Players Stik to Linnets for the new campaign
RUNCORN LINNETS’plans on the field have been bolstered with more players committing to the club’s first cause in the Evo-Stik League.
The star of last season’s title show at the club will help Linnets really fit the bill on his return to a bigger stage.
Central defender Jimmy Moore was named 2017-18 Player of the Year by both the supporters and his teammates as Linnets carried off the Hallmark Security League Premier Division title.
It means that Michael Ellison’s defensive unit continues to take great shape with three regulars in the back four having now committed for the forthcoming campaign.
Louis Corrigan and Aaron Morris had already indicated they are staying on board.
With experienced 30-year-old Moore now following suit, propects in terms of team planning continue to look very positive for manager Ellison.
Moore previously played Northern Premier League football for Trafford and the move to Linnets last summer, after a stint at Abbey Hey, reinvigorated a senior career which began at 17 at Glossop North End.
“Jimmy had a fantastic first season with us as his trophy haul at our end-ofseason presentations illustrated,” said Ellison.
“You don’t win player of the year trophies by accident and to take the vote of both the fans and players in the same season only goes to show that he was outstanding in a title-winning team.
“He was a revelation at centre-back ● and knowing him as I do, he will be determined not to let his standards slip.
“He is so strong and quick but perhaps above all, a great reader of the game, who always seems to be able to sense and snuff out danger equally quickly.”
Ellison added: “Jimmy really enjoys the atmosphere in and around the club and I am really made up that he is moving up with us into the Evo-Stik.”
Playing just ahead of Moore, holding midfielder Kieran Nolan is also staying with Linnets with manager Ellison equally delighted.
“Kieran is still only 21 but prior to joining us in January of last year when he was just short of his 20th birthday, he had been captain of Northwich Vics in the Evo-Stik League,” said Ellison. “That tells you an awful lot. “He had been a centre-half at Vics and has slotted in there for us the odd time during games.
“But for me, he is perfectly suited to the holding midfield role and he has done a great job for us in there.
“Kieran is growing as a player, proving himself to be a good learner in different aspects. I am sure he will be looking to continue that development as he steps back up to the Evo-Stik League.”
Meantime, goalkeepers Dylan Forth and Matt Holmes have both confirmed they are willing and ready to continue contesting the No.1 shirt in the newlypromoted team.
Forth ended the club’s title-winning Hallmark Security League Premier Division season in pole position, after joining for the last two months.
A string of impressive performances saw him grab the Linnets’ Millbank player of the month award for April.
However, the young ex-Aston Villa shotstopper will again have Matt Holmes for company in the goalkeeping department at Runcorn.
Holmes has likewise performed to a consistently high level in his time with Runcorn.
The battle between the two is certain to keep both players on their toes and that can only bode well for boss Ellison.
“We want strong competition for places at the club and the goalkeeping role is no different to any other position,” said Ellison.
“Both Dylan and Matt have excellent all-round games and have already shown our fans that they are more than capable of holding down a regular place in the side and doing well for us.
“Whoever starts the season will know full well that they have someone equally able waiting in the wings.
“I am sure there will again be healthy competition between the pair of them. Long may it continue.”