Phil scales new heights in support of Linnets 3G pitch project

By Dave Bettley

A Runcorn Linnets football coach is helping to lift his club's facilities to the next level by trekking to the base camp of Mount Everest!

Linnets are fundraising for a new artificial pitch at Halton Sports Playing Fields to boost training and playing opportunities for their teams at all age groups.

Phil Cottle, who coaches Linnets Under 11s Oranges, is doing more than his bit to support the club's ambitious campaign for the full-sized 3G playing field.

It would also be available for community use.

The intrepid 39-year-old has launched his own gofundme page to raise money for the club ahead of his Himalayan expedition early next month.

He said: 'I am a coach at Runcorn Linnets Juniors and the club are taking an exciting step of installing a new 3G pitch, which will allow year-round play for all sections of the club and be a great asset for the community.

"I am attempting the 130km trek to Mount Everest base camp.

"Hopefully, I can raise some money to go towards a briliant project at a great club.

"Any donation would be hugely appreciated, no matter how small. It all helps."

Phil's mission begins on October 11th when he flies to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, and then onto Lukla in the north east of the country.

He will trek through Phakding and Namche Bazaar, up to Gorak Shep and finally to Everest Base Camp, before retracing his steps back to Lukla and return to Kathmandu

Phil explained: "It's a multi-day trek that is around 130km, with the altitude going up to just under 6,000m. I'll be away for about 30 days, door to door.

"I heard about someone doing it years back and it was always something that stuck in my mind.

"I'm turning 40 this year so thought it was time for a big adventure.

"I've always been active and liked anything outdoors but this is a level up again from anything I've done before.

"I've been doing the usual training you'd expect, fitness work.

"I did Pen Y Fan in South Wales earlier this year. I've also been training with a machine to train my body for the altitude."

Linnets launched the major 3G fundraising drive in late July.

The club hopes to access grant funding but needs to contribute £160,000 itself.

Senior, youth and junior sections are committed to supporting the ambitious scheme.

But it requires a huge effort from fans, other stakeholders and local business with an interest in boosting sporting provision in the town.

Runcorn's APEC Taxis Stadium is surrounded by junior grass pitches but usage is such that the 3G surface is essential to match the club's growth and increasing numbers of young players keen to sign up.

Part of the club's pledge as a community benefit society, the 3G would be available for hire by other clubs and organisations.

It would revolutionise the way Linnets operate, particularly during winter months when grass pitches need protection and might be weather-affected.

All support will encourage talented players including hundreds of ambitious Juniors boys and girls, to achieve their goals while opening up possibilities for the club to expand.

Additional activities such as disabilities and walking football would further the club's reputation as a fully-inclusive organisation seeking to promote a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing through involvement in sport.

Find out more about the 3G project.