The club has now issued a further statement concerning the resignation of Joey Dunn.

Club Chairman, Derek Greenwood, was saddened after a period of discussions with Joey to accept his resignation. "We are all desperately sorry that Joey has felt the need to make this decision but fully understand his reasons for doing so. We have lost the best manager in the league and it has been a privilege to work with Joey" said the Chairman.

Joey added; "Early in the summer, we discussed my need for a break from the game. We looked at possible scenarios but ultimately I just felt the need for a complete break and the club accepted this. The role of a manager is all consuming and this ultimately has taken its toll. It would be easier for there to be a specific reason cited, but there is not, and I trust that you understand that for me to walk away from being manager of The Linnets, I am 100% convinced, is the right thing to do. It would be more damaging and wrong for me to stay in position.

"I have been immensely proud and honoured to serve as the Manager of Runcorn Linnets and can say that the club are the best run I have ever been lucky to serve under. The board have been totally supportive in everything I have asked in my time here. I would wish to leave with only positives from my experiences here and will be eternally sad that I could not deliver the much sought after promotion, but am confident that this will not be too far in the future".