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New Managerial Team at Runcorn Linnets

Pitching In Northern Premier League Division One West club Runcorn Linnets have announced that manager Dave Wild has been relieved of his duties.

Thursday 30 March 23 I 17:36:21	I	Photo by

Wild (pictured), who took charge ahead of the 2022/23 season, has been dismissed following an emergency Board meeting, over what they called "a matter of gross misconduct". The 34-year-old had previously been in charge of Mossley AFC, and had also been assistant manager at Matlock Town. He leaves with Runcorn inside the play-off places, one point ahead of Witton Albion and only behind fourth-placed Clitheroe on goal difference. Billy Paynter will take charge of the first team, with Jamie Rainford assisting him with immediate effect. As a former professional player who made close to 500 appearances in the English leagues, Paynter is as experienced as they come and he also has a strong coaching pedigree. He scored 131 goals in 529 league and cup games during an impressive 17-year playing career as a striker. His involvement in coaching has included service to the academies at Everton and Port Vale, his appointment as Professional Development Phase Lead Coach at Vale Park coming in early November 2020. He stepped down from his role at the end of May 2022 and arrived at Runcorn Linnets in mid-June. Born in Liverpool, he began his career with Port Vale in 2000, and made more than 150 appearances in his six years in the Potteries, being voted player of the year in 2005. He was sold to Hull City in January 2006, before moving on to Southend United eight months later. His career suffered something of a hiatus but after a loan spell at Bradford City, it was re-ignited at Swindon Town, who he joined in August 2007. Averaging more than a goal every three games with the club, he transferred to Leeds United in June 2010 and then joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan in October 2011, before taking a free transfer to Doncaster Rovers in August 2012. He helped Rovers to win the League One title in 2012/13 before being loaned out to Sheffield United in January 2014. Paynter signed for Carlisle United in June 2014, moving on to Hartlepool United after 12 months. His 478 League outings brought 116 goals. He moved into non-League football for a brief spell with Warrington Town in November 2017 before finally hanging up his boots. His coaching portfolio also features work at Yorkshire-based RIASA (Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy). Rainford returned to Runcorn Linnets in June 2022 to become assistant manager. He had played for the club in early 2019/20, scoring 5 goals in 15 appearances, including 10 starts. He left in November 2019 to join Mossley managed by Dave Wild. In 2021/22 he scored 18 goals for Ramsbottom United and Glossop North End to extend his prolific career record. In 2018/19, the season before arriving at Linnets, the now 34-year-old had finished as joint second in the NPL West scoring charts with 22 goals in spells with Widnes, Clitheroe and Ramsbottom. He made his Rammy league debut against Linnets as we won 3-2 at The Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on December 1st 2018 and hit their winner in the return clash at the Linnets Stadium on March 30th - the 2-1 comeback victory ultimately helping the visitors to secure fifth place, the final play-off spot, ahead of us. The player had ended the previous season with Colwyn Bay, having joined the Welsh club from Glossop in February 2017. He hit 29 goals for the Hillmen in NPL Division One North in 2015/16. He had first come to prominence with Prescot Cables, where he stayed for close to two seasons before transferring to Marine AFC. His career really took off at this point with the then youngster's 28 goals in 2010/11 drawing attention from Football League scouts. His clubs before arriving at Runcorn had also included Chester, FC Halifax Town in Conference (now National League) North and AFC Fylde. More recently, he returned to Ramsbottom at the start of the 2021/22 after second stints with Widnes and Prescot but moved back to Glossop in September 2022 with the season 11 games old.

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