MP Mike Amesbury meets passionate Runcorn Linnets FC volunteers

Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury met club chairman Peter Cartledge and volunteers ahead of Linnets’ recent match against Newcastle Town FC, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Working alongside volunteers, he served customers with drinks and snacks in the tea bar, pulled pints in the beer van and chatted to presenters from Bucket Hat FM, Linnets’ official matchday radio station.

Mr Amesbury said: “I had a lovely evening meeting loads of great people.

“Local football clubs depend on volunteers, so it was a pleasure to meet folk passionate about football and generously giving up their time to support the club they love.

Tea bar volunteers Lyndsey, Tina and Danni with MP Mike Amesbury (Image: Mike Amesbury)

“I am supportive of all the wonderful grassroots clubs in my constituency, including Linnets.

“I also enjoyed my little stint volunteering and was pleased to see I have not lost the skill of pulling a pint, having been brought up in a pub.”

Celia McSwaine, from Pitching In, which sponsors Trident League football clubs like Runcorn Linnets, was also in attendance.

Pitching In takes an active role in helping clubs recruit volunteers through its volunteer hub.

Community engagement manager Josh Christian and Mike Amesbury MP (Image: Mike Amesbury)

Josh Christian, Linnets’ community engagement manager, said: “It was great to welcome Pitching In to Runcorn Linnets to showcase the fantastic work it does within the league structure to keep clubs going.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with them, and of course it was great to once again welcome Mike Amesbury back to the APEC Taxis Stadium.

“He has been a fantastic supporter of the club over the past six years and we really do appreciate it.

“Mike is always more than willing to speak to fans and even help out and learn what it is like to volunteer at a non-league club.”