The long awaited return of Runcorn Linnets to their home town is complete, following the inaugural game at the Millbank Linnets Stadium on Saturday.
A bumper crowd of 1037 turned up at the new ground to watch Linnets christen the ground with a fixture against Witton Albion, the club who have been landlords to the Linnets for the past four seasons.
Prior to the game, at 2.15 pm the Ground was officially opened by Linnets Chairman Derek Greenwood, with various invited guests cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Invited guests included ex-players and officials, local MPs, Council representatives, representatives from club sponsors Millbank Group and members of the Vodkat League Management Committee.
After the game, Linnets Chairman Derek Greenwood gave his reaction to the day's events.
"It feels unbelievable just to be back home. It's been absolutely fantastic to get the weather we had, and get a crowd like we got - over a thousand people was beyond our wildest dreams. It's been a tremendous day, we wanted the day to be right and that's what happened. I think people have enjoyed the experience, and I think it will mean a lot to the town.
"We are hugely encouraged by the size of the crowd that has turned up for the first game back here, but we always knew that Runcorn was a football town, and that there was a dormant support within it, especially at this end of the town (where the ground is situated).
"So many people are priced out of football at the top level, they will come and support this level of football, and if they bring their kids along that's the next generation of support. And that's what makes it so exciting.
"The last few weeks have been frantic. We had all the main things in place, it was the nitty gritty detail that needed the attention, and to be honest I had hardly thought about the game itself with all the little bits and pieces we needed to get finished. But all the people who were doing the work were absolutely determined that we would be ready for the day, and it was never in doubt that we would be finished in time.
"For last past four years, all our efforts have been geared towards moving the club back home. But now have achieved that, this is now when we start to build the football club we want. If the town supports us, we'll move forward, but it's down to the people of Runcorn to come out and support us.
"Right from the word go, we have people who said they wouldn't travel to watch Runcorn Linnets in another town, but would watch us when we moved back, and I have seen today several faces from the old Canal Street days who I don't believe have ever watched us before. Those people have to understand that by not supporting the club when we were out of town, it made it more difficult for those of us at the club who wanted to carry on with what we believed in.
"I don't blame them for it, if those people wanted to stick to their beliefs in that way that's fine. But it did leave a big burden on those who stuck with it, to get to the point we are today, where we can actually see the club back in the town.
"It was very easy for people to say 'why didn't we take over the club', but the old club was a limited company that died with huge debts, and if we had taken that over we wouldn't be at the stage we are at today.
"But in every other way I believe we have brought the club with us - we've brought the fans and the name, we are Runcorn Linnets and have always been Runcorn Linnets, so we have lost nothing. We mustn't get carried away, we've all enjoyed today, but the fact it's been a successful day gives us great hope for the future. Even if only half of the people who turned up today come back, the fact we pulled over a thousand people shows the support and interest is there.
"It's obvious that if the team produces the goods on the pitch then people from the town will come and watch. We've had players who played for Runcorn over 50 years ago jumping at the invitation to be here today, and that shows the affinity they have for the club.
"I've had one lot of ashes spread on the ground today before everyone came, and a request for another ceremony soon. We've had great support from the Council, and the Chief Executive of the Council has already indicated that they want to talk to us about extending the range of facilities we have here.
"We've had a lot of grants and financial help from various places obviously, but you have to remember that the fans also raised over £30,000 towards this project, and in this current economic climate that is no mean feat.
" I'm delighted for everyone, especially the board, who have worked so hard towards this day. And I'd bet there are a lot of teams in higher leagues than us who will look at this game and the attendance, and think "Runcorn are back"".
In the game itself, Witton opened the scoring in the 6th minute much to the disappointment of the home fans, but Michael Case claimed the prize of being the first Linnets player to score at the new ground when he equalised with a low header in the 37th minute.
In the second half the visitors upped the pace, and added further goals in the 57th and 79th minutes to clinch a 3-1 win.
