Ellison replaces Cooke in Runcorn Linnets dugout

News of Ellison's appointment came on Friday night, less than 30 minutes after the club had announced the departure of his predecessor.

After more than five-and-a-half years away, the decision sees Linnets legend Ellison return to the club he previously captained and spent several seasons managing.

In his first spell at the helm, Ellison took charge of 187 games - more than any other manager at the club - and won 107 times.

First appointed in the summer of 2016, he led the club to the NWCL title in only his second season in management.

During their first two seasons in Step 4, Ellison led Linnets to a credible sixth-placed finish in 2018/19 as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs, before the following campaign was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

After four seasons in charge, the club made the decision to part ways with Ellison in May 2020.

More recently, he had been in charge of Widnes, guiding them to the NPL West Division title last season. However, he was left without a job following their subsequent resignation from the league last summer.

Ellison will inherit three of last season's title-winning squad - Matty Rain, Sean Miller and James Steele - and will also be joined in the APEC Taxis Stadium dugout by Lee Bignell, who was part of his backroom team at Widnes.

On the appointment, Ellison said: "I'm delighted. Obviously the circumstances around it have been a bit strange, it has been a bit of a whirlwind.

"I had a really lengthy conversation with Brad [Cooke] and he decided that he needed to move on. Timing is everything, and I felt that the time was right.

"It's a massive club, and everyone knows my affiliation [with Runcorn Linnets]. I was here for 10 years as a player and manager, we've had success, and it's an opportunity I couldn't let pass me by.

"Our ambitions are aligned, and I cannot wait to get started."

Ellison's predecessor Cooke made the decision to resign following the club's heavy 5-0 defeat to Witton Albion on New Year's Day.

They are currently sixth in the table, just one point outside of the play-offs.

Former Atherton Collieries player, captain and manager Cooke led Linnets to Cheshire Senior Cup glory during his time in charge, which began in February 2025.

Last season saw the club finish 11th in the table.

And earlier this campaign, they also enjoyed a record-breaking run to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup before falling to a narrow 1-0 home defeat to National League North side Buxton.

Confirming his resignation, Cooke described their recent defeat to Witton as a "real low point" and "difficult to accept", and that the appointment of Ellison gives him "comfort" that the club can continue its promotion push.

The statement read: "I would like to thank Pete and Jeff for giving me and Rob the opportunity to manage this incredible football club.

"Yesterday was a real low point and a performance that is really difficult to accept, but I don’t want that to tarnish the work that’s gone into getting to this point.

"When we walked through the door, our ambition was to bring success and the good times back to Runcorn, and we feel that has been achieved.

"But in order to take this group to the next level, we feel a change is required.

"That’s the focus for me, and the change in manager with the club in a healthy position in the league feels the right decision for all involved.

"The club has to capitalise on recent success. The new appointment gives me comfort, knowing that the club is in good hands and will be managed by a brilliant man."

Ellison's first game back at the club will come on Tuesday night at home to Chasetown, who also find themselves without touching distance of the play-offs.