Runcorn Town F.C.
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| Full name | Runcorn Town Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Town | ||
| Founded | 1967 (as Mond Rangers) | ||
| Ground |
Pavilions Sports Complex Sandy Lane Runcorn | ||
| Capacity | 1,530 | ||
| Chairman | Tony Riley | ||
| Manager | Simon Burton | ||
| League |
North West Counties League Premier Division | ||
| 2013–14 |
North West Counties League Premier Division, 5th | ||
| Website | Club home page | ||
|
| |||
Runcorn Town Football Club is an English association football club based in Runcorn, Cheshire, England. After spending most of their years in the West Cheshire League, they were elected to the North West Counties League in 2010 and are currently in the Premier Division. Their home ground is Pavilions in Runcorn. Runcorn Town also has a Junior Section with six junior teams under the club's umbrella.
History
Runcorn Sunday League: 1967 to 1974
Runcorn Town were formed in 1967 under the name of CKD and played in the Runcorn Sunday League. They changed their name in 1970 to Mond FC in 1970, but little is known about the club's early years. At the start of the 1974/75 season, they made the decision to try Saturday football in the Warrington and District Football League.
Warrington and District Football League: 1974 to 1984
At the end of their first season, Mond amalgamated with Premier Division team ICI Weston, becoming Mond Rangers. They remained in the WDL until 1984/85 when they were elected to join the West Cheshire League Division Two, but the link was maintained with the WDL with a reserve team setup. Les Walsh was leading goal scorer with 32 goals including 3 hat tricks
West Cheshire Football League: 1984 to 2010
Mond Rangers established themselves as a solid mid-table team and it was not until the 1991–92 season that they won their first silverware as they won the West Cheshire Bowl as well as finishing a respectable sixth place finish in Division 2. The following season they finished third in the league and reached the Bowl final, and improved again the following season by finishing third in the league, and regaining the Bowl.
Promotion was achieved in 1994–95 when they finished second in the league. They also reached the Final of the Cheshire Amateur Cup but lost 2–1 to Poulton Victoria in a match played at Prenton Park, Tranmere. Apart from a 5th placed finish in 1996–97, the club were perennial strugglers in Division One, and were relegated for the first time in their history in 2001–02.
The 2004–05 season saw success return to the club with the first team finishing as runners up in Division Two, winning the Runcorn Senior Cup and reaching the final of the Cheshire Bowl again.
Before the start of the 2005–06 season, the club changed their name to Runcorn Town. A decision was also taken to improve facilities at the club with a view to joining the North West Counties League, but the club suffered a heartbreaking relegation at the end of this season, slipping into the relegation zone for the first time on the last day of the season.
The following season the club won Division Two for the first time in the club's history and were promoted.[1] The 2007–08 season was probably the most successful in the club's history. The club won the Runcorn Cup, were runners up in the Pyke Cup, and finished third in Division 1,[2] which remains the club's joint highest ever finish. They followed this with a 4th place finish in 2008–09[3] and another third place finish in 2009–10.[4]
In June 2010 the club, having added floodlights to their home ground, applied to join the North West Counties Football League[5] and after approval from the league and The Football Association officially joined after the League's AGM in Mid June.[6]
North West Counties Football League: 2010 to present
In their opening match in Division One in August 2010 they beat Abbey Hey 5–1[7] with Marvin Molyneux scoring Town's first ever goal in the league after just three minutes.
The first season was a real success, with the club losing just two of their 34 league matches. Promotion to the Premier Division was achieved at the first attempt following a 2–0 victory at Pavilions against Chadderton,[8] and they finished the season as runners up in the league. They finished the season on a club record run of 25 league games without defeat.
In their first season in the Premier Division, Runcorn Town continued their success by finishing as runners up behind Ramsbottom United.
Cup competitions
FA Cup
The club entered the FA Cup for the first time in the 2011–12 season, and played their first ever match in the competition in the Extra Preliminary Round on 20 August 2011 at home to Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division side Brighouse Town. Town won 4–1 with Scott Burton becoming the club's first ever goalscorer in the competition.
The clubs best performance in the competition came in that debut season when they reached the First Qualifying Round before losing 5-1 at Northern Premier League league side Ashton United.
FA Vase
The club entered the FA Vase for the first time in the 2010–11 season, and played their first ever match in the competition in the Second Qualifying Round on 18 September 2010 away at Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division side Parkgate, having received a bye in the First Qualifying Round. James McShane scored Runcorn Town's first ever goal in the competition with Town performing winning 3–1.
The clubs best performance in the competition came in the 2012-13 season when they reached the Fifth Round Proper before losing 2–1 (after extra time) at home to Midland Football Alliance league side Walsall Wood.
Cheshire Senior Cup
The 2010–11 season was also Town's debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup. Having got a bye in the First Round, they entertained Northern Premier League Division One North side Warrington Town in the Second Round. Despite a two league gap between the sides, Town drew 1–1 after extra time, before losing 4–2 on penalties.
One notable game in the competition came in the 2011–12 season which saw Runcorn Town drawn away at Northern Premier League side Woodley Sports in the First Round. The game was notable as it was the first competitive game that the club had played on a synthetic playing surface. Three goals in the second half of extra time saw Town lose 4–1 after a 1–1 draw in 90 minutes.[9]
Honours
League
- North West Counties Football League, Premier Division – Runners-Up: 2011–12
- North West Counties Football League, Division 1 – Runners-Up: 2010–11
- West Cheshire League, Division 2 – Champions: 2006–07. Runners-Up: 2004–05, 1994–95
Cup
- Cheshire Amateur Cup – Runners-Up: 1994–95
- Pyke Cup – Runners-Up: 2007–08
- West Cheshire Bowl – Winners: 1991–92, 1993–94. Runners-Up: 1992–93, 2004–05
- Bill Weight Memorial Trophy – Winners: 1995–96, 2005–06, 2007–08
- Runcorn Senior Cup – Winners: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08. Runners-Up: 2009–10
League history
| Season | Division | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | Significant Events |
| Formed in 1967 as CKD. Renamed Mond in 1970. | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967–74 | Runcorn Sunday League | League Tables Unknown | ||||||||
| Joined Warrington and District Football League | ||||||||||
| 1974–75 | Warrington and District Football League Division 5 | 26 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 127 | 36 | 47 | 02/18 | |
| Amalgamated with ICI Weston. Changed name to Mond Rangers | ||||||||||
| 1975–76 | Warrington and District League Premier Division | 30 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 53 | 56 | 27 | 10/16 | |
| 1976–77 | Warrington and District League Premier Division | 26 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 30 | 49 | 18 | 11/14 | |
| 1977–78 | Warrington and District League Premier Division | 26 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 50 | 58 | 29 | 05/14 | |
| 1978–79 | Warrington and District League Premier Division | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 37 | 54 | 22 | 11/14 | |
| 1979–80 | Warrington and District League Premier Division | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 57 | 70 | 28 | 08/16 | |
| 1980–81 | Warrington and District League Premier Division | 32 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 51 | 65 | 26 | 11/17 | |
| 1981–82 | Warrington and District League Premier Division | 30 | 11 | 5 | 14 | 50 | 57 | 27 | 10/16 | |
| 1982–83 | Warrington and District League Premier Division | 28 | 8 | 3 | 14 | 44 | 58 | 22 | 12/15 | |
| 1983–84 | Warrington and District League Premier Division | 28 | 11 | 3 | 14 | 44 | 54 | 25 | 10/15 | |
| Joined West Cheshire League | ||||||||||
| 1984–85 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 34 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 73 | 62 | 39 | 07/18 | |
| 1985–86 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 73 | 71 | 35 | 10/18 | |
| 1986–87 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 34 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 64 | 86 | 28 | 12/18 | |
| 1987–88 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 34 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 73 | 69 | 33 | 10/18 | |
| 1988–89 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 34 | 6 | 15 | 13 | 48 | 65 | 27 | 14/18 | |
| 1989–90 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 34 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 78 | 62 | 37 | 09/18 | |
| 1990–91 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 34 | 17 | 4 | 13 | 56 | 55 | 38 | 06/18 | |
| 1991–92 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 34 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 67 | 61 | 36 | 06/18 | |
| 1992–93 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 34 | 21 | 6 | 7 | 89 | 43 | 48 | 03/18 | |
| 1993–94 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 34 | 22 | 6 | 6 | 100 | 42 | 50 | 03/18 | |
| 1994–95 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 34 | 25 | 2 | 7 | 118 | 39 | 52 | 02/18 | Promoted |
| 1995–96 | West Cheshire League Division One | 30 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 39 | 68 | 21 | 15/16 | |
| 1996–97 | West Cheshire League Division One | 30 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 55 | 54 | 36 | 05/16 | |
| 1997–98 | West Cheshire League Division One | 30 | 10 | 4 | 16 | 57 | 60 | 34 | 12/16 | |
| 1998–99 | West Cheshire League Division One | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 48 | 76 | 29 | 13/16 | |
| 1999–2000 | West Cheshire League Division One | 30 | 9 | 4 | 17 | 52 | 75 | 31 | 12/16 | |
| 2000–01 | West Cheshire League Division One | 30 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 39 | 57 | 33 | 14/16 | |
| 2001–02 | West Cheshire League Division One | 30 | 2 | 6 | 22 | 30 | 85 | 12 | 16/16 | Relegated |
| 2002–03 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 30 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 39 | 70 | 26 | 14/16 | |
| 2003–04 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 30 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 73 | 52 | 45 | 06/16 | |
| 2004–05 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 30 | 22 | 3 | 5 | 81 | 28 | 69 | 02/16 | Promoted |
| Changed name to Runcorn Town FC | ||||||||||
| 2005–06 | West Cheshire League Division One | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 49 | 66 | 29 | 15/16 | Relegated |
| 2006–07 | West Cheshire League Division Two | 30 | 21 | 5 | 4 | 92 | 33 | 68 | 01/16 | Champions |
| 2007–08 | West Cheshire League Division One | 32 | 21 | 3 | 8 | 94 | 41 | 66 | 03/17 | |
| 2008–09 | West Cheshire League Division One | 28 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 69 | 35 | 50 | 04/15 | |
| 2009–10 | West Cheshire League Division One | 30 | 21 | 5 | 4 | 87 | 30 | 68 | 03/16 | Promoted |
| Joined North West Counties League | ||||||||||
| 2010–11 | North West Counties League Division One | 34 | 26 | 6 | 2 | 114 | 39 | 81 | 02/18 | Promoted |
| 2011–12 | North West Counties League Premier Division | 42 | 29 | 5 | 8 | 111 | 49 | 92 | 02/22 | |
| 2012–13 | North West Counties League Premier Division | 42 | 26 | 9 | 7 | 105 | 45 | 84 | 04/22 | Three pts deducted |
| 2013–14 | North West Counties League Premier Division | 42 | 25 | 4 | 13 | 87 | 42 | 79 | 05/22 | |
Records
All of the below records are under the Runcorn Town name from the 2005–06 season, as no comprehensive records exist for the club under the Mond Rangers name. All records are correct as at the end of the 2013-14 season (26 April 2014).
Club records
Wins and losses
| Record | Details |
| Record home win (league): | 10–1 vs Stockport Sports, 25 March 2013 |
| Record home win (cup): | 22–0 vs Roundhouse Rovers, 13 February 2010 (Runcorn Senior Cup) |
| Record away win (league): | 8–0 vs Ashton Town 28 August 2010 |
| Record away win (cup): | 9–1 vs Waterloo Wanderers, 8 November 2008 (Runcorn Senior Cup) |
| 9–1 vs Robin Hood Helsby, 6 December 2008 (Runcorn Senior Cup) | |
| Record home defeat (league): | 4–0 vs West Kirby, 28 February 2009 |
| Record home defeat (cup): | 4-0 vs Chester FC 13 January 2014 (Cheshire Senior Cup Second Round) |
| Record away defeat (league): | 5–1 vs Christleton, 25 March 2006 |
| 4–0 vs New Brighton, 20 August 2005 | |
| 4–0 vs AFC Blackpool 23 October 2010 | |
| 4–0 vs Runcorn Linnets 21 April 2014 | |
| Record away defeat (cup): | 5-1 vs Ashton United, 17 September 2011 (FA Cup) |
Best performance
| Record | Details |
| Best league finish: | 2nd of 22 – North West Counties Football League Premier Division 2011–12 |
| Best FA Cup performance: | First Qualifying Round – vs Ashton United 2011–12 |
| Best FA Vase performance: | Fifth Round Proper - vs Walsall Wood 2012-13 |
Sequences
| Record | Details |
| Without defeat (all comps): | 17 games, 9 February 2011 to 7 May 2011 |
| Without defeat (league only): | 26 games, 26 October 2010 to 9 August 2011 |
| Without a win (all comps): | 8 games, 31 August 2005 to 22 October 2005 |
| Without a win (league only): | 6 games, 21 January 2006 to 8 April 2006 |
| Consecutive wins (all comps): | 13 games, 27 January 2007 to 29 August 2007 |
| Consecutive wins (league only): | 12 games, 27 January 2007 to 29 August 2007 and 11 February 2012 to 9 April 2012 |
| Consecutive defeats (all comps): | 6 games, 21 January 2006 to 8 April 2006 |
| Consecutive defeats (league only): | 6 games, 21 January 2006 to 8 April 2006 |
Attendances
| Record | Details |
| Highest home crowd: | 803 vs Runcorn Linnets 26 December 2013 (League) |
| Highest away crowd: | 602 vs Runcorn Linnets 9 April 2012 (League) |
Player records
Appearances
| Record | Details |
| Most appearances: | 281 - Danny Dalton (11 August 2007 to present) |
| Consecutive appearances: | 149 – Karl Wills (16 October 2010 to 21 September 2013) |
Goals
| Record | Details |
| Most goals in all competitions: | 157 – James McShane (6 October 2007 to present) |
| Most goals in a season: | 43 – James McShane (2010–11 season) |
| Most league goals in a season: | 28 – James McShane (2010–11 season) |
| Most goals in a single match: | 6 – Jason Carey (vs Roundhouse Rovers, 13 February 2010) |
| Most hat-tricks in a season: | 4 – James McShane |
| Most hat-tricks: | 7 – James McShane |
| Scoring in consecutive games: | 9 – Ian Cocks (29 October 2005 to 7 January 2006) |
References
- ↑ "West Cheshire League Second Division Final Table 2006–07". The Football Association. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ↑ "West Cheshire League First Division Final Table 2007–08". The Football Association. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ↑ "West Cheshire League First Division Final Table 2008–09". The Football Association. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ↑ "West Cheshire League First Division Final Table 2009–10". The Football Association. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ↑ "Constitution Of League 2010–11". North West Counties League. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ↑ "News from the League AGM". North West Counties League. 19 June 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ↑ "A Day Of Firsts". North West Counties League. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ↑ "Congratulations To Runcorn Town". North West Counties League. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ↑ "Woodley Sports v Runcorn Town – Match Report". Runcorn Town FC. 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
External links
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Coordinates: 53°19′47″N 2°45′05″W / 53.329848°N 2.751357°W