Runcorn Linnets have been named as joint winners of the FA Respect Award in the North West Counties League Premier Division for 2014-15.

The Linnets and Colne, who are managed by former Linnets captain Steve Cunningham, were declared joint winners at the NWCL Annual Dinner which was held in Blackpool on Saturday after the league AGM earlier in the day.

The league made the award based on monthly Respect data issued by the FA.

Neither Runcorn Linnets nor Colne received any cautions or dismissals for dissent during a campaign in which they finished in runners-up and fourth places, respectively.

Linnets club secretary Lynn Johnston said: "We congratulate our first-team management and players on sharing this award which only goes to show that you can be successful by playing within the spirit of the game and accepting the referee's decisions."

Meanwhile, Linnets must wait a little longer to decide who will be their initial opponents in the Men United Cup, the NWCL's Challenge Cup, in the forthcoming season.

The draw, traditionally made at the league's annual meeting, has been delayed as the constitution of clubs for 2015-16 is not yet finalised.

This is because the Northern Premier League (Evo-Stik League) AGM isn't until this weekend while Whitchurch Alport's appeal against an FA National Leagues Committee decision to deny them entry to the North West Counties League will not be heard until June 26th.

As things stand, Padiham will be returning to the NWCL scene after relegation from Evo-Stik League Division One North while Atherton Collieries and Cammell Laird 1907 are promoted to the NWCL Premier Division from Division One.

Meanwhile Runcorn's first scheduled pre-season friendly at Vauxhall Motors on Saturday, July 11 has been cancelled after the Ellesmere Port club informed Linnets their ground will not be ready in time to stage the game.