Warrington Town complete first two summer signings ahead of NPL return

The pair become the club's first signings upon their return to Step 3, after spending the previous two seasons in the National League North.

Butler, 22, came through the ranks at Swansea City and hometown club Wrexham, and played for Paul Carden during a loan spell at Nantwich Town in the first half of the 2023/24 season.

Comfortable at centre-back and right-back, Butler then moved on loan to Marine, where he was part of their team that secured promotion to National League North.

He made his move to Marine permanent last summer, making seven appearances, and then went on to play 21 games in the Northern Premier League for Leek Town and Prescot Cables on loan, where he finished the season strongly.

Butler said: “I’m looking forward to getting back in. I can’t wait to get going. Hopefully I can use that experience, I’m only 22 but I feel like I’m not a young lad any more, and so I want to play a big part here. The goal is to finish as high as possible and see what we can do.

“Paul didn’t have to sell it to me. I’ve been here before, I know it’s a great fanbase and it’s a big club for the level, and I have worked under Paul before at Nantwich so I know how he works and it was a big pull for me.”

Warrington Town manager Paul Carden added: “Scott’s an old head on young shoulders. He’s outstanding at reading the game, his composure on the ball and he can step out with the ball from the backline and understands when to play and when not to play.

"He’s a good age, doesn’t miss football, he’s low maintenance and someone who I think the lads will really take to because of the way he plays.

“He will come in and be a big part of where we want to go to, because of the way he does things, how he is and his hunger and drive to play all the time which is what we need.”

Joining him at the Cal.Delivery Stadium for the upcoming campaign is James Melhado.

The 24-year-old full-back played 27 games for Truro City in National League South in 2023/24 before joining Nantwich Town last summer, where he featured 45 times.

He joined Wolverhampton Wanderers at the age of nine and went through their youth system, turning professional in 2021 with Salford City, signing a two-year deal, featuring on loan for Ashton United, Telford United and Hereford during that period.

On his move to the Yellows, Melhado said: “I’m delighted to have the deal sorted. I’ve worked with Paul before at Telford and I really enjoyed my time there, and he gets the best out of me.

"I know exactly what he wants and expects from me, and I think he’s going to push me to the next level and be the right man to push Warrington to the next level again, too.

"It’s a really good set up here, the pitch looks lovely, nice and wide, so it should suit me to a tee.

"Fans can expect lots of crosses into the box, lots of assists, and I’m good one-v-one both attacking and defensively."

Carden added: “He’s a very athletic, quick and strong one-on-one defender who likes to bomb on.

"He’s full of energy, he only missed one game last season, and he’s someone the fans will really take to. He’s a good age, he’s still got that drive and hunger to kick his career on."