We're on our way to Whitchurch in the FA Cup

Whitchurch Alport v RUNCORN LINNETS

Emirates FA Cup preliminary round

Saturday, August 16th 2025 (ko 3pm)

at Get Moving Stadium, Yockings Park, Black

Park Road, Whitchurch, SY13 1PG

History trail

Runcorn Linnets and WhitchurchAlport have never met before in any competition but we had one thing in common in last season's FA Cup.

We were both beaten by Wythenshwe Town, losing in successive rounds and in both cases in an away replay with Linnets exiting ar the preliminary stage.

A happier coincidence saw Whitchurch emulate our Cheshire Senior Cup success by lifting the Shropshire Premier Cup at the expense of Allscott Heath.

Ths is a different club to the one which our predecessor club Runcorn AFC encountered in the 1920s and early '30s.

That Whitchurch team had formed in 1890 and spent 12 seasons alongside the Linnets in the Cheshire County League until resigning in 1933.

A club emerged under the same name in 1984-85 as founder members of the Staffordshire County League but lasted only one season.

Alport's history dates back to just after World War Two, as founder members of the Mid Cheshire League (now Cheshire League) in 1948-49. But it was only 10 seasons ago that they stepped up to the National Leagues System.

Joining the North West Counties League Division One, they secured promotion to the Premier Division as 2017-18 Play-off winners - staying for two seasons (two of them abandoned because of Covid) - before being moved laterally to the Midland League.

After finishes of 12th, ninth and tenth, the club came in sixth in 2024-25 while enjoying a record-equalling run in the FA Vase, reaching the quarter-finals for the second time.

They were beaten 3-2 at Whitstable Town, having also reached the last eight in 2021-22 (losing 2-1 at home to the eventual Wembley winners, Newport Pagnell Town).

Whitchurch's first FA Cup involvement came in 2017-18, losing on their competition debut.

In getting to the 1st qualifying round in 2024-25, they matched their competition best, first set in 2019-20, when losing 2-0 at home to Leek Town, and again in 2022-23 (being beaten 3-1 at Anstey Nomads).

Alport won eight of 17 home league games in 2024-25, drawing four and losing five with 34 goals for and 20 against.

Their preparations for Saturday's tie have been affected by the resignation of manager Adam Shillcock, who stepped down on Sunday - having been in charge since October 2023. Shillcock is succeeded by Jayson Starkey, who was part of the former manager's backroom staff.

New destination

Cover is provided on all four sides of the ground. A traditional main stand seats around 150 and the cover opposite extends on either side of dugouts. There is also a covered terrace behind one goal and a snall pre-fabricated stand with additional seating at the other end. Facilities also include clubhouse bar, club shop and on-site parking. The town centre is a short walk.

Team news

Dec McLoughlin is available for the first time after joining Linnets in the summer. The former FC United of Manchester has now served a three-match suspension carried over from last season.

Picture by Ben Jackson

Utility man Eden Gumbs (above) is one appearance short of 150 for Linnets.

Form guide

Whitchurch scored three without reply against NWCL Premier Division outfit Litherland REMYCA to seal progress into the FA Cup preliminary round. Both teams finished the match with ten men.

Alport's opening Midland League Premier Division fixture on Saturday saw a 1-1 draw at Tividale. They conceded in the 87th minute.

On Tuesday, Whitchurch lost 1-0 at AFC Wolverhampton City (formerly AFC Wulfrunians)in Jayson Starkey's first game in charge.

Linnets defeated Clitheroe 1-0 at home in the last round and have taken four points from the first two games in NPL West.

Admission:

Adults £8

Concessions £5

Under 16s £1 (free with paying adult)

If scores are level...

There is no extra-time. A draw at 90 minutes would necessitate a replay at APEC Taxis Stadium on Tuesday, August 19th (ko 7.45pm).

This would take precedence over our scheduled league game at Bury, which could also be affected by the result of the Shakers' FA Cup tie.

How to get there

CAR - postcode for the ground is SY13 1PG.

TRAIN - there is a service from Runcorn via Crewe while the journey from Runcorn East involves changes at Warrington Bank Quay and Crewe. The football ground is a 12-minute walk from the Whitchurch Railway station.

COACH - the Travel Club coach is sold out.

Scott Bakkor has scored on his first two appearances for Runcorn Linnets. Picture by Kelly Jones.