McManus gone as Town and boss part ways Runcorn manager departs ‘by mutual consent’
RUNCORN Town have this week confirmed the departure of first team manager Paul McManus by mutual consent.
The 31-year old has been at Runcorn Town since September 2016 as a player, and was appointed as manager after Chris Herbert’s departure in February 2019.
He appeared onfield 162 times for the club, and has managed 93 games.
He made the decision with club officials on Tuesday evening.
McManus said: “It is one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. I love this football club.
“The supporters and the committee have been superb to me since I first arrived.
“However, we feel that now is the right time for the club to have a change in order to propel us up the table.
“As a player and as a manager, I have always done what I feel is in the best interests of this football club.
“This decision is no different and I wish the club all the best.”
Chairman Lindsay Berry said: “We have a huge amount of respect for Macca which is why this is so difficult.
“He ensured a top-seven finish for us after taking over from Chris Herbert, and the next two seasons were very challenging with the Covid-19 pandemic affecting both of them.
“This season hasn’t gone to plan so far but it’s such a competitive division that a run can move us up the league.
“We have had discussions at length over the last few days, and all agreed that this is the right decision.
“Macca will leave with our thanks and our best wishes and will always be welcome at the Viridor Community Stadium.
“We hope he enjoys some much deserved time with his young family.”
McManus departs on a winning note, the 3-0 win at Squires Gate at the weekend ending a sixgame winless run.
A statement on the club’s website added: “A further announcement on next steps and the rest of the management team will be announced in due course.”
Town are at home on Saturday against Charnock Richard and have a midweek Cheshire Senior Cup tie against Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday evening.
CALUM McIntyre was able to celebrate a positive week for Runcorn Linnets which saw his side return to winning ways in the Northern Premier League Division One West and progress to the next round of the FA Trophy.
A Ryan Brooke double on Tuesday evening proved enough to see off Newcastle Town at the Millbank Linnets Stadium and McIntyre said it was an important result for the club given the fact they had lost to Bootle and drawn with City of Liverpool in their previous two outings.
“It’s disappointing to go back-to-back league games without winning and we couldn’t afford for it to become three,” he said.
“We’ve had almost a change in schedule recently with cup games and we had to make sure we won on Tuesday night to make sure we arrested a frustrating little spell in the league.
“So I’m really pleased and it gives up the opportunity on Saturday to follow it up with another home game and looking to make it back to back home wins.”
This weekend Linnets entertain a Ramsbottom United side without a win in their last six games in all competitions.
New signing Lloyd Marsh-Hughes, whocompleted a loan move from Chester on Monday and came off the bench in Tuesday’s win against Newcastle, will be hoping to get more minutes under his belt.
“Lloyd adds a different dimension to our attack, he will allow us to be something slightly different and I’m really pleased that he is with us for the next three months,” said McIntyre.
“He will do his talking on the pitch and he showed in glimpses on Tuesday what he can be and we look forward to seeing more of that.”
Last Saturday, Linnets eased into the next round of the Buildbase FA Trophy with a 5-1 victory at Tadcaster Albion.
Linnets were 4-0 up by the break with Brooke firing another brace and Jacques Welsh and Rhain Hellawell also on target. Eden Gumbs added a fifth after the break.
“We’re pleased to go through, that’s what the cup competitions are all about,” said McIntyre. “To have played well and gone through in the FA Trophy is what we came for.
“I thought we were outstanding in the first period. Out of possession we were rarely troubled, in possession we showed a lot of different sides to our game.
“I was delighted with the first half, the second half becomes what it becomes when you are 4-0 up at half time, but generally we’re just pleased to progress and be in the hat for the next round.”
Linnets have been handed an attractive draw in the next round of the competition against FC United of Manchester at home.
The tie will take place on Saturday 30th October.