RUNCORN LINNETS CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

● Men’s League Campaign

WHAT a way to start our league campaign, with over 700 people inside the newly named APEC Taxis Stadium, to watch us run out 2-0 winners against Halton rivals Widnes, with great goals from both Lawrence Smith and Ryan Brooke.

It really was amazing to see so many people in the ground to watch the Linnets and I have to admit to feeling a tremendous sense of relief when I saw just how many were there.

So many people have put in so much hard work over the last few months and whilst I was hoping for a good crowd, no one was really expecting so many.

It was my first competitive game as chairman and whilst I’m happy with how it went, myself and the board have already learnt lessons from it.

We need to ensure we get everyone in the ground before kick off and not run out of draught beer!

Tuesday night was not the result we were hoping for against Glossop but we can’t dwell on it and must now look forward to the FA Cup game against Avro.

I love the FA Cup and I am hoping for a good run in the competition, we all remember what happened to Marine after they beat us on penalties.

● Foodbank donations

I wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated to the foodbank collection at Saturday’s game against Widnes, you donated six shopping bags full of goods.

We will be working closely with the foodbank over the season with a donation point at every home game and we’ll also have some charity tins for spare change.

● Season Tickets

MOST season tickets were collected at the Widnes game. For those season ticket holders who didn’t attend on Saturday, you can collect them at the next home game you attend and we will have your name on the turnstile so you can gain entry.

● New Stadium Sponsor

I am absolutely delighted that we have signed a three year deal with APEC Taxis to rename the stadium the APEC Taxis Stadium. I know I said this in my last update but this is now the biggest commercial deal the club has ever signed and I wanted to say another massive thank you to our commercial team who have worked so hard to make this happen.

APEC are a brilliant local business and have been supporters of the club for many years now and I am looking forward to working with them for many years to come.