Revitalised Bayleigh is with Linnets for keeps

On arrival as Runcorn Linnets' manager in February, Brad Cooke had been quick to reassure Bayleigh Passant that he was his No.1

It was a vote of confidence, which prompted the 'keeper to reproduce his best form - Bayleigh putting firmly behind him the loss of the shirt and a subsequent loan spell at Glossop North End.

Now the resurgent 'keeper has repaid his boss's faith by indicating that he is going nowhere this summer.

Those early-season disappointments had almost led to Bayleigh quitting the club.

But with the encouragement of then goalkeeper coach Dave Piercey, who recently departed for a new challenge in Japan, and the boss's unequivocal backing, the season ended on a high for the former Tranmere Rovers shotstopper.

Bayleigh, who had shared duties between the sticks in the first half of the season with Manchester United loanee Tom Myles, capitalised on Myles's recall to Old Trafford at New Year.

An unbroken run of 23 appearances, starting with the 1-1 draw at eventual champions Widnes has fully restored the player's confidence.

Like all goalkeepers, Bayleigh is well used to being in the spotlight but in between his two Runcorn stints - the first on loan from Tranmere - a spell at Marine saw him take centre stage in an FA Cup third-round glamour tie against Tottenham Hotspur.

Bayleigh dreams of enjoying such a glory run again with Linnets but whatever lies ahead, he will resume in August with clear and realistic ambitions.

He said: "I’m made up to be staying at Runcorn for the upcoming season.

"Hopefully we can build on winning the Cheshire Senior Cup last season with a view to getting promoted and me hitting a personal milestone of 100-plus games at this club."

The second objective is highly likely to be achieved in the first week of 2025-26.

A clean sheet in this month's historic Cheshire final - two years after thwarting Linnets in a penalty shootout as Marine lifted Liverpool's equivalent trophy - left the 24-year-old two appearancds away from a century of Linnets appearances.

Manager Brad Cooke said: "Me and Sadz (assistant manager Rob Sadler) have come up against Bails a lot in the past and we have always come away from the game wishing he was in our net.

"He has promotion experience, and has won plenty of trophies. We need that moving forward.

"A fit Bails is the best in the division, and that’s what we need if we are to challenge. I’m made up he is staying, we believe in him and we know we can get the best out of him."