From left to right; John Hatton (HBC Leisure & Community Services Manager),
Alan Jones (Honorary Club President), David Hopley (Managing Director of
Millbank Group the new club sponsor), Derek Greenwood (Chairman), and
Cllr Rob Polhill ( Halton Borough Council's Deputy-Leader)

Constructions of the 1,600-capacity Millbank Linnets Stadium, at Halton Sports in Murdishaw, Runcorn, was officially launched with with a sod-cutting ceremony on Friday 5 February.

The new Ground was named "The Linnets Stadium" as an overwhelming winner from the poll of Trust members, receiving 47 of the 100 votes and twice as many as the second choice on the shortlist of five suggested names.

The new £230,000 facility, funded jointly by Runcorn Linnets FC, Halton Borough Council, and the Football Foundation will provide a home for the Linnets, who haven't had a base in the town since the previous club's ground at Canal Street was sold in 2001. The sale of the old Ground saw Runcorn AFC become somewhat nomadic until its demise in 2006, whereupon the fans formed the new Runcorn Linnets FC.

Halton Borough Council's Executive Board Member for Sport, Cllr Phil Harris, said: "Now the club has a home ground back in Runcorn they can start the hard work of increasing thier supporters base and moving back up the leagues.

"They will also add a much needed boost to the development of open age football in the borough."

The new 1,600 capacity facility will take a couple of months to construct, and will be the club's full-time home from the start of the 2010/2011 season.

Club Chairman, Derek Greenwood said "This is a momentous day for the club. To be able to start work on our new ground is something we've been dreaming of for a number of years now, and it's great to see it finally coming to fruition.

"We'd like to express our gratitude to both Halton Borough Council, and the Football Foundation, for grants that have made this project possible, and to our fans and supporters who have enabled us to contribute a considerable sum to the project via our own fundraising efforts.

"I'd also like to thank Millbank Group for becoming the club's main sponsor today, which incorporates both our new ground, and the shirts for at least the next three years.

"We are now looking forward to opening the ground once complete, and can't wait to play our first match here."

Work to transform an existing brick building into a clubhouse has already begun thanks to volunteer electrician and Linnets supporter Ste Bignall.

The club will need other volunteers to come forward to work on the renovation of the clubhouse - financially supported by Halton council, the Football Foundation, Linnets fans and two area forums.