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Runcorn Linnets welcomed back Michael Ellison for his second stint as manager on January 2nd 2026.
Club legend Ello rejoined Linnets after a gap of five and a half years, succeeding Brad Cooke in the APEC Taxis Stadium hotseat following Brad's resignation.
In his first spell with the club, Ello evolved from player and then captain to manager with the height of achievement being the lifting of the North West Counties League Premier Division title as our boss in 2017-18.
Ello was reappointed after previously taking charge of 187 matches - more than any other Runcorn boss.
He resumed with 107 wins and 33 draws to his credit.
Ello had originally become Runcorn boss in the summer of 2016 on the resignation of Joey Dunn and having announced his playing retirement at the end of 2015-16.
Ello's NWCL title success with Linnets, in only his second managerial campaign, followed runners-up finishes in three of the previous four seasons.
He subsequently steered Runcorn through our first two seasons as a Step 4 club.
A defensive midfield player, Ello had joined Linnets from Winsford United.
His debut in August 2011 was the first of 212 appearances for the Yellow & Greens, these bringing two cherished goals.
Ello is one of only half a dozen to have completed the double century of outings as a Runcorn player.
Since leaving Linnets in 2020, he had managed City of Liverpool and Widnes, steering our former Halton neighbours to the NPL West title in 2024-25.