New season, new look- How Warrington Town could look next season.

Cantilever Park

Since promotion from the Northern Premier League, a lot of things have changed for Warrington Town. From Town's first game of the season ( a 4-0 win at Southport), 6 players have left the club which include last seasons number 1 Tony Thompson went to Bootle, fullback Mitch Duggan departed for Vauxhall Motors, Aaron Bennet and Jordan Buckley made the switch to FC United and fan favourite pair Bohan Dixon and Luke Duffy both joined Robby Savage's Macclesfield. It's not just been departures for The Yellows as several players wore the yellow and blue this season with Peter Clarke and Danny Atherton arriving as trialists and have become crucial team members, several loans as Aaron Petifier (Preston), Dylan Motley-Henry (South Shields), Josh Popoola (Stockport), Kacper Pasiek (Preston) and Dubem Eze (Norwich) all being temporary members of this fantastic side. We also saw one of the biggest signings in the clubs history as former Liverpool, Derby, West Brom, Norwich and RB Salzburg defender Andre Wisdom signed for The Yellows after taking a brief career break.

It wasn't just the squad that changed, we saw increased crowds as we averaged around 1,200 fans per game putting us 10th in the average attendance list. A new league for the very first time as promotion has seen us play at the highest ever level the club has ever been at being the National League North (Step 2 of the National league system and the 6th tier of English football) and we have well and truly earned our place in this division next season. We also saw Cantilever Park be renamed to the UNIS Compliance Stadium and a huge stadium renovation as a new stand and facilities helped keep Warrington in the league by ground regulations. It has been a great season with a lot of change and I believe the upcoming season, we may see more of it.

Rumours are surrounding the clubs kit make Macron will be replaced next season with it potentially being a new kit make for the first time since 2016. Departures will probably be seen with Andre Wisdom's contract coming to an end and he may want to find a way back up the football league as well as players who are top level academy graduates like Danny Atherton and Isaac Buckley-Rickets, potentially grasping interest from divisions above. More renovations will look to be made, with the addition of new turnstiles finishing off the 1st phase of renovations and a new away terraced stand will be implemented soon. The snack bar will be repaired and an architect is rumoured to be coming to Cantilever Park to asses what other work could potentially be done. New signings will also be key to next season as the squad looks to have more options in depth for when eventual tiredness settles in. Here is a few players I believe we could see line up in yellow and blue next season.

Dylan Mottley-Henry

A man who wore Town colours for 6 appearances, Mottley-Henry quickly became a fan favourite as he scored a last minute header against Spennymoore in an eventful 3-3 draw. He has since played against The Yellows as he was loaned out to Buxton where he has impressed scoring 4 goals. His power, pace and ability was a treat at The Wire and having gained some love from our fans he may move to WA4 at the end of his South Shields contract.

Kacper Pasiek

The Youngster originally joined on work experience for 28 days from Preston North End where he has been a great versatile edition to the side. Looking at his best at left back, Pasiek will be looking for more first team opportunities and having settled in quite well with the squad, Town could look to loan Kacper back next season.

Mikey Howard

The former yellows striker joined from Skelmersdale in 2022 but struggled to make a major impact in the team. With the striker rumoured to be training with the first team already, a return for Mikey Howard may be on the cards this summer.

Dubem Eze

The Norwich man has been on loan at The Yellows since March and has been quite the player. Adding a bit of attacking quality certainly payed off as the attacking midfielder has scored 2 goals since arriving and has adapted well to playing off the left of the front three. Eze is rumoured to be joining Bolton Wanderers this summer, but a loan move from wherever he is contracted to could be a very good possibility.

These are deals that very well could happen for Warrington Town, but there are some players I think The Yellows could like to strengthen in to help with the congestion and quality of the National League North.

Declan Howe- Gainsborough Trinity- Striker

The 26 year old striker has been on fire for Gainsborough this season scoring 21 goals since his arrival from Ilkeston. He has had previous NLN experience as he signed for Darlington from Cleethorps followed by a move to Alfreton. He offers an eye for goal which Town lacks in moments. I imagine many clubs will be interested in Howe but if Warrington were able to pull of this move, it would be very interesting to say the least.

Connor O'keefe- Macclesfield- Goalkeeper

The Macclesfield goalkeeper has been at Warrington Town on dual registration but is yet to play a game. Warrington currently only have 2 first team goalkeepers with George Goudie playing a few games in the Cheshire Senior Cup and Danny Atherton filling the boots of the departed Tony Thompson. Another keeper would help Atherton massively as he has played near enough every league game this season and an opportunity for a rest would be great for him. With Mac having multiple goalkeepers, this deal could happen.

Bohan Dixon- Macclesfield- Midfielder

Now this is an interesting one. Bohan Dixon left Warrington Town earlier this season after Macclesfield paid £4,000 to sign the 34 year old. He has barely featured however for Mac and rumours are they are trying to get rid of Dixon on a free transfer. Dixon is a Warrington legend and with Town only having 3 official midfielders, bringing in depth that we know, love and is experienced at this level, seems like a no brainer.

Joe Ferguson- FC United of Manchester- Right Back

21 year old Joe Ferguson has been an important part of FC United's team since arriving from Marine in February. The right back is a former Blackburn youth academy graduate and has been a solid option in three NPL clubs. Whilst only being 21, he would add much needed youth in one of the oldest squads in the league whilst giving another option at a position I believe we are quite light in.

How we could line up

I imagine Mark Beesley will stick with his 4-3-3 formation as it has proved time and time again this season to be effective but with departures in mind and if the transfers I have mentioned do come to light then we could see something like this.

GK- Atherton/O'keefe*/Goudie

RB- Ferguson*/Walker

CB- Gumbs/Hannigan/Clarke/Wisdom*

LB- Pasiek*/White

CM- McDonald/Williams/Harris/Dixon*/Eze*

LW- Buckley-Rickets/Grivosti

RW- Woods/Howard*

ST- Howe*/Amis

*may not be in the squad.

This is just a prediction with some outside shouts based on my opinion but I am sure Toby Macormac, Mark Beesley and Warrington Town will make the best decisions for the club and I can't wait to see how we are next season. Up the Town!