Our second signing of the evening, like the first a centre half standing at 6ft 4in, might be new to the club -  but he has something of a Linnets pedigree.

Sam Heathcote's dad Graham served our predecessor club Runcorn AFC in the mid to late 1980s as assistant to manager John King, having been an outstanding midfield player for Altrincham.

Sam duly followed in his father's footsteps by representing the Robins but he joins us from West Didsbury & Chorlton, who he captained to the North West Counties League Division One South title in 2021-22.

Sam had been with the Mancunians since December 2019.

He started as a junior with Manchester United, playing at centre forward.

However, his senior career was launched as a centre half - albeit a goalscoring one!

Sam made a remarkable entrance for Altrincham as an 18-year-old to grab a stoppage-time Moss Lane goal against Cheltenham Town with only his second touch of his debut!

The effort, in September 2015, earned Sam's hometown club a 2-1 win in the Vanarana National League.

He went on to make 50 more senior appearances for Altrincham.

2016-17 saw the player being loaned to Hyde United, where he made six appearances and in 2017-18 Sam played 29 times for Ramsbottom United.

Operating as a makeshift striker, he netted 11 goals. One of these ironically came against Altrincham at Moss Lane in the FA Trophy, although it was only consolation in a 4-1 defeat.

Sam returned to Hyde United, if only briefly, and upon leaving the Tamesiders in August 2018, he appeared against Linnets for Trafford early in our first NPL season.

The player subsequently opted to return to Altrincham to play Reserve team football to "get back enjoyment" from football.

Just before Christmas 2018, Sam moved to Wythenshawe Town and in September 2019, he linked up with Widnes.

Among his five outings for our Halton neighbours was a 2-1 home defeat by Runcorn Linnets.

It was from there that Sam signed for West Didsbury & Chorlton, where his influence in last season's success was plain to see as he scored an astonishing 30 goals from defence.

As farewells were said earlier this week, West's manager Chris Rowley described Sam as a "leader on and off the field".

Welcome to Runcorn Linnets, Sam.We are sure you'll like it here!