Evan Gumbs: I have unfinished business in National League North

Warrington Town centre-back Evan Gumbs admits it was an easy decision to remain at the club heading into the 2024/25 season.

The 26-year-old was one of 11 players announced to stay at Cantilever Park, as part of the club’s official retained list last month.

Next season will mark Gumbs’ eighth with the club. To date, he has made 136 appearances since his debut against Corby Town in January 2017.

A key part of the promotion-winning team of 2022/23, the former Players’ and Fans’ Player of the Year winner only made 17 starts last season due to a hernia injury and is determined to bounce back and improve upon that tally when the new campaign comes around.

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“I would’ve liked to have been fit enough to have enjoyed a full season in the National League North, but hopefully I’ll get that this year,” he said.

“I’ve probably got a bit of unfinished business on my end, so there were no real issues [agreeing a new deal].”

Gumbs has credited the squad and the atmosphere around the club as one of the main reasons why he penned new terms at Cantilever Park.

“When you’re in a good changing room, you want it to stay that way, and this has been a good changing room for as long as I’ve been here,” he added.

“These are good lads, good players and good staff, so that’s a massive factor in the lads staying.”

With veteran Football League defender Peter Clarke and the experienced Tom Hannigan also signing new deals for the 2024/25 season, Gumbs is committed to making a starting centre-back berth his own after featuring across the back four during the second half of last season.

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The no-nonsense is hoping that competition for places will bring the best out of all three experienced defenders – and insists pre-season provides the ideal opportunity to stake their claim ahead of the 2024/24 campaign.

“I enjoyed it [playing at left-back and right-back]. It was something different and it was great to be back playing,” he admitted.

“We’ve got the quality of Tom and Peter, so it will be tough [to earn a starting spot] and I won’t shy away from that.

“I’ll train well like I always do, and hopefully I’ll kick on and perform well.”

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