Mark Beesley reflects on his time as Warrington Town manager

His three seasons as manager saw him guide the club to their highest ever level on the field while off it, the Town operation continues to grow and develop.

However, all good things must come to an end and following a difficult start to the season culminating in another early FA Cup exit, it was confirmed on Sunday that Beesley had stood down from his role.

In a final interview with the Warrington Guardian, the now former Yellows boss admits that, while he agrees his departure was what’s best for the club, the days since have been “difficult.”

That said, he insists his admiration for the club, its chairman Toby Macormac and the supporters remains undimmed.

> Read our interview with chairman Toby Macormac about the club's search for a new manager here

“The place will always be in my heart – of course it will,” he said.

“It’s been a difficult few days since the decision was made, but I just want to say thanks to a lot of people.

“From the ladies on the turnstiles all the way up to Toby and Lisa, who have been brilliant.

“The players past and present, more specifically the present players as they’ve agreed to stay this season despite having to take a financial hit. That shows what kind of people they are and I’m proud to have been associated with them.

“Last but not least, I want to thank the supporters because they’ve been so supportive of me.

“I’ve had so many messages since Sunday and I feel like I’ve done a good job in representing them.

“In years to come, I hope the club is still at this level if not higher and I can come back to watch a game and have a beer with people.”

Having arrived back at the club he enjoyed a brief loan spell with as a player in October 2016 as assistant manager to Paul Carden, Beesley took the reigns when Carden was tempted away by AFC Telford United in November 2021.

He guided them to the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-off final in the remainder of that season only to lose to Scarborough Athletic.

The following season, however, the job was completed – following a season that saw them go on a club record 25-game unbeaten run, they finished second to champions South Shields but this time, got the job done in the play-offs thanks to a dramatic late victory over Bamber Bridge at a sold-out Cantilever Park.

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts celebrates scoring the goal that won Town promotion to the National League North in May 2023 (Image: JONATHAN MOORE) Their first season at National League North level was a successful one as they finished in the top half but following the departures of key players such as top scorer Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, vice-captain Sean Williams and ex-Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom as well as Beesley’s trusted assistant manager Dave Raven, things have been more difficult this time around.

As Beesley leaves, the club sit 18th in the table but the FA Cup second qualifying round loss to Radcliffe on Saturday – a game they led at half time before conceding an injury-time winner – proved to be the final straw.

However, Beesley insists he has parted with the club on the best possible terms.

“After the result on Saturday, we had a meeting and it was clear after it that a change was probably imminent,” Beesley said.

“I thought it through, came back on the Sunday and we amicably decided that a change was probably for the best.

“The main thing for me was that I didn’t want to leave having fallen out with anyone.

“We’ve parted on great terms and I wish the club all the best as we both move forward.

“It’s been a really difficult six months – trying to sign players has been difficult – but the respect I’ve got for Toby and everyone here is immense and will never change.

“He gave me the opportunity here and I can never thank him enough for that, and I think I’ve more than repaid him.

“I think I can leave here proud of what we’ve managed to do, the biggest thing being of course getting the club into the National League North and sustaining that.

“Everything about the place is bigger now – the crowds have pretty much doubled, the matchday experience is fantastic and there’s expectation that comes with success.

“We’ve made that because of what’s happened over the past three years.

“The club’s going from strength to strength – what’s going on off the pitch is great – and I’m glad to have been a part of that.

“There’s some really good players in there. There’s some young lads that need a bit of fine-tuning but overall, there’s some excellent players at this club.

“Whoever comes in has got a good group to choose from.”

Naturally, the play-off final victory stands out among Beesley’s best memories of his time at Cantilever Park, he was also keen to pick out some other highlights including the 4-1 semi-final hammering of Matlock Town that preceded it.

They also included the home win over Chester on New Year’s Day this year as well as thumping National League North away victories at Southport and Curzon Ashton.

Luke Duffy celebrates during the 2023 play-off semi-final win over Matlock Town - a game in which Town were 4-0 up inside 40 minutes (Image: Sean Walsh) “The Matlock semi-final is one that will stand out,” he said.

“We stood at the side of the pitch watching a completely dominant team for 45 minutes – on another day in a semi-final where there should have been some nerves, it could have been 10-0.

“Last year, beating Chester at home in front of 2,000 people was unbelievable.

“We’ve had some great away trips as well – Southport and Curzon stand out not necessarily for the wins but for the sheer amount of supporters we took.

“We took over Curzon and made it like a home game, and to take more than 400 fans to Southport was testament to what we’ve done on the pitch.”

Town's first game as a National League North club saw them hammer Southport 4-0 in August 2023 (Image: Sean Walsh)