Club update on new season plans

Warrington Town would like to update supporters ahead of the 2020/21 season.

Last weekend, we received the positive news that the planned start date for the Northern Premier League Premier Division is Saturday September 19, and the fixture list is currently being discussed with no details yet as to when it will be released.

The late start to the season also means a later finish – with the final game of the regular season scheduled to be played on Saturday May 8, and the play-off final the following weekend.

From the start of August, competitive training is allowed for groups of no more than 30. Pre-season friendlies are also now permitted to be played, although unfortunately these cannot be played in front of spectators.

Since the start of July, Paul Carden and the squad have been meeting up in small groups for weekend training sessions, including confirmed squad members for 2020/21 and other players and potential new signings invited to impress during pre-season.

All of the above is subject to government guidelines relating to COVID-19. The club has to put in place a number of measures relating to COVID-19, including appointing a COVID-19 officer, undertaking a risk assessment and also devising a COVID-19 Action Plan.

Meanwhile, the Social Club successfully opened at the beginning of July after undergoing some changes due to the requirements of opening after lockdown such as one way systems, sanitising stations and table service.

There has also been ground maintenance work being undertaken in the club house with changes behind the main bar, new bench seating in two areas and new carpets fitted. Alongside the social club licensing directives, the ground has also seen a new players entrance formed and work is currently being undertaken on a new roadside fixture board.

With a start date now in sight, the club plans to release Season Tickets on sale shortly. There will also be a Stand Raffle competition to win naming rights for the Cantilever bridge end of the ground, priced at £100 per ticket which will be launched later this week.

The club is actively looking for sponsors for the new season, with a range of packages available – including pitchside boards, road-side advertising, match day sponsorship and social media exposure.

A new home shirt, once again manufactured by Macron, will be revealed before the start of the season. The away kit will remain the same as in 2019/20.

Player sponsorship will also be re-launched – with a draw to be done for the 2019/20 sponsors for a shirt signed by manager Paul Carden, while last season’s sponsors will also get first refusal on renewing with their chosen player for 2020/21.

As always, other ideas and feedback are always welcomed.