New-look Under 21s ready for lift-off!

Runcorn Linners Under 21s' third season in the North West Development League since re-formation gets under way tomorrow with the visit of Ashton Town.

It's a noon kick-off at APEC Taxis Stadium.

With the first team not being in action on Saturday, it's a chance for our fans to get their weekend football fix by supporting Linnets' rising stars.

The team has an exciting new look for this latest chapter.

A third-placed Premier Division finish last season came on the back of promotion in 2024-25 as Championship B league and cup winners.

With familiar players, now out of the agegroup, having moved on boss Ste Ellams has been busy overseeing the evolution of the squad, spending the summer identifying and recruiting new talent.

This has involved the integration of players from our Under 18s and others new to the club.

The manager, assistant Jono Harrison and coach Adam Moseley are sure that all will make a big impression in the coming months.

Midfielder Owen Cushion has been named as the new U21s captain with full back Callum Prince and midfielder Zack Kopanski his deputies.

Six newcomers are in line to make their league debuts for Linnets this Sunday, either as starters or off the bench.

They join a nucleus of the squad, which did so well on top-flight debut in 2025-26 - finishing level on points with runners-up Stalybridge Celtic, six points behind champions Warrington Town.

The highlight of last season was doing the double over the league winners.

The division has been reduced from eleven teams to ten with Warrington Town defending their crown.

Stalybridge and Hyde United are not involved this time around, having resigned from the competition along with Charnock Richard, who finished bottom last season.

Sunday's opponents Ashton Town are one of the teams stepping up from the Championship divisions.

The others are Prestwich Heys, Bury and Vauxhall Motors while Stockport Town are now known as Cheadle Town Reds.

Admission to our U21s games is free of charge.