Runcorn Linnets seek to emulate the town's Cheshire Senior Cup pioneers - 100 years on

Dave Bettley previews the forthcoming Cheshire Senior Cup final.

Runcorn Linnets are looking to complete an historic "double" in the Cheshire Senior Cup with this season's competition having already thrown up an amazing coincidence.

They are first-time finalists in the county's premier cup tournament 100 years since the original town club Runcorn AFC contested their inaugural Cheshire final.

A 1-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra in 1925 was celebrated, only eight years after the tannery-owned club's formation on the resumption of sporting activity at the end of World War One.

The 1925 Runcorn team which won the Senior Cup 100 years ago. Back row: C Bradbury, trainer, J Berry, T Coleman, J Peet, R Done, J Kane, J Bazley, secretary, A Richardson, trainer. Front: J Hanson, E Bullock, J McGivney, E Spencer, captain, A Smith, J Benyon. The image is taken from a small trade card with a Runcorn Weekly News copyright photo.

This had seen association football take over from Runcorn's Northern Union rugby team, which had in 1895 been founder members of what evolved into the Rugby Football League.

"We'd love nothing more than to repeat history," said Brad Cooke, who leads the team into Tuesday's final against Stalybridge Celtic with eyes on his first trophy as Linnets boss.

Cooke has already overseen wins over 1874 Northwich (6-1) and Hyde United (2-1), both at home, in the quarter-finals and semis, with Linnets having won away to Witton Albion (3-0) and at home against Vauxhall Motors (2-1) in the earlier rounds - prior to their manager's February arrival.

Their opponents in the final Stalybridge Celtic finished sixth in Pitching In Northern Premier League West - four points away from the play-offs.

An end-of-season form dip, which followed effective elimination from the promotion race, has seen Runcorn ending up 11th, this being their first time outside the top six in five completed campaigns at Step 4.

But the two league games against Stalybridge in 2024-25 resulted in Runcorn wins with Linnets both times overturning two-goal deficits to prevail.

Cooke faces selection issues since centre back Callum Grogan, striker Lewis Crane are cup-tied while on-loan midfielder Reece Daly is ineligible, having not been registered with the club at the time of the semi-finals.

Key midfielder Karl Clair suffered a new injury setback when stretchered off on Saturday's 1-0 league defeat at Hednesford Town.

He was only two games into his comeback after an eight-week absence with knee trouble.

However, Jorge Dwyer was in good form as he came off the bench to replace stricken Clair, himself a substitute, at Keys Park.

Josh Elverstone, like Dwyer a product of the club's U21s, rejoined the squad at Hednesford, having not seen any first-team involvement since the end of October.

Ryan Brooke will lead the line with memories still fresh of his match-turning two goal display when Celtic visited APEC Taxis Stadium in late March.

Brooke's second and decisive goal in the Linnets' 3-2 victory made the striker the club's all-time leading scorer.

Qualification for the Cheshire final earlier on the same month gave Linnets fans something to look forward to at the end of the season.

Their focus only sharpened with the end of their outside Play-off hopes and Liverpool Senior Cuo defeat at Anfield's Lower Breck in the semi-finals.

Runcorn Linnets manager Brad Cooke.

Manager Cooke added: "Having reached this stage, it is important that we turn in a good performance for our outstanding supporters and do our utmost to take the cup home."

Matchnight arrangements:

Admission to the final is by ticket only.

Runcorn Linnets fans can still purchase through the club's online ticketing partner Kaizen.

The full address of the final venue is Chester FC, Deva Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester, CH1 4LT

Cheshire FA have also now confirmed that tickets will be available at the turnstiles, although advance purchase is preferred and recommended.

Admission is £10 for adults and £5 for senior citizens/children (cash or card).

Runcorn Linnets supporters and ticket holders should use the ‘Home’ turnstiles 1 & 1A (to the left of the main entrance).

If scores are level after 90 minutes, the tie will be decided on penalties.

• Although Runcorn AFC were the first team to represent the town in the Cheshire Senior Cup, in 1886-87 a club called Runcorn had entered the competition only to withdraw ahead of their first-round match at home to Bollington. It would be interesting to know where in the town this club was based.