Man for all seasons Peter Wylie extends his 202-game Linnets career

Linnets' reigning Supporters Club Player of the Year Peter Wylie has given Brad Cooke's planning a big thumbs up with his decision to sign on for the 2025-26 season.

The awards Peter won last season are testimony to his importance to the club - he also took the Players' Player and Chairman's trophies - but his influence goes way beyond one season.

If you exclude the campaign he spent away from the club with City of Liverpool, Peter is our longest-serving player.

A club captain in his initial spell, Peter isn't one for big statements off the pitch, preferring to do his talking on it.

But when he speaks, others tend to listen.

His reaction to agreeing a new Runcorn deal was typically matter of fact but succinct.

"I’m made up to be back for another season and it was a no brainier due to Brad retaining the core of the squad," said Peter.

"I’m sure the lads, like me, are keen to build on last season's Cheshire Senior Cup."

Peter's involvement goes way back to the start of our Pitching In Northern Premier League adventure as he was drafted in for the second league game of 2018-19 season - a 2-1 home win over Chasetown.

He has gone on to make 202 appearances with 184 starts.

He is only the sixth Runcorn Linnets player to reach a double century.

Peter's goal against Tranmere Rovers is one of only a handful of Linnets strikes by the 32-year-old defender. But the player whose standards never fall according to boss Brad Cooke contributes in so many ways.

Goals have been in short supply for the experienced campaigner, who launched his career at Blackburn Rovers, playing in the 2012 FA Youth Cup final against Chelsea, before moving into non-league and playing at Step 2 with Stalybridge Celtic.

Last term's Liverpool Senior Cup strike against Tranmere Rovers caused shockwaves, being just a fifth for Peter in Linnets colours and his first since 2019.

But while Peter's scoring ability might be questionable, there is no doubting his defensive prowess.

He's a great organiser, who never appears to get flustered, and he reads the game so well that he's invariably in the right place at the correct time.

Manager Brad Cooke said: "Peter Wylie is everything you want in a player.

"His standards never drop, I was so happy for him when he cleaned up at the awards. I don’t think he appreciates how important he is to the group.

"We appreciate him and I’m delighted he is staying. To be successful you need players like Wylie.

Peter Wylie receives one of his three 2024-25 end-of-season awards from chairman Peter Cartledge.