Warrington Town suffer blow as first-choice goalkeeper leaves club

Atherton first joined the club in 2021 and went on to make 145 appearances over two spells, featuring in both the Northern Premier League and National League North.

However, following the Yellows' relegation back to Step 3 at the end of last season, Atherton has opted to move on.

It has already been a busy summer at the Cal.Delivery Stadium, with three new signings joining and 10 members of last season's squad leaving to pursue new opportunities.

Warrington Town say that Atherton submitted a formal transfer request and the club have agreed to sanction a move, despite the goalkeeper being under contract for the 2025/26 season.

The former Liverpool academy shot-stopper is expected to move to another team in the Northern Premier League for a fee of around £7,500.

Announcing the circumstances surrounding his departure, a club statement read: "Despite being under contract for the 2025/26 season, Atherton had been courted by multiple other clubs without permission.

"Out of respect for a player who has made 145 appearances for the club since 2021, an offer was made to improve his existing contract terms but a set deadline passed without a response. Atherton then requested to be transfer listed.

"With a squad re-build ongoing and the importance of a committed group, the club made it clear that he would only be sold should an appropriate offer be made for his services.

"Another Northern Premier League club has since made an acceptable bid, and Atherton will move on, enabling the club to now re-focus its efforts on the task at hand building up to the new season, having lost a chunk of time dealing with this unexpected issue."

Atherton is expected to join FC United of Manchester. 

In doing so, he will link up with former Yellows manager Mark Beesley, who left the club last September after an eight-year association as both manager and assistant to current boss Paul Carden.