WARRINGTON Town have revealed their squad numbers for the 2024/25 National League North season, which starts this weekend.
The Yellows kick-off with one of their longest trips of the season, away at King’s Lynn Town on Saturday, and do so with two new signings in the shape of forward Gez Sithole and midfielder Mikey O’Neill.
Sithole, 21, has impressed as a trialist during the pre-season programme, scoring against Salford City, while 20-year-old O’Neill was on the books of Premier League side Burnley last season having played in the Football League for Grimsby Town and Preston North End.
Manager Mark Beesley said: “Mikey is someone we’ve been keeping an eye on for over 12 months.
“He’s an attacking midfield player, but he’s come in late so we need to give him some time to settle in and get used to how we play.
“He’s a good footballer who’s got goals in him.
“Gez gives us pace and gives us that other option at number nine. He can play wide as well, so we’ve got options up there now with Matty Grivosti suspended for the first three games.
“We’ve got to be patient with Gez – he’s come out of the full-time environment, which always takes time for young lads to get used to in terms of training at night and changing the way they do things.
“He’s direct and hopefully he’ll score some goals for us.”
O’Neill will wear the number eight shirt vacated by the departing Sean Williams, while Sithole will wear number 18.
The squad numbers were revealed at the club’s annual season launch event at the Village Hotel.
New signings Joe Rodwell-Grant (11), Murphy Bennett (14), Josh Miles (20) and Ollie Southern (21) were handed their numbers, while the returning Bohan Dixon again wears 17.
Youngsters Sam Gill (15) and Deacon Smalley (16) are given squad numbers for the first time.
Goalkeeper Dan Atherton takes the number one shirt, with seven others retaining their squad numbers in the first 11.
Unfortunately, there is no number two in the list due to the sad retirement of Dec Walker, who has been forced to hang up his boots on the eve of the season through injury.
Walker said: “It’s hard to put into words but unfortunately I have to retire from football sooner than expected due to a hip injury.
“I couldn’t have finished at a better club and been able to play a part in getting my local club promoted to its highest league.
“I have experienced a lot of highs in the game playing for Ireland, playing in Europe, winning at Wembley and not forgetting the best promotion of helping this club into the National League; to the lows of three knee major injuries and now for another injury to cut my career short.
“I’m not sure what’s next but I will be coming back to games to support the lads and hopefully see them push the club on again.
“I would like to thank Bees for bringing me to the club and the lads on what a great journey it has been.”
Warrington Town 2024/25 squad numbers in full:
1 Dan Atherton
3 Andy White
4 Tom Hannigan
5 Evan Gumbs
6 Jay Harris
7 Connor Woods
8 Mikey O’Neill
9 Josh Amis
10 Matty McDonald
11 Joe Rodwell-Grant
14 Murphy Bennett
15 Sam Gill
16 Deacon Smalley
17 Bohan Dixon
18 Gez Sithole
20 Josh Miles
21 Ollie Southern
23 Matt Grivosti
26 Peter Clarke
