The Northern Premier League
Linnets Legends - Bobby Fraser

Bobby Fraser had many of the traits that made Jock Cunningham, he was strong, uncompromising but most Linnets fans will remember Bobby for his ability in the air. He was an excellent header of the ball.

Bobby Fraser started his career with Runcorn during the John Williams era. He joined us in 1980 from Winsford, one of the band of players who had played there under Williams. He started life as a centre forward but will probably be remembered best as a quality centre half. Born in Liverpool in June 1960, Fraser was 6¡ä0¡å and 12st 7lbs. He had played for Liverpool as a youngster and had also been at Tranmere, Porthmadoc before moving to Winsford with Williams. So by the time he came to Canal Street, Fraser was to prove to be the foundation of Williams¡¯ team which had such huge success in the 1980s.

During his time at the club, Fraser won the NPL Championship and the Alliance Premier League, was a beaten Finalist in the FA Trophy at Wembley,received 2 winners medals in the Cheshire Senior Cup and in the Bob Lord Trophy! Quite a collection and no wonder he is recognized as a Linnets Legend. I remember the outstanding performances he had in the two legged semi ¨C finals of the FA Trophy against Kettering. We drew the first leg 0 ¨C 0 at home and I remember the elation of the Kettering fans as we walked off Canal Street. They thought they had done the hard work.

But we knew that John Williams teams did not concede goals easily with players like Fraser at the heart of the defence and goals by Ossie Smith and Dave Mather on that unforgettable day down at Kettering saw us reach our first Wembley Final after all the heartache of 3 semi ¨C finals during the 1970s. What a shame Fraser couldn¡¯t finish his career at Runcorn with an FA Trophy winners medal. But it wasn¡¯t to be as we lost the final 1 ¨C 0 to Altrincham, having played a huge number of games to catch up in the league during the run up to the Final.

Soon after that Final the clubs swapped managers with Williams going to Altrincham and John King coming to us. Inevitably Williams took Fraser with him at the end of that 1985/86 season. But his record at Runcorn together with his manager had been remarkable at it is for that reason we recognize Bobby Fraser as a true Linnets Legend.


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