RUNCORN Town has agreed a new deal with a Runcorn firm - the 10th year of its partnership.

The team has done a deal with Viridor Runcorn for the 2024/25 season.

Viridor will continue to support the historic football club, which has been a pillar of the Runcorn community since its first season in 1968.

The funds generated from the sponsorship will help maintain the grounds and the club house as well as ensuring the teams have updated home and away kits for the new season.

The Sandy Lane-based football ground will continue to be called the Viridor Community Stadium.

And, prior to the season launching, Viridor employees came off the bench to volunteer alongside Runcorn Town committee members and get the Viridor Community Stadium ready for the first whistle.

There are now shiny new signs throughout the grounds and volunteers helped to paint the stand and lines around the pitch, as well as maintaining other aspects of the grounds. Viridor’s sponsorship will ensure the return of the VEO camera, an innovative piece of equipment that plays a key role in training sessions. The VEO camera can automatically focus on the ball, and even on individual players, tracking movements up and down the pitch. Aside from helping with training, it also films match days so fans can watch games online.

Runcorn Town FC are in Division One South of the North West Counties Football League.

Alan Bennett, commercial director of Runcorn Town FC, said: “We are delighted that Viridor is continuing its generous sponsorship of Runcorn Town FC.

"Our partnership with Viridor helps to maintain the club and enables it to continue playing this level of football. Without this sort of external funding, football clubs like ours simply wouldn’t survive. We’re grateful to Viridor for their support and are looking forward to continuing our long-standing relationship.”

Ritchie McCreanor, a team leader at Viridor Runcorn and Runcorn Town FC fan, was among the volunteers at the stadium maintenance day. He also attended Runcorn Town’s home game against Eccleshall and heard first-hand the positive impact that the partnership has on the Club.

Ritchie added: “Viridor has worked with Runcorn Town FC for over a decade and we have developed a great relationship with them. We’re committed to being a good neighbour and will continue to support and champion the Club whenever we can, so it was great to volunteer at The Viridor Community Stadium and attend one of the first games of the season. We wish them every success!”

Viridor operates the Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) at Runcorn, which is just a corner kick away from Runcorn Town FC. The sponsorship fee was paid from Viridor’s WeShare Community Fund, an annual £300,000 fund which is shared among projects across the country with a focus on community, involvement, education and sustainability.