RUNCORN’S two highest- ranked football clubs are making plans for a future which could in seasons to come see them in direct competition. Ambitious Runcorn Town have declared an interest in applying for the Vodkat League. The Weston Point club, riding high in Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division One after winning promotion last season, have been discussing bringing their Pavilions ground up to the required standard. Meanwhile, Runcorn Linnets – already North West Counties League members – are awaiting a decision from Riverside College Halton over a site for a prospective new home at the Runcorn campus. Linnets chairman Derek Greenwood said on Tuesday the college’s board of governors were due to meet on Monday, September 24. ‘We are hoping for a decision by the end of the month,’ said Greenwood, whose side are in their second season of a groundshare at Witton Albion in Wincham, Northwich. Runcorn Town press officer Martin Fallon earlier confirmed the club is considering applying for NWC membership. ‘We are looking into it and we have got the ground criteria as a document to follow,’ he said. ‘It’s something we want to do – I don’t think there is any point in a couple of us being down there if we’re going to be staying in West Cheshire with no ambitions to move up.’ The club, formerly Mond Rangers, has been advised it would not have to win the title this year to be seen as a suitable promotion candidate. But on-the-field success would only aid their cause. Fallon added: ‘When I rang North West Counties up to get the ground-grading information, they basically said that as long as the ground is up to standard, they have spaces in the league available. ‘The biggest hurdle will be floodlights. We haven’t any floodlights at the ground. ‘We’ve had a quote for lights of £42,000 which is quite a bit of money. That would be for UniBond Premier Division standard.’ A neighbouring pitch to Town’s, formerly used by General Chemicals (now Picow Farm Road-based Halton FC), already has lights. But it does not meet criteria Town have in place or are working towards on their present ground. The club would need covered accommodation for 100, which they already have thanks to work carried out in the summer, although part of this would need adapting to accommodate 50 seats. Runcorn Linnets have been negotiating a lease with Riverside college, having drawn up plans for a new 2,000-capacity home with joint-use and community facilities. The permission of the Learning and Skills Council is required along with the go-ahead from the college’s governors. The scheme is also subject to local planning approval and funding. The estimated cost is between £300,000-£400,000 and an initial funding application was lodged to the Football Foundation in April, via the Cheshire FA. But if approved, the FF contribution is unlikely to be more than 65%. Greenwood added: ‘We have a board meeting next week and we are now going to start looking at the funding issues. ‘We have had to wait and it is frustrating but the college have been hugely supportive.’ The land which Linnets have targeted is not thought to be earmarked for college use. | 
