Season kicks off with home FA Cup tie

RUNCORN LINNETS v Clitheroe

Saturday, August 2nd, ko 3pm

Emirates FA CUP extra preliminary round at APEC Taxis Stadium, Stockham Lane, Murdishaw, Runcorn, WA7 6GJ.

History trail

Paths haven't crossed with Clitheroe in any of our 17 FA Cup seasons so far. In fact, we have never met in any knockout competition, although the Blues and ourselves have been league rivals since we joined the Northern Premier League for 2018-19. Clitheroe have operated at Step 4 since 2004-05.

They first tasted FA Cup action in 1948-49 and have got as far as the third qualifying round four times, most recently in 2022-23 when they lost at Bury AFC in a replay after knocking out Colne, Heaton Stannington and Spennymoor Town along the way.

Spennymoor were also on the receiving end of Clitheroe's club record 8-2 victory in the competition, set at home in 2007-08.

The Blues' biggest FA Cup defeat was an 8-4 preliminary round loss in 1974-75 to visiting Barrow, who had been relegated to the NPL from the old Football League Fourth Division at rhe end of '72-73.

Last season Clitheroe entered and left the tournament in the preliminary round, losing 3-2 in a replay at Sheffield FC after a 2-2 draw.

In 2018-19, the Blues played out a bizarre 6-6 preliminary round draw against Sunderland Ryhope before edging the replay in the North East 3-2.

Linnets have reached the qualifying stages seven times, twice falling two victories short of the first round proper - in 2013-14, when losing 2-0 at North Ferriby United and 2021-22 (beaten 3-2 by visiting Gateshead).

Match facts

The winners of Saturday's tie will receive £1,125 in prize money and will visit Whitchurch Alport or Litherland REMYCA in the preliminary round on Saturday, August 16th. Teams losing in the extra preliminary round collect £325.

Team news

Clitheroe have completed significant transfer business over the summer.

Lewis Trickett, a winger capped by Northern Ireland at Under 19s and U21s levels, has signed following release by Accrington Stanley.

New defender Cam Bell is another youngster with international pedigree, the now 19-year-old having represented Scotland as Under 17s level, having been schooled at Everton and Rangers.

Another back, Jake Carroll has re-signed for the Lancashire club, having featured at end of last season.

The second of his six appearances was in the 3-0 victory at APEC Taxis Stadium.

Carroll has played at a high level in both England, Scotand and home nation Ireland. He boasts more than 160 EFL outings and has featured in Scotttish and Irish Premier Leagues.

Another returnee is 6ft 2in centre back Brad Ditch, who previously played for the Blues' Under 23s side and joins from North West Counties League Premier Division outfit Chadderton.

Six Linnets players - Scott Bakkor, Markell Foulds, Dec McLoughlin, Sean Miller, Matty Rain and Adam Rooney - are in line for competitive debuts after joining the club in pre-season.

If selected, Bakkor (pictured above) will be pitched against one of his former clubs. He notched 25 goals in 64 Clitheroe appearances across two stints.

How to get here

By car - postcode for APEC Taxis Stadium is WA7 6GJ.

By train - Runcorn is served by two railway stations, Runcorn (Liverpool Lime Street to London line, also with services from Chester and Birmingham) and Runcorn East (trains to and from Manchester, Chester and North Wales). Both stations are served by buses running close to the stadium, although Runcorn High Street bus station (10-minute walk) offers a wider choice for passengers using Runcorn Railway Station.

By bus - the ground is a short walk from the Runcorn Busway - alight at Orniston Bollingbroke Academy (Halton High School) and follow pathway on the opposite side of the busway from the school to Murdishaw Avenue and cross into Stockham Lane. Many local services (including Shopping City circular) run on the busway as well as those from Widnes, Warrington, Liverpool and Chester.

A local taxi service is provided by APEC Taxis (tel 01928 575757).

Admission

Normal 2025-26 home entry prices apply. Season tickets can't be used to gain admission to Cup matches. Halton Leisure Card discount is for league games only and does not apply.

Prices - £11 adults; £8 concessions (age 65 and over); £2 juniors (age 18 and under). Cash and card payment accepted.

Replay information

If scores are level after 90 minutes, the tie will be replayed at The Loom Loft Stadium, Clitheroe, on Tuesday, August 5th 2025 (ko 7.45pm).