Ellison brings back familiar face

Midfielder Ronnie McCarthy rejoined the new EVO-STIK League West club's ranks on Wednesday, along with promising teenage defender Declan Gallagher.

Like striker Kurt Sherlock who returned to last season's North West Counties Football League champions last week, McCarthy is a familiar figure at the Millbank Linnets Stadium having initially joined the Linnets in August 2016 on dual registration with Skelmersdale United.

A holding player who can also operate in central defence, the hard-working 26-year-old is pictured putting pen to paper on his return for Linnets secretary Tracy Measor. The former Widnes player came off the bench to make his debut in Ellison's first competitive win as manager - a 4-1 home victory over Irlam - before going on to play for Burscough.

Also pictured signing for Measor, Gallagher was drafted in by Ellison to boost his defensive options after impressing during a pre-season trial spell. A tall and confident centre-back, the 19-year-old lifted the Cheshire Amateur Cup with Vauxhall Motors last season.

A youth player on the books of Mersey Royal and Skelmersdale United after Wigan Athletic, the teenager earned a hat-trick of national cup title representing Liverpool County FA's U18s after similar success with Liverpool Schoolboys U15s and his school's U16s.

Ellison told the club's wesbite: "Declan is a young player with great potential."

Images courtesy of James Eastup/RuncornLinnets

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