FOOTBALL clubs from across Halton are set for new talks over the future development of the sport in the area, it was announced this week.

It comes after the release of an independent report into the grass roots game by the Football Industry Group, based at the University of Liverpool.

Led by renowned football expert, Rogan Taylor, their published findings found that, although investment in the sport was high, clubs still need to raise their profile.

The report mainly looked at the relationship between Runcorn FC Halton and the surrounding community.

It suggested that the club, who share the Halton Stadium with Widnes Vikings, was seen as a distant cousin rather than a resident of the ground as it was veered majorly towards the popular rugby league side.

"The rugby club have office space and a shop...and the signs says 'Welcome to the home of the Vikings'," the authors state. "Inside the ground, most advertising is by Widnes firms and there is very little mention of Runcorn."

The club's poor financial state was also accredited to the fact that only the first team are allowed to use the impressive stadium - causing the disbandment of the club's reserve and youth sides.

But despite "considerable resistance" from traditional supporters - a number who still refuse to attend matches while the team play outside of Runcorn - of those fans asked, 79 per cent (221 of 280) felt that the move from their Canal Street base to the Halton Stadium should be a permanent one.

"Many also noted that a permanent move would help the club 'represent' the greater Halton community and be seen as less of a 'Runcorn' team," the report went on.

"However, the large majority of supporters still live in Runcorn -therefore the attempt to position the club as a pan-Halton team appears not to be working."

Regarding its role in the community, fans also felt they should become more involved, listing regular coaching sessions and youth teams, a change of name from Runcorn to Halton FC, more tournaments and better marketing as their chief suggestions.

But in concluding their findings, the report adds that the club's main aim, as with other teams across the district, should be to promote better community links, as well as creating "clearer and stronger" associations with schools.

The group also suggest Runcorn target new housing estates to encourage more fans, perhaps using mail-shots or free introductory offers, and work more closely with the Vikings to raise awareness of both club's sporting events.

The team could even exploit the potential of fans supporting the side as their "second team," advertising in programmes for Manchester United and Liverpool matches.

The study, which was commissioned by Halton Borough Council, will be discussed in full at a club forum to be organised in the coming weeks.

It is hoped the meeting will kick-start a major development in the local game and reduce the division between Runcorn and Widnes, particularly in the facilities available in the latter.

There exists a considerable appetite for playing and watching football in Halton and the report suggested that the potential for spending was "quite substantial."

The current spending on the sport, already 20 per cent above the national average, is believed to be in the region £6 or £7 million per year.

Cllr Phil Harris, the council's executive member for sports development, added: "There is great potential in both towns but it needs to be developed in a structured way to be successful. This report will help kick start that process."