New playing kits are unveiled

Runcorn Linnets will break with tradition but also return to our roots with the choice of club playing shirts for the next two seasons.

For the home shirt, Trust members have opted to replace the yellow and green hoops, which the first team adopted for the move "back" to Runcorn in 2010.

The new shirt will be yellow with green shading and trim.

This was selected from a shortlist of four home shirts, including two of hooped design.

The away shirt is black and white stripes.

This is a throwback to the first kit worn by predecessor Linnets, Runcorn AFC on formation in 1918.

Our shirts will continue to be made by O’Neills, who were founded in the same year, and are now established as Ireland’s biggest sportswear brand.

The winning home design was favoured by 39% of voters while the away shirt, also chosen from four possibles, polled 55%.

Both again carry the names and branding of our two current shirt sponsors.

Complete Security Service (CSS), based in Frodsham, feature on the front while Grangeside of Runcorn, whose auto repair centre is in Weston Village, appear on the back.

Likewise, Gummy Vitamins continue as short sponsor. Shorts will be green (home kit) and black (away).

Home and away replica shirts will be available for pre-order and full details will be released later in the week.

Peter Cartledge, chairman of Runcorn Linnets, said: "Thanks to our Trust members and the kit designers from O'Neills, we have two very smart and striking new playing shirts.

"Our new home shirt has a contemporary look and brings a return to a largely yellow shirt with green trim.

"This is along the similar lines to shirts worn in our first four seasons as tenants of Witton Albion FC prior to coming home to take up residence at what is now APEC Taxis Stadium.

"The away shirt is a new departure for Runcorn Linnets in terms of its colours and also the striped design. But it pays homage to the town's original football club, which was formed immediately after the First World War as successors to Runcorn's Northern Union rugby club.

"Runcorn AFC won the Lancashire FA Junior Cup in 1918-19 and were founder champions of the Cheshire County League in the following season.

“We hope this updated version of their inaugural kit will be just as successful for us.

"We are grateful to our three playing strip sponsors for extending their existing deals and to O'Neills for their help and support with the design process.

"Both shirts were chosen by a large percentage of Trust members to take us forward.

“We are sure that the replicas will prove very popular with our supporters and be worn with pride at the Stadium, around town and further afield."