Boss wants "two or three" more signings after hectic summer

Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley

Runcorn Linnets manager Michael Ellison has hinted his recruitment isn't yet complete as pre-season fast approaches.

The APEC Taxis Stadium boss has brought in nine new signings so far this summer but there are likely to be more to follow.

With top players such as Ryan Brooke, Joe Ferguson, Harvey Washington, Naim Arsan and Scott Bakkor moving on, Ellison has already overseen a big squad turnover as he prepares for his first full campaign after returning as Linnets boss in January.

"I still feel we need two or three (more) in important areas," said Ellison. 

"We're working on them and we're on the phone every day. I just feel it will be near the season. We lost out on a couple of lads, who went to Step 2 and Step 3.

"When those lads start filtering down towards the start of the season, I think we'll be in the best position to snap them up."

The manager has so far signed goalkeeper Calvin Hare, defenders Ollie Southern, Ed Jones, Scott Holding and Kian Bell, attacking midfielder Nick Rushton and frontmen Elliot Morris, Conor Harwood and Lewis Buckley.

Ellison has hailed the impact of the club's new head of recruitment Brian Richardson, who had a significant input in the acquisitions made so far.

Richardson brings an impressive and varied CV, which includes spells as manager at Runcorn's now league rivals Prescot Cables and Bootle.

"It's been a busy few weeks but important. We have got some good business done," added Ellison.

"I have known Bri a long time. Obviously, he's been around the game for a very long time and I have never known anyone say a bad word about him.

"I have tried to bring him in before at previous clubs but the timing wasn't right.

"I have been quoted as saying a lot of times that the toughest thing is recruitment. Knowing what you want is the easy thing, actually getting them is the tough bit."

Richardson, who joins after serving last season's Northern Premier League West champions Bury in a similar role, will also have a major part to play on matchdays and the training ground.

"Brian's experience will be invaluable and I just feel it will be another good addition to an already strong management team," said Ellison.

The manager meanwhile stressed that an important consideration when bringing in players is their attitude and personality.

"That's a non-negotiable," he said. "You've got to fit the bill on and off the pitch. You've got to be right type of lad, have the right mentality and be the right type of person.

"All the lads we have signed, retained - and again the lads who have left - they are are all top lads. No idiots. It's a big, big thing for us.

"If you're going to be at the top end of the table, you need everybody pulling in the right direction.

"You need them to buy into what you want to and I have no doubt these new signings will do that."

Runcorn's warm-up programme begins on Saturday, July 11th with a home fixture against FC United of Manchester.