THREE players have agreed new terms with Warrington Town as they prepare for a first season in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s top flight.

Captain and leading scorer Ciaran Kilheeney, vice-captain Jay McCarten and goalkeeper Karl Wills have signed new deals to stay at the club for the forthcoming campaign.

All three featured in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North Team of the Year after Yellows won the title with a record 106 points.

Striker Kilheeney led the charge, scoring 37 league goals after re-joining the club from Droylsden.

Central defender McCarten joined the club in 2012, and is now the club’s longest-serving player following the departure of winger Chris Gahgan, who has joined Welsh side Colwyn Bay.

Wills, born and raised in Warrington and a former student at Padgate High School, will enter his third year with the club and along with McCarten was part of a side that made it to the FA Cup second round in the 2014/15 season.

Meanwhile it has also been announced that defender Craig Robinson has left the club to prolong his playing career.

The 35-year-old took up a player-coach role at the back end of last season, but has now linked up with Trafford.

He will go down in Town folklore for scoring the winning goal in a historic FA Cup first round victory over League Two side Exeter City two years ago.

However after falling behind McCarten and former Liverpool centre-half Daniel O’Donnell in the pecking order he has decided to link up with the First Division North side.

Chris Gahgan, Joe Holt, Warren Beattie, Ally Brown, Phil Dean and Michael Lea have also left Cantilever Park as preparations for the new season continue, while there have been some players moving in the opposite direction.

Striker James Dean has arrived from National League North side Chorley, while midfielder Scott Harries and defender Andrew Nicholas have joined from Clitheroe and Marine respectively.

The players return for pre-season training on June 30, and the club have lined up several pre-season friendlies as they ready themselves for life at a higher level.

Arguably the most enticing of those fixtures is the first one.

League Two outfit Carlisle United visit Cantilever Park on Wednesday, July 13, kick off 7pm.

The Cumbrian side, who are managed by former England international Keith Curle, finished 10th in English football’s fourth tier last season as well as reaching the FA Cup fourth round.

A trip to Brickfield follows on Saturday, July 16 before the Yellows are on the road again, this time to face North West Counties League side Nelson on Tuesday, July 19.

Welsh Premier League side Rhyl provide the next test on Saturday, July 23 before the team make the short trip to face neighbours Widnes FC at the Select Security Stadium on Tuesday, July 26.

Garforth Town host Mellish’ side on Saturday, July 30 before they make their final away trip of pre-season on Tuesday, August 2 when they face Mossley.

The Yellows wrap up their preparations for the new season with a home game against London-based VCD Athletic on Saturday, August 6.

A first league game follows seven days later.