CLUB HISTORY
Runcorn Town were formed in 1970 under the old name
of Mond Rangers. They played for the first few years
in the Runcorn Sunday league, and in 1973 they made
the decision to try Saturday football in the impressive
Warrington and District League (WDL).
In their first season they finished as runners up,
and after amalgamating with ICI Weston for the 1974/75
season, they became one of the strongest sides in
the league. They remained in the WDL until 1984 when
they were elected to join the West Cheshire League
(WCL) Division Two, with a recommendation letter from
the WDL helping. A reserve team was also set up playing
in the WDL, and a year later a youth team was formed.
Mond established themselves as a good, solid mid-table
team, which is where they remained until the appointment
of Peter Ellis as manager ahead of the 1991/92 season.
In his first season he guided them to their first
silverware in the West Cheshire Bowl as well as a
respectable 6th place finish. The following season
they finished 3rd in the league and reached the Bowl
final again where they lost to Blacon Youth Club.
In 1993/94 they again finished third in the league,
scoring 100 goals, and regained the Bowl. The following
season, they finished second in the league, scoring
118 goals, and with it secured promotion to WCL Division
One. They also reached the Final of the Cheshire Amateur
Cup, but lost 2-1 to Poulton Victoria in a match played
at Prenton Park, Tranmere.
This period of success was mirrored throughout the
club. The youth team won the Warrington Youth League
in 1993/94, and were runners up in the Cheshire Youth
Cup. The following season they went one better in
the Cheshire Youth Cup and also won the Warrington
Youth Cup. The reserves meanwhile were took over by
Rod Looker and switched to the Chester League, winning
Division Two in 1996/97 and then Division One the
season after. They did not lose a game for two seasons.
The reserves were then successful in joining the WCL's
newly formed Division Three in 1998.
1998 also saw a women's team play at Mond for the
first time, with the team playing in the North West
Ladies League. They won Division Three at the first
attempt and also the League Cup. The following year
they finished as runners up in Division Two, and with
it promotion to Division One. In 2001/02, they achieved
their finest hour with an away tie in the cup at Manchester
United Ladies, where they went down 4-3. The ladies
team left Mond in 2001 to merge with Liverpool FC
Ladies.
Meanwhile the first team struggled in WCL Division
One, despite sharing the Bill Weight Memorial Trophy
in that first season. They were eventually relegated
back to WCL Division Two in 2001/02. The following
season saw John Crompton take over as manager, with
him restructuring the football side of the club. Ahead
of the 2004/05 season, John opted to manage the reserve
side, with Gary Moore joining as first team manager,
and success was instant.
The first team finished as runners up in Division
Two, and also won the Runcorn Senior Cup, reached
the final of the Bowl and the quarter finals of the
Cheshire Amateur Cup. The reserves won Division Three,
the WCL Shield, and also reached the final of the
Warrington Guardian Cup. Both teams were promoted.
Ahead of the 2005/06 season, the club changed their
name to Runcorn Town in order to try and bring a more
professional look to the club in general, and hopefully
increase support from both businesses and individuals
in the local community. Although progressing off the
pitch, the team had mixed fortunes on it. Rod Looker
took over the youth team, leading them to a third
place finish in the league and winning the league
cup. The senior team got off to a good start to the
season by winning the Bill Weight Memorial Cup.
However the season overall brought mixed fortunes
and, despite adding the Runcorn Cup, the 1st team
slipped into the relegation places on the last day
of the season for the first time to suffer a heartbreaking
relegation. To make matters worse, although the reserves
finished 6th in WCL2, they were also relegated as
clubs cannot have more than one team in each division.
This season former Runcorn, Altrincham and Southport
defender Tony Murphy has taken over as manager of
the first team, with the reserves and the youth team
merging to become one. A good season is hoped for
both on and off the pitch.
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