RUNCORN Linnets have landed ex-Harrogate Town goalkeeper George Caulfield for their assault on North West Counties League Division Two.

Caulfield is among a clutch of play-ers to have signed ahead of the club's first friendly against St Helens Town at Knowsley Road on Tuesday, , ko 7.45pm.

The 25-year-old Liverpudlian has been out of the game for three years after surgery on a leg.

He was unearthed at the club's successful trials and with about half the squad still to be finalised, there is scope for others to stake their claims in warm-up matches.

Those to have put pen to paper are striker Thomas Lamb, centre back Ricky Newall, full-back/assistant manager Mark Phillips, plus midfieldmen Colin Quirk and Seb Langley. Waiting in the wings to join are striker Andy McCoy and left-back Scott Forster.

All played UniBond football for Runcorn FC Halton last season.

It looks as if Linnets will play just the four friendlies after reluctantly shelving a proposed game against Runcorn Town.

Linnets secretary Tony Waddington said that with his own club starting from scratch and Town undergoing managerial change and pitch renovation, it had been difficult to agree a date.

He said: 'Town manager Tony Murphy rang me this week to say they could do August 9 but we were already due to play Rossendale on August 8.

'I put it to the board on Monday but we felt it would have been unprofessional to cancel the Rossendale game.'

Meanwhile at Tuesday's Runcorn Football Supporters' Club AGM, it was formally agreed to transfer allegiance from the dormant Runcorn FC Halton to Runcorn Linnets. nLatest invited guests to Runcorn Town's pre-season party need no introductions.

Ex-Runcorn FC Halton player-manager Liam Watson will arrive at Pavilions with the other Linnets - from Burscough - for a friendly on Saturday, August 5 (ko 3pm).

Watson took charge of the Lancastrians after leaving Southport in the summer.

He has fellow Runcorn FC old boys Joey Dunn and Chris Price alongside him.

Watson has also signed his one-time Runcorn charges Tony McMillan, Mike Tomlinson, Kevin Leadbetter and Dominic Morley.

Town will also entertain Warrington & District Premier League side Monks Sports on Thursday, August 3 (7pm).

Town's pre-season schedule begins next Tuesday with the visit of Altrincham (ko 7pm) and continues at Flint Town United on Saturday, July 29 (ko 3pm).

Runcorn Town reserves host Altrincham FC Youth on Tuesday, July 1 (7pm). nEverton Reserves will open their season with a home mini-derby against Liverpool at Halton Stadium on Tuesday, September 12.

Manchester United reserves visit on December 12.