SPECULATION is continuing to mount that Runcorn's next home game will be their last at Halton Stadium.

Unconfirmed reports are the Linnets will quit Widnes after the visit of Hinckley United on Saturday, February 19, and move to Witton Albion.

Wincham Park has been playing temporary host to rivals Northwich Victoria while their new stadium is built and Vics are to decamp early next month.

Runcorn had the best part of a season in the 1990s as tenants of Witton when they were forced to leave Canal Street due to a main stand fire and pitch-perimeter wall collapse.

Earlier this season, Albion hosted a Linnets FA Cup replay against Fleet-wood Town when Halton Stadium was unavailable due to pitch works.

It would be a surprise if Runcorn's situation at Widnes wasn't discussed then.

However, Witton Albion say there has been no official approach with a view to ground-sharing.

Two obvious hurdles would be the 10-year lease which the football authorities now insist should be held by clubs playing at such a level and the problems which would be caused by immediate clashes with Witton fixtures.

Linnets' chairman Dr Dave Robertson has been unavailable for comment.

The club paid the latest £3,000 installment demanded by the council on their £60,000-plus-VAT rent on Thursday after a supporter stepped in with the money.

It is believed, however, the payment came a day late.

The Linnets Independent Supporters' Trust met with Dr Robertson last week and has reportedly been offered a bigger say in the running of the club.

Fallon told the Weekly News the only person who could make a decision on the club's future was Dr Robertson, now one of only two Linnets directors after the resignation of Hedley Edwards for personal reasons.

The other is vice-chairman Ian Burgess, the chairman's brother-in-law.

But Fallon added: 'The Trust has approached Witton informally to ask would it be possible.

'They are happy for us to go there and we have let Dr Robertson know that.

'We're also going to be opening discussions with Pavilions as to whether it's feasible to move down there or not in the longer term.

'The Conference wouldn't let us move to Witton unless we are moving back to Runcorn eventually.'

Runcorn FC Halton have no assets and to move back to their hometown they would have to accept a big drop in playing standard or obtain funding.

Pavilions in Sandy Lane, Weston Point, has West Cheshire League standard facilities.

But the complex's owners have their own problems, announcing last week its playing fields could close unless funding is secured for vital maintenance work.

Grant applications to various funding bodies have been unsuccessful.

Reseeding and weed-control work on the Sandy Lane sports fields, now run separately to the Pavilions clubhouse by a not-for-profit company, was due to be carried out at the end of the season but has now been cancelled.

Matty McGinn's move to Southport is in doubt as a Coca-Cola League One team have now inquired about the player, who is out of contract this summer.

Runcorn are at Altrincham on Saturday (ko 3pm) and Vauxhall on Tuesday (ko 7.45pm), both in Nationwide North.