Allotments 4 All

I have had my stawberries in the same patch for two years ans always get fruit.  I have never cut the down for winter, but was told I need to do this in order to help growth next year.  DO I cut them right down to soil level, or just leave them.  I am also planning to take as many runners off as possible.  CanI just cut these straight form the plant and pot them in pots of soil and leve in my greenhouse, or do I need to let them root first before cutting.

Let them root first.
Clearing off the old foliage helps to get rid off pests that may be lurking in the ddead leaves... commercially I think they even burn it off... I don't always bother..  :)