RICHIE Mottram was named Supporters Club Player of the Year at Runcorn Linnets' end-of-season Presentation Evening.

The Jimmy Lightfoot Trophy was one of two awards picked up by hometown favourite Richie as around 170 players, officials, supporters and guests congregated in the main function room at The Heath Business & Technical Park, which was fittingly decked out in Yellow and Green.

The goalkeeper also won the Bill Philcock Shield as the Travel Club's Away Player of the Year.

The first-team squad received the North West Counties League Premier Division runners-up trophy and medals from club chairman Derek Greenwood.

Another highlight thanks to the wonders of technology and the considerable efforts of event hosts Mark Buckley and Tracy Ryder, was a "video link-up" with Kev Towey in Spain!

Kev was named the Young Linnets' Player of the Year, the Phil Tyler Trophy being presented by avid young fan Caleb Goodwin, who was handed the winner's Number 9 shirt as a memento. The award was collected by team-mate Mike Burke on Kev's behalf.

Talismanic striker Towey, now just six goals shy of the club's all-time goal scoring record, also received the President's Trophy from Alan Jones as leading scorer in 2014-15.

Steve Pritchard and Stuart White handed their Vice-Presidents' Award for special achievement to winger Matt Atherton in recognition of him setting a club appearances record during the campaign.

Central defender Michael White's first season with the club was crowned with the Players' Player accolade, club captain Michael Ellison handing over the George Worrall Trophy.

The Home Player Award went to Adam Wade, the winner of the Ray Shingler Trophy being decided on the aggregate vote of visiting clubs. Club secretary Lynn Johnston made the presentation.

Kyle Hamid picked up Linnets Ground Development Group's inaugural Player of the Year award from Paul Tandy while there were retirement gifts for first-team players Martin Crowder and Michael Duffy from Trust Board member Reg Woods on behalf of the club and Kyle Hamid (from the players).

The customary Goal of the Season poll on the club's official website saw a tie for first place. The Wilf Bettley Trophy awarded by Joan and Dave Bettley was, therefore, shared for the first time. The joint winners were long-serving midfieldman Michael Ellison for his first (and so far only) Linnets goal at Abbey Hey and striker Freddie Potter, whose glorious lobbed winner at home to AFC Blackpool will likewise live long in the memory.

Tables were later to be turned on Joan Bettley as she and Joyce Carter, stalwart ticket sellers on first-team match days, collected the Noel Bell Memorial Award for club service from Sue Bell, widow of the Supporters Club chairman.

Sue led the warm tributes paid during the evening to long-serving Supporters Club committee member John Leach, who had died earlier this week after a long illness. All the club's thoughts are with John's wife and family at this sad time.

The Supporters Club's current chairman Stuart Houghton, who had succeeded Noel in the post, presented a £700 Supporters Club cheque to his football club counterpart Derek Greenwood.

Reflecting on the season, club manager Joey Dunn said emotions were still raw after the disappointment of a second successive runners-up finish but come August everybody will be ready to "go again" thanks to the strong mentality within the dressing room and excellent support behind the scenes.

The contributions of all sections were recognised with Runcorn Linnets Junior FC's head secretary Ciaran Clotworthy and Runcorn Linnets Ladies' head coach John Pickering (both also members of the club's Trust Board) updating the audience on progress along with Andy Hill, manager of Runcorn Linnets Under 18s.

The juniors (due to strength in numbers) and Linnets Ladies (whose season is still running) will each have their own presentation ceremonies in due course but the Youth team's achievements in winning the North West Youth Alliance's 2nd Division Cup were marked with a number of Player of the Year awards.

The Coach's Prize went to Eddie Shaw, who scored both Linnets goals in their 2-1 final defeat of Irlam at Burscough while Adam (Dom) Hadley picked up the Manager's Award and Taylor Kennerley was the choice for Players' Player. Mention was also made of Jordan Cobley's involvement with the National Championship-winning Cheshire Youth squad.

This is the first time that the club's Presentation Night has taken place at The Heath. The club thanks Anthony Stonebanks, catering manager and staff, for their superb hospitality and service and everyone who contributed to the event's success.