WARRINGTON Town have once again been hit by paperwork delays over a new signing.
Defender Alex Whittle, 25, has agreed to join the Yellows but was unable to feature in Saturday’s win over Marine, and the cup tie at Runcorn Linnets, due to another frustrating international clearance issue.
The former Liverpool junior, who spent 11 years at Anfield as a very highly rated young prospect, last played for Southport in National League North though penned a deal to move to Croatia in the summer.
That means to join a club in England, he would need international clearance – though it has since been confirmed that as the move didn’t materialise, the Croatian club had cancelled his registration with the Croatian FA.
Despite the Yellows having this confirmed, they are still waiting on the English FA to process the registration and enable Whittle to become available for selection by Paul Carden.
Even more frustratingly, is that Yellows officials have been rapped for their diligence in trying to release Whittle’s registration, which once again leaves a player unable to play and unable to earn, as was the case with Dave Raven and Jack Mackreth earlier in the campaign.
A left-back, Whittle was brought in to deputise for Adam Hughes, who suffered a hamstring injury in the win at Hyde United last Tuesday night.
Whittle played 78 times for Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Football League, having got his chance when Warrington-born former Manchester City left back Stephen Jordan was made redundant following the club’s administration.
He played 59 times in the National League for York between 2016 and 2018, and has also had spells at Fylde, Southport and Forest Green.
