RUNCORN FC have been relegated.

Results elsewhere on Monday night sent the Linnets - who lost a must-win game at Kettering 2-1 - plummeting back into the Unibond Premier Division.

"At least we know which league we'll be in next season," said a despondent Martin Fallon of the independent supporters group LIST.

"We think we can take this club back to Runcorn and keep it running in the Unibond but the ball is in the chairman's court now.

"We've submitted our business plan to him but we're in the dark as to what happens next. We're hopeful we can arrange a meeting with him soon."

This off-field confusion can have done little to help player-manager Steve Soley rescue an already ailing side following previous boss Alvin MacDonald's departure several months ago.

Runcorn had to beat play-off chasing Kettering on Saturday to have any chance of overhauling relegation rivals Stalybridge.

But a 2-1 away defeat in which the only high point was midfielder Matty McGinn's wonder goal, coupled with Celtic's two home wins in three days, meant it was Runcorn relegated with one game still to play.

That game will be played as a home fixture at Southport's Haig Avenue this Saturday against Lancaster but where Runcorn's ground will be next season remains uncertain.

"Even if we play at Prescot Cables for a couple of seasons it would give us a chance to look into bringing the club back to Runcorn," Mr Fallon added.

"But it's the chairman's decision not ours. Until he makes his mind up we're all in the dark."

But chairman Dr David Robertson last night contacted the World to confirm that Prescot Cable's Valerie Park remained the homeless club's best bet while it 'regrouped and refinanced' to sustain it's long-term future.

"Prescot Cables is the least expensive option and we need to live within our means," he said. "We still need inward investment and I will be having discussions in the next few weeks about how we can sustain the club.

"I can always see myself as a life-long fan and involved in some way but depending on the size and quality of an investment I would not stand in someone's way if they will improve the club.

"They just have to show me the money."

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