Linnets unveil curtainraisers for eighth Northern Premier League campaign

Our pre-season fixtures will bring reunions with two modern-day Linnets Legends as we travel to clubs managed by our record appearances holder and a former boss.

There are seven games planned in the build-up to the 2025-26 Pitching In Northern Premier League West campaign.

Six are already confirmed with the final match to be arranged.

We kick off on Tuesday, July 8th with what has been a regular summer jaunt to Euxton Villa, managed by Matt Atherton.

Athers, who made 313 appearances for the Yellow & Greens with 60 goals, remains a huge favourute with Linnets fans and is doing a terrific job at Euxton.

He steered them from the West Lancashire League into the North West Counties and now, after three seasons, into its Premier Division.

Villa secured promotion through the 2024-25 Play-offs, beating Droylsden away from home in the final.

We then head to Hyde United for our first Saturday fixture on July 12th - having only recently hosted the NPL Premier outfit on our way to Cheshire Senior Cup glory.

Our maiden home outing ahead of August's league kick-off will see our ever-popular ex-manager Calum McIntyre back in town on Tuesday, July 15th.

Cal's Chester team narrowly missed promotion to the National League after an extra-time loss at Scunthorpe United in National North's Play-off Final.

We will break new ground on Saturday, July 19th for our first trip to FC St Helens, who finished eighth in NWCL Premier Division last time around.

The clubs have never met but FC St Helens play at SMS PRO Soccer Park in Windleshaw Road, Dentons Green. 

Our fifth pre-season opponents are no strangers.

Former West Division rivals Prescot Cables are to entertain us on Friday, July 25th. Their 10th placing first time out in NPL Premier was highly creditable.

Tuesday, July 29th brings us back to APEC Taxis Stadium for a special friendly with our new tenants Northwich Victoria.

This will give Vics further chance to get the feel of their adopted home after hosting a Midland League Premier Division fixture at Murdishaw in April.

We took forward to welcoming everyone from Northwich as our association begins in earnest.

We expect to round off pre-season with a third home game on Saturday, August 2nd and will update fans once we have any further news.

The NPL West season, which will be our eighth as a Step 4 club, opens on Saturday, August 9th.