Successful Non-League Day For Linnets
Wed 14th October 2015 | Runcorn Linnets | By Ian Templeman
Matt Atherton’s stoppage-time clincher in a 2-1 victory over Silsden added the finishing touch to a successful Non-League Day for Runcorn Linnets.
The Linnets had offered half-price adult admission of £3 to season-ticket holders of Premier League and Championship clubs, whose own teams were without games due to an international break, and extended the same deal to those with season tickets for professional Rugby League clubs and members of the Armed Forces.
Represented on the terraces were season-ticket holders (and other regular supporters) of Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa plus RL season-ticket holders from Widnes Vikings and St Helens.
One youngster on whom the day clearly made a lasting impression is 11-year-old Ben Nuttall. A first-year secondary pupil at The Grange School, Runcorn, Ben was immediately struck by the interaction Non-League fans enjoy with club officials and players.
A Manchester United season-ticket holder, he attended the game with his uncle Ste Bignall, who has a strong family allegiance to the Linnets.
Ste’s brother Mike and Mike’s son Sam are also keen supporters with Sam being mascot for Linnets recent home game against Lairds – on his 10th birthday.
Ste said: “This was Ben’s first Linnets game and he will definitely be coming again – he loved it and has shown a real interest in the club already.”
The club presented Ben with a Linnets ball along and a yellow and green scarf to mark his “debut”.
Ste added: “Ben was impressed that he got to speak to a club chairman (Linnets’ Derek Greenwood) and has been showing off his ball and scarf on his Instagram account!
“He also started training with Linnets under 12s in the week, he is a goalie. He was made up that he got to ‘high five’ the players before and after the game. That was one of his favourite bits!”
Linnets chairman Derek Greenwood said: “Our old friends from Silsden are always welcome at The Millbank Linnets Stadium and we were also pleased to see a good many new faces coming through the turnstiles.
“Although the game was a bit of a nerve jangler to say the least and perhaps better suited to the neutral rather than the committed, we managed to grab an important victory in the end!
“It was good to see scarves, flags and colours of our illustrious neighbours mingled in with our own and those of Silsden and while, as ever, thanking our regular fans for their continued and valued support, we hope that those visiting us for the first time will be encouraged to return whenever they have a spare date or opportunity in the future.”
Man United season ticket holder Ben Nuttall, 11, is pictured with a scarf and ball he was presented with by Runcorn Linnets on his first visit to The Millbank Linnets Stadium.
Successful Non-League Day For Linnets
Wed 14th October 2015 | Runcorn Linnets
By Ian Templeman
Matt Atherton’s stoppage-time clincher in a 2-1 victory over Silsden added the finishing touch to a successful Non-League Day for Runcorn Linnets.
The Linnets had offered half-price adult admission of £3 to season-ticket holders of Premier League and Championship clubs, whose own teams were without games due to an international break, and extended the same deal to those with season tickets for professional Rugby League clubs and members of the Armed Forces.
Represented on the terraces were season-ticket holders (and other regular supporters) of Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa plus RL season-ticket holders from Widnes Vikings and St Helens.
One youngster on whom the day clearly made a lasting impression is 11-year-old Ben Nuttall. A first-year secondary pupil at The Grange School, Runcorn, Ben was immediately struck by the interaction Non-League fans enjoy with club officials and players.
A Manchester United season-ticket holder, he attended the game with his uncle Ste Bignall, who has a strong family allegiance to the Linnets.
Ste’s brother Mike and Mike’s son Sam are also keen supporters with Sam being mascot for Linnets recent home game against Lairds – on his 10th birthday.
Ste said: “This was Ben’s first Linnets game and he will definitely be coming again – he loved it and has shown a real interest in the club already.”
The club presented Ben with a Linnets ball along and a yellow and green scarf to mark his “debut”.
Ste added: “Ben was impressed that he got to speak to a club chairman (Linnets’ Derek Greenwood) and has been showing off his ball and scarf on his Instagram account!
“He also started training with Linnets under 12s in the week, he is a goalie. He was made up that he got to ‘high five’ the players before and after the game. That was one of his favourite bits!”
Linnets chairman Derek Greenwood said: “Our old friends from Silsden are always welcome at The Millbank Linnets Stadium and we were also pleased to see a good many new faces coming through the turnstiles.
“Although the game was a bit of a nerve jangler to say the least and perhaps better suited to the neutral rather than the committed, we managed to grab an important victory in the end!
“It was good to see scarves, flags and colours of our illustrious neighbours mingled in with our own and those of Silsden and while, as ever, thanking our regular fans for their continued and valued support, we hope that those visiting us for the first time will be encouraged to return whenever they have a spare date or opportunity in the future.”
Man United season ticket holder Ben Nuttall, 11, is pictured with a scarf and ball he was presented with by Runcorn Linnets on his first visit to The Millbank Linnets Stadium.