Saying farewell to the National League North

The Yellows will bid farewell to National League North, hopefully for just a season, with a visit to Buxton this weekend.

After two seasons in the sixth tier of English football, Warrington Town will return to the Northern Premier League for 2025/26 hoping to bounce straight back up.

They do have pedigree in the NPL, and have actually won two of the last five play-off series that have been completed (2018/19 and 2022/23) and will aim to make it a hat-trick next term.

In National League North, all eyes this weekend will be on the battle for top spot and promotion to the National League.

Kidderminster, who the Yellows beat back in August, have it in their hands - if they win away at Southport, they will be champions. But if they don’t, Brackley Town are poised and ready.

Brackley sit level on points, albeit with a much more inferior goal difference, and they have a home tie against basement club Farsley Celtic on the last day.

Scunthorpe in third still have an outside chance of winning the league, but they would need both Kidderminster and Brackley to drop points (and also overturn a five-goal difference deficit to Kidderminster), and to beat Hereford.

Hereford are one of six teams battling for the three remaining play-off spots. As well as the top three mentioned, Chester are secure in the play-off positions.

King’s Lynn (79pts, +10) are virtually there. A point at home to Chester guarantees their berth, but they would only need a point if all three of Hereford (76, +18), Chorley (76, +23) and Curzon Ashton (76, +18) win.

The outsiders are Buxton (74, +22), who will need to beat the Yellows and hope results go their way elsewhere and FA Trophy finalists Spennymoor Town (73, +25).

Hoping to bounce right back

At the other end of the table, as well as the Yellows and Farsley Celtic, Rushall Olympic and Needham Market have also already had their relegation confirmed.

Farsley and Rushall will likely join the Yellows in the Northern Premier League and supporters of those clubs will be hoping for a quick return.

Many are prepared to back their aspirations by placing real money bets for an immediate bounce back at the end of the 2025/26 season. If you’re one of them, you might like to know that when betting on any outcomes relating to the beautiful game, respected betting data analyst Kate Richardson recommends using the mightytips.com top-rated bookmakers guide. It's a great place for helping you find a football betting platform that’s the best fit for you.

The new Northern Premier League season is likely to get underway on 9th August.

Unfinished business for Paul Carden

For Paul Carden, being in the Northern Premier League as Warrington Town manager is far from unchartered territory. He led the club to two top three finishes, including the 2018/19 season when the Yellows won the play-offs for the first time in the club’s history. The side were also flying high in third when COVID curtailed the 2019/20 season.

After departing to take the step up to go to AFC Telford United in November 2021, he returned to Cantilever Park earlier this season.

When he was reappointed as manager for a second spell, he said in an interview with the BBC, “I am obviously delighted to be back," and referred to his 25-year friendship with his former replacement, Mark Beesley, and his good relationship with chairman Toby Macormac as being key influences.

While relegation has been confirmed for several weeks, the manager has long been preparing for next season and ensuring focus on the games remaining.

As he recently said, "Nothing will change in terms of what we’re looking for in these last few games - we want to win. We’re looking for people to stand up and be counted on no matter what. To have a bit of pride in the shirt."

Strong community spirit

Although relegation is a blip, there is no doubting the growth of the club and its importance within the community over recent years, amplified by the two seasons in National League North. While it has brought challenges in terms of competing financially, amidst the greater costs of playing higher up the pyramid, it has seen some tremendous crowd fundraising, new sponsors and a general togetherness to help the club fulfil its potential. On top of that, chairman Toby Macormac promises he's on the lookout for new investors to help accelerate growth, but in a sustainable fashion.

So, although there'll be a few tears shed over saying goodbye to National League North, Town’s supporters will have hopes of making an immediate return from the Northern Premier League.

The article was provided by Kate Richardson