RUNCORN'S late, lamented Canal Street is in a new book, The Non-League Football Grounds of Cheshire.

It is included - alongside Northwich Victoria's former Drill Field and the ex-Central Ground of neighbouring Witton Albion - in a section aptly titled Gone But Not Forgotten.

Author John Keohane devotes two pages to the Linnets' ground from 1918-2001.

But some of his comments may not find favour with fans.

'Inside, Canal Street was a real mish-mash of stands, covers and bits of terracing, all of various ages and styles, grouped around a badly draining pitch that sloped gently down to the Manchester Ship Canal lying between the ground and the Mersey,' writes Keohane.

'The ground was no great beauty - you could see as well as smell the local chemical industry. But it was an integral part of 'old' Runcorn.'

Keohane can, of course, be dis-passionate. But in many ways, Canal Street was a typical non-league ground - built piecemeal by different generations as necessity arose or finances allowed.

It certainly had more appeal than the concrete stadia now being built even at semi-professional level.

Keohane gives a full description of Canal Street, touching on the impact made by the 'triple disasters' of 1993-94 when the main stand burnt down, the West Terrace roof blew off and part of the pitch perimeter wall collapsed in a high-profile FA Cup tie.

He adds: 'The life of the Canal Street ground ended suddenly and with little ceremony.

'The last competitive game saw Runcorn lose 2-1 to Gateshead on May 5, 2001 and the final match was a low-key charity game.

'In the programme for the Gateshead game, Runcorn justified the move to Widnes by saying that 'the essence of a football club is not where it plays but the people who are part of the organisation'.

'You wonder if some of those people wish they had never left Canal Street.'

Supporters will at least agree on that point.

There are pictures and information on the grounds at Pavilions in Weston Point, including Mond Rangers FC - 'a ground which could easily be missed but I stumbled across it visiting General Chemicals' ground next door,' adds the author.

'Only time will tell how the occupation of this venue evolves.'

If Mond get the go-ahead to change name to Runcorn Town, he could soon be adding another chapter.

The book is available at £9.95 from John Keohane, 39 Brookhouse Avenue, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 9LY.