MANAGER Chris Lightfoot has urged the critics and rumour-mongers to get off Runcorn's back.

The player-boss says people should stop maligning chairman Dr Dave Robertson and club secretary Debbie Quaile and offer the club some positive support in a crucial week ahead.

Player-boss Lightfoot, who has just embarked on the biggest 10 days since Runcorn's relegation from the Conference, admits he has heard the rumour the club is packing its bags to move in with former landlords Witton Albion.

He said: 'I have heard the rumour and spoken to the chairman about it.

'He doesn't know where it has come from. But there are all sorts of rumours going around and none of them are true.

'There always seems to be rumours putting the club down or someone having a pop at the chairman and Debbie.

'It's about time people got off their backs and let them get on with that they do - the chairman paying the wages and Debbie sorting everything else out.

'If it wasn't for Dave Robertson, there would-n't be a Runcorn Football Club.

'He has been paying the wages for the last three or four years out of his own pocket.'

Lightfoot added: 'The games coming up are massively important to us.

'It would be nice if we could get a few people there backing us. Whether we do or not remains to be seen.

'With it being really important to the club, maybe we might get a few diehards who have not been for a few years starting to turn up again.

'I was talking to a fellow the other day and he said he was a diehard. But the last time he went was three years ago.

'How do you class yourself a diehard when that's the case? Diehards follow you through thick and thin and yet we have some people who just haven't been seen at games classing themselves as big Runcorn supporters.

'I am sure there would be more benefit if these people came along and threw their money across the turnstile now and again.

'We have people who just go to away matches and only put money in other clubs' pockets, which is disappointing. But I suppose these things happen and I suppose they will keep on happening.'

Runcorn now face four games in eight days during a run-in which could make, although not quite break, their Conference North ambitions.

There is still the play-off route if Runcorn fail to make the top-13 cut but that is a lottery in which the Linnets would prefer not to have a stake.

'It has got close,' admitted Lightfoot.

'Once we get in the top 13, it is up to us to stay there, but I can see it going down to the wire.'

The last game of the season, at fellow contenders Altrincham on Saturday week, is looking like a possible decider and what a prospect that would be with all the history between the two arch rivals.

'Hopefully it won't come to that and we'll get something out of the next few games so we are all right. I think if we can win four out of the last five, we will be OK.'

Three of the remaining four games are at home with Stalybridge's visit this Saturday being followed by that of Harrogate on Tuesday and Wakefield & Emley a week tonight (Thursday, April 22).

Lightfoot expects on-loan Matty Platt to be back in contention this weekend after groin trouble.

There are no suspensions beckoning but the Linnets are still missing ex-Port Vale midfieldman Craig Mitchell (ankle).