Linnets restore Steele to attack

By Dave Bettley

Runcorn Linnets have raised the stakes ahead of tonight's big promotion clash against Lower Breck by resigning James Steele from Prescot Cables.

James, 25, previously made ten appearances for Linnets (with one goal), having initially joined us from Widnes in the first week of December 2021.

His two months under Calum McIntyre were spent mostly as an attacking midfielder.

Later rejoining Widnes, James established himself as one of the leading strikers in NPL West, sharing in their title success in 2024-25.

He this morning became the third player from that championship-winning squad to link up with us.

James is reunited with ex-DCBL Stadium team-mates Sean Miller and Matty Rain and Runcorn's former Widnes assistant boss Lee Bignell.

Leading Widnes's scoring charts in each of the last two seasons, he plundered 35 goals in 84 appearances in all.

James moved to NPL Premier Division club Prescot in the summer but has struggled for game time, having seven outings without a goal.

He spent his early career as an Academy player with Port Vale.

James also represented Newcastle Town before first signing for Widnes in 2019 while also serving City of Liverpool - his original destination on departing Linnets in February 2022.

Runcorn boss Brad Cooke said: "I’m delighted to get James on board.

"It’s probably the only area where I have actively been looking. He’s a goalscoring midfielder, who has title-winning experience after scoring 17 last season for Widnes.

"He’s a local lad, who knows the club and a lot of the players.

"He will add to our frontline options and will add more goals. I look forward to working with him."

FLASHBACK - James Steele first joined Runcorn Linnets four years and four days ago.