Paul McKiernon is named Linnets Ladies manager

Paul McKiernon, top, with new assistant Dave Bentham, bottom right, and coach Jack Slater.

Runcorn Linnets Ladies have a new management team in place for the 2026-27 season.

Paul McKiernon has been installed as manager. He succeeds Tom Dyson, who left the role last month.

Paul is UEFA B qualified with previous coaching experience within the women’s game at Tranmere Rovers, and Stockport County, as well as past coaching roles at Newcastle Town, and Northwich Vics.

Paul now coaches at South Liverpool FC, in the North West Counties League and returns to Linnets after previously leading one of our girls' teams to cup and league title success.

Some of the current Ladies team were coached by Paul within the junior section.

Paul will be assisted by Dave Bentham, who is also the girls' secretary at Linnets JFC and coaches two of our girls' teams.

Jack Slater stays in the Ladies' team backroom as coach.

New for this season is an Under 17s girls' side, which will hopefully evolve into a Development Team - providing a vital link between the girls' and women's teams.

Linnets Ladies host their first home match of the Division One South campaign at APEC Taxis Stadium this Wednesday (August 19th), against MSB Woolton Women (ko 7.30pm).

This is the only home fixture in August.

The other two in the league are away - to West Didsbury & Chorlton Women Reserves (Wednesday 26th) and Chester FC Women (Sunday 30th).

On Sunday August 23rd, the team will visit Curzon Ashton Women in the Adobe Women's FA Cup, with the winners travelling to Atherton LR Ladies on Sunday, September 6th.