Runcorn Linnets set £100,000 goal for Stadium 3G

Businesses invited to pitch in with support for vital project

After talks with the Football Foundation, Runcorn Linnets are embarking on a campaign to install a 3G playing surface at APEC Linnets Stadium.

Urgently needing to improve training facilities for its players, including 450 juniors, the club last year launched an appeal to fund an artificial playing area on an outside pitch at their Murdishaw HQ.

But latest discussions with the FF have now shown the stadium itself provides a better and more viable alternative for the proposed 3G.

It would also solve the expensive problem of maintaining the current hybrid pitch.

Linnets say it is imperative that the 3G is installed in summer 2027.

An online fundraiser for the exterior 3G launched in the Autumn has, therefore, been discontinued and all contributors fully refunded.

The club, operating as a community benefit society, is looking for assistance from local companies, who are willing to support its aspiring players by investing in the stadium 3G.

A £1,000 donation by 100 businesses would mean the club, which is 100% owned by fans, could generate its £100,000 share of the project costs.

In return for their support, participating companies donating £1,000 towards the scheme will receive:

• Company name on a 3G Founder Board
• Company logo on the club website
• Acknowledgement on club social media
• Certificate of contribution
• Invitation to the 3G launch event
• Use of the "Proud Supporter of Runcorn Linnets Juniors" badge
• Branding opportunities on pitch and club materials
• Exposure through events and media
• Logo placements and digital presence
• Customised partnership packages

A similar model has already paid dividends for neighbouring Bootle FC, who like Runcorn were part of the national hybrid pilot scheme launched in 2020 but are about to switch to a 3G.

Runcorn's stadium pitch was relaid six years ago as part of the failed hybrid experiment.

On top of the on-going maintenance costs, it has left Linnets with a £28,000 a year summer refurbishment bill just to ensure that the pitch lasts the season.

Community hire was meant to offset the expense.

But durability has proved a major issue with the hybrid surface, which is a mixture of artificial fibres and grass.

The club had to heavily scale down community use to preserve the pitch.

The Football Foundation has stepped in to help with the shortfall but cannot sustain support.

The club's amended scheme would see the hybrid being ripped up in favour of a 3G, which will be more practical and allow unlimited usage.

It will accommodate the club's teams of all agegroups for matchplay or training with outside hire creating a useful revenue stream.

The shortage of alternative training facilities in the town has forced Runcorn's first team to hold winter sessions as far away as Skelmersdale.

Runcorn Linnets Ladies and Under 21s men's team, who also play at the stadium, have had to scramble for other venues - sometimes unsuccessfully - while the Junior section is losing teams because there is nowhere locally to accommodate them in bad weather.

APEC Linnets Stadium is also the home ground of Northwich Victoria FC and Linnets' title-winning representatives in the ESPFA, a programme combining football and education.

The 3G scheme will also provide new pitch perimeter fencing and wider run-ins to improve player safety.

The tragic death of Chichester City's Billy Vigar in September last year prompted an Football Association review of pitch perimeter safety at grounds across the National League System, including the Northern Premier League.

The 21-year-old former Arsenal academy player, died after colliding with a concrete barrier as he attempted to keep the ball in play during a match at Wingate and Finchley.

Billy suffered a significant brain injury and passed away after being placed in an induced coma and undergoing surgery.

The Football Association began an immediate safety inquiry, contacting clubs and seeking advice from third-party health and safety experts on modifying concrete barriers or mitigating risk.

As part of the proposed 3G scheme, concrete posts in the pitch surround at the APEC would be removed and replaced with safer barriers further away from the touchline.

Linnets vice-chairman and grounds director Jeff Jago said:

"The cost of maintaining our pitch and carrying out the annual end-of- season renovation has become financially crippling for the club.

"An alternative solution was therefore essential. After extensive negotiations with the Football Foundation, the option we have now secured is the most viable way forward.

"Our original plan was to install the new 3G pitch on the junior pitches.

"However, following the tragic passing of Billy, it became clear that significant works were also required on the first-team pitch, including the replacement of the concrete fence posts.

"This led us to approach the Football Foundation again to review the placement of the 3G pitch.

"We cannot overstate how incredibly supportive the Football Foundation have been throughout this entire process.

"Their time, patience and willingness to help despite my endless calls and questions have been invaluable.

"This new pitch must be installed in time for the start of the 2027-28 season so that we can provide a first-team surface that matches the ambition and quality of our playing squad."

Donations towards the scheme can be paid directly into the club's pitch account by bank transfer:

Account Name:
Runcorn Linnets FC Limited

Account number: 46893760
Sort code: 30-99-14