Club update: May 2023

It has been just over three weeks since the momentous play-off final victory in front of a sell-out crowd that earned our place in National League North for next season.

Work on preparations for the new season started pretty much the day after the final and lots of hard work continues to be done behind the scenes.

Ahead of planned announcements over the next few months ahead of the new campaign, the club can provide an update on certain areas.

Squad news

Negotiations with the first team squad have been ongoing for several months, and multiple players had signed contracts for next season prior to the end of the season regardless of what division we would be playing in.

Some players have taken holidays following the end of the season, and so an announcement will be made on retentions once all paperwork is completed.

Season Tickets

We plan to launch Season Tickets for the 2023/24 season before the middle of June. The scanning system in place for match tickets is being implemented for Season Tickets for the 2023/24 season. You will have the option to request a physical card (with scanning code) or you can simply use a digital Season Ticket (in the same way to how match day tickets are sent).

Buying a Season Ticket is the best way of supporting the club. The system will also enable us to continue to ensure all-ticket matches in the cup and play-offs are prioritised for Season Ticket holders to thank them for their support.

We are also intending to offer the ability to reserve seats in the main stand at Cantilever Park.

Pre-season friendlies

We have arranged a pre-season schedule of eight fixtures, starting on July 4th.

We are currently awaiting confirmation from a Football League side before we can finalise and announce the full programme of games, which we hope will be possible next week.

The National League North season is due to start on Saturday 5 August.

Ground improvements

There are a number of areas that need to be worked on to meet the ground grading criteria required for National League North. While the deadline for these works isn’t until March 2024, clearly the plans and funding for the work needs arranging imminently.

We also expect there to be requirements to segregate crowds ahead of the March deadline for ground improvements, which provides further urgency.

In terms of the main works required:

• Additional turnstiles
• Increased capacity
• Segregation
• Extra seating (for segregated area)
• New snack bar and bar (for segregated area)
• New toilets (for segregated area)

Work is being done on the specifics of each requirement once when confirmed, we hope to be able to communicate with supporters.

We are also looking at ways we can increase hospitality and covered bar areas, and the possibility of a scoreboard.

The biggest challenge will be that of funding. While there will be funding pots available to us, we have to go through the application process for these and work cannot commence until the funding is allocated. We would also need to match any funding provided.

We have already received some offers of support from the local business community, including existing sponsors and members of the WTFC Business Club, which we hope to pull together soon.

Other fundraising ideas are also being considered, once we are able to confirm an appropriate target to reach.

Community

You will have seen that recently we were invited to a Civic Reception at Warrington Town Hall with Mayor Cllr Jean Flaherty.

Evan Gumbs visited Locking Stumps Primary School with the NPL play-off trophy and winners medal as part of a school careers and interests day.

Walking football, kids camps and community football have all been taking place on the 3G pitch.

Player sponsorship & events

Player sponsorship will be available for next season, with additional benefits and opportunities.

A season launch event is already being planned with a new club partner.

Other sponsorship packages are available, all of which help with the operating of the club.

• Pitchside boards
• Match Sponsorship
• Kit Sponsorship
• Community partnerships
• Stadium and stand sponsorship
• Ticketing sponsorship
• Digital and social media sponsorship
• Yellows TV title partner
• Yellows Live commentary partner

We are always on the look out for new sponsors and partners that can help the football club.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact james@warringtontownfc.co.uk