Runcorn Linnets are extremely disappointed to report that Ryan Brooke, having agreed terms to stay with us in the coming season, has today informed the club that he is signing for Warrington Rylands 1906.

We were delighted when Ryan, given his scoring profile and cult status with the fans, shook hands on a deal with our new manager Dave Wild after receiving an offer from Rylands.

The Northern Premier League West Division champions have since returned with an improved financial package - one that we could not match, even if we wished to.

As fans ourselves, the Trust Board shares the anguish our supporters will feel at losing a player of Ryan's calibre.

We did all we could to try to keep him and, as with all our players, he has been well looked after during his time with us.

The club thanks Ryan for his outstanding contribution, particularly his scoring feats of last season when he won the NPL West Golden Boot.

It isn't the first time we have lost an influential player and we move on in the knowledge that we have always recovered from such blows in the past.