Midway through the second
half of Abbey’s ill-fated cup final appearance in April something happened
that, according to Barry Walker, was a first in the club’s 101-year history.
Singing at the match.
‘Elliott Goodwin on the wing,
we had dreams and songs to sing, there’ll be glory on the fields of Abbey Hey’
bellowed out of the end we were attacking with extreme conviction.
But the noise wasn’t coming
from the travelling fans or indeed any one from Manchester. The singers were
local Runcorn teenagers who hadn’t a clue where Abbey Hey was but liked the
cavalier football on show and decided to back us for the night.
Three months on and our paths
cross again. We liked the youngsters’ enthusiasm and managed to track them down
for a quick chat. Here’s what the Runcorn Youth’s elected spokesperson Ben
Hodgson had to say.
Your club turned seven years old this year. What has it’s short
life been like?
It has been brilliant but we
have had three different managers in the last three years so it has been quite
a rollercoaster ride. Things are currently looking more stable with Joey Dunn
in charge and hopefully we’ll see a promotion push this season.
Tell us about the ‘Runcorn Youth’.
Quite simply, we are a group
of lads aged 14 and 15 who just want to get behind our local team. Our numbers
vary but on average around eight of us travel to matches around the north west
with our handmade Runcorn Youth flag. We became a lot more organised last
season and have a soft spot for Abbey Hey after a few of us got behind them at
the recent cup final.
What do you like most about watching football at this level?
I think it has to be the
strong player-fan relationship. Seeing players celebrate with the fans after
scoring important goals really is superb.
You won the 2012/13 NWCFL Challenge Cup. What were your memories
of the night?
Where to start with that! It
was just a really special night and the feeling when we scored our penalty to
seal the 3-0 victory shortly before the end was unbelievable. There are YouTube
clips available online that capture the emotion perfectly - our end was a sea
of limbs! A few of us joined the team on the pitch to celebrate after the final
whistle only to be ordered off by a steward. Mike Tomlinson, our captain, saw
this happening and kept us on the pitch where we ended up holding the trophy.
It was brilliant.
Who was your stand out player of 2012/13?
Matty Atherton, a pacy left
winger.
Do you have a song for him?
We sing 'Athers is a Linnet,
Athers is a Linnet, na na na'.
Any other players get a song?
Oh, yes. Our favourite is the
one we have for Kyle Hamid to the tune of Don’t You Want Me Baby: ‘Kyle Hamid
baby, Kyle Hamid, ohhhhh’.
Describe your rivalry with Runcorn Town.
Our derby rivalry isn't one
of hatred, just a case of wanting to outdo each other. That said, they can't compete
with our attendances and support.
What’s the best away trip in the NWCFL Prem?
I’d have to say Winsford, due
to the fact we can get there quickly on the train. Hopefully Abbey will become
the best after today.
Tell us something about Runcorn Linnets that we don’t know.
Every single game in the
2012/13 cup run, except the final, went to extra time. We faced Stockport
Sports away in the first game where Joey Dunn was a coach. Come the next round
he was our new boss.
Predict the score this afternoon.
A 3-1 victory for the
Linnets.
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