Home is where the heart is - and Eden Gumbs is more than happy to stay local

As a local lad, playing for Runcorn means a lot to Eden Gumbs.

With his consistently good performances and commitment to to the cause, it's no wonder that he's very much a hero with Linnets supporters.

They will be delighted to learn that versatile Eden is signing on for another season with his hometown club.

Eden has earned a reputation for being able to operate in a variety of positions.

His most regular berths have been in central midfield or wide on the left but he's even played at centre forward.

It's at left back, however, that he's most recently excelled, winning plaudits from manager Brad Cooke on returning from injury to star at No.3 in our recent Cheshire Senior Cup final victory.

Eden comes from a multi-talented Runcorn sporting family, although football is a particular passion.

Brother Evan plays for Warrington Town - the pair briefly starred together for Linnets approaching four years ago, when the older sibling was on loan at APEC Taxis Stadium .

Younger brother Eneil is also in the Runcorn ranks, a stylish midfield player in our double-winning Under 21s side.

Eden graduated from the same agegroup side in its previous incarnation.

His first-team breakthrough came immediately post lockdown in 2021-22, when Eden made 21 appearances with three goals.

He's now a well-established team member, who has 146 Linnets games behind him, netting 14 times.

There is plenty of scope for the popular and personable 23-year-old, who in his youth played college soccer in the Unifed States, to significantly increase those numbers.

That's not great news for his opponents who have found Eden to be a very tough opponent. His physical strength means he is difficult to knock off the ball and he has great game awareness.

Eden Gumbs said: "It was an easy decision to stay with this group and now after winning a cup, it's time to push on and go one step further."

Manager Brad Cooke said: "Eden has been a standout performer since we joined. I feel that he has made the full back position his own even though he can play in many other positions.

"As a Runcorn lad he is pivotal to our success, a great lad on and of the pitch.

"I’m delighted to be working and spending time with him over the next season. He has a bright future ahead."