Now it’s time for real thing McIntyre focused on first game - not successful pre-season
CALUM McIntyre celebrated a successful preseason for Runcorn Linnets but warned it will mean nothing come the big kick-off this weekend.
Linnets take on Widnes FC in the opening game of the Northern Premier League Division One West having won seven of their nine warm up matches, the latest against Shepshed Dynamo.
McIntyre is pleased with what he’s seen on and off the field – but said that would count for little
● Runcorn Linnets have unveiled Complete Security Service (CSS) as senior men’s front-ofshirt sponsor.
Based in Frodsham, they are specialist installers of domestic and commercial intruder alarms, fire alarms, door access, CCTV and security lighting.
In an initial three-year deal, the new sponsor will have branding on the front of both the Linnets yellow and green home shirts and also the change kit of orange and black for all Men’s first-team games, home and away.
This will bring CSS valuable exposure not only in Northern Premier League matches across the region but also potentially further afield for games in the prestigious Emirates FA when his side face off against Widnes.
“A strong pre-season doesn’t necessarily stand us in good stead – I think if we’d have lost seven games and played better than we have done or won nine games but played really poorly, it’s all just about putting building blocks in place for the season and I think we’ve done that,” he said.
“I’m really pleased on the whole with what pre-season has looked like, the way that the players have acquitted themselves and they have really given us something to think about over the next week or so.
“In terms of recruitment, we’ve been able to bring players to the club we wanted to get in, we’ve
Cup and Buildbase FA Trophy as well as their Cheshire heartland area when the Linnets play in the County FA Senior Cup.
Jim McGrath, proprietor of CSS, said: “We are thrilled at being able to support Runcorn Linnets as shirt sponsor. We are very impressed with the set-up at the club and the progress it has made, particularly since it returned to Runcorn 11 years ago. Like ourselves, the Linnets are proud to be part of the local community and I am sure that together we can both continue to achieve big things.”
Dave Jones, chairman of Runcorn Linnets, said: “As a fan owned club, our aspirations and ambitions are heavily reliant on the backing of supporters and sponsors and we are very been able to work with the lads we wished to retain, so the results in pre-season aren’t really relevant for us, certainly in terms of the fact there’s no prizes given out for pre-season.
“It’s not my job to get excited or disappointed about pre-season, it’s my job to make sure that, come Saturday, we are ready for the start of a long campaign, to ensure we are the best we can be week after week.”
The 1-0 win at Shedshed put the cap on a fine preparation programme for McIntyre and offered the opportunity for some squad bonding.
“I’m really pleased, it brings to an end a really good pre-season,” he said. “We knew what we wanted it to look like in terms of fortunate to have found a new Men’s first-team shirt sponsor in CSS.
“We are extremely grateful to owner Jim games, who we played and when, and it was right to finish pre-season with a side at the same standard as us. It was a long away trip and the chance to get the boys together and be in each other’s company a little bit longer than we might have done with some of the home fixtures and the local away games.
“I was really pleased with the performance and what it is, it was something a little bit different and it felt more like being closer to the start of the season than some of our early friendlies.
“It’s important that we give our supporters something to cheer and give ourselves an opportunity to get three points towards our points target first and foremost staying in the division.”
McGrath, for the faith his company is showing in the club and for their very valuable support. This agreement is for three