Cooke's new arrivals will bolster spine

RUNCORN Linnets boss Brad Cooke has moved to strengthen in all areas as he continues to build his squad for the forthcoming season.

- BY DAVE BETTLEY

Central defender Markell Foulds, midfielder Declan McLoughlin and striker Scott Bakkor have all joined the club while existing players continue to re-engage.

Commanding centre back Foulds, 24, arrives after last season captaining Stockport Town in the North West Counties League Premier Division, earning seven man-of-the-match awards from 42 appearances.

He ended 2024-25 on dual registration at Leek Town in Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division and joins Linnets in the West Division having already played at the level for 1874 Northwich and Clitheroe.

Linnets manager Brad Cooke said: "Markell is a dominant centre half, he is good on the ball and very athletic and is exactly what you want in a player.

"He's been very well coached and has very good pedigree, he is the perfect profile of player that we want.

"He's keen to learn and progress and we feel we have the right environment to allow him to do that."

It’s hoped that Foulds will help to bolster a Linnets defence which last season conceded 70 goals in the league alone more than any team outside the bottom three.

Foulds said: "It was an easy decision to make once I'd spoken with Brad and (assistant manager) Rob Sadler, having played against Ll