WARRINGTON Town have brought in seven new players so far this summer as the 2017-18 season draws nearer.

Yellows boss Paul Carden has signed three defenders, two wingers and two strikers with differing levels of previous experience ranging from the Football League to the Europa League.

Here is the lowdown on all seven of Town’s signings so far:

TONY GRAY:

Age: 33    Position: Striker    Signed from: Airbus UK

GRAY was Yellows’ first signing of the off-season and an impressive one at that having forged a reputation as a prolific non-league goalscorer.

His spell in Welsh football saw him play in the qualifying stages of the Europa League but before that, he scored 42 goals in 92 appearances in the National League, the highest level of English non-league football.

Gray has twice commanded a transfer fee when moving clubs, with Droylsden paying Southport £7,000 for his services in 2008 before he moved from Chester to Telford for £9,000 in 2013.

What they said:

Yellows boss Paul Carden: “Its common knowledge that we lacked a finisher last season and Tony certainly is one.

“His record speaks for itself. Everywhere he’s been, he’s scored at a rate of pretty much one goal every other game.”

JOSH HINE:

Age: 26    Position: Striker    Signed from: Salford City

ARGUABLY the stand-out among Yellows new recruits so far, Hine’s arrival is one that raised eyebrows up and down the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

The striker had a brief loan spell at Cantilever Park in the 2012-13 season, but it is at spells with Skelmersdale United and Chorley where he rose to non-league notoriety.

Salford, backed by the ‘Class of 92’ group of ex-Manchester United players, parted with an undisclosed fee to sign Hine in 2016 and he helped them win promotion from this division that year.

What they said:

Paul Carden: “It is a great signing for us and it’s a massive statement of intent. It shows where we want to take the club.

“I think Josh felt it was important that he played for a team that was challenging at the top end of the league, which is what we want to do, rather than just floating around in mid-table.”

CONNOR HUGHES:

Age: 24    Position: Winger    Signed from: Worcester City

ANOTHER new recruit who plied his trade at a higher level last season, Hughes is hoping to kickstart his career after a serious injury.

After making eight Football League appearances for Oldham Athletic, Hughes had successful spells at Hyde and Bradford Park Avenue before Worcester paid an undisclosed fee to sign him late in 2016.

However, in one of his first games for the club, Hughes suffered a knee injury that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

What they said:

Yellows chairman Toby Macormac: “We were keen to strengthen on the flanks and Connor is a player that can play on both the left and right side.

“He clearly has decent pedigree, having moved clubs for a fee less than a year ago, and his injury wasn’t as bad as first feared.”

SHAUN BEELEY:

Age: 28    Position: Full-back    Signed from: Barrow

BEELEY is another player arriving in Warrington having made an impact higher up the footballing pyramid.

The right-back won promotion from the National League with Fleetwood Town, earning an England C cap in the process, before playing in the Football League for Bury and Morecambe.

What they said:

Paul Carden: “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call from Shaun Beeley’s agent to say he was available. I sort of dismissed it at first as I thought he’d get a full-time deal.

“He said he was sick of chasing full-time football at 28 and wanted to devote more time to his teaching career while still playing for a club with ambition.

“Shaun will give us a real calming presence in defence as well as being excellent going forward from full-back.”

LIAM GOULDING:

Age: 21    Position: Defender/Midfielder    Signed from: Wealdstone

HAVING been on a professional contract with Accrington Stanley, Goulding was sent on loan to the non-leagues to get vital first-team experience.

He has impressed at spells with Witton Albion, Chorley, Marine and, most recently, Wealdstone but was released by Stanley when his deal expired.

What they said: Paul Carden: “Liam is a very elegant player and is extremely comfortable on the ball. He can play at centre-half, at right-back and in midfield.”

JACK HIGGINS:

Age: 25    Position: Centre-half    Signed from: York City

THIS time last year, Higgins was making headlines when he gave up his job as a teacher for a shot at professional football.

He joined York City, only just relegated from the Football League, and made 15 appearances for the Minstermen before ending the season on loan at fellow National League club Southport.

Higgins has previous at Evo-Stik Premier Division level, winning the division’s Defender of the Year award while at Ashton United in 2015 before moving on to Stalybridge Celtic, where scored an impressive 13 goals from defence in the 2015-16 season.

What they said:

Paul Carden: “Jack is a good age for us, is an intelligent lad and spent last season playing Conference football.

“He’s an old-school centre half, an organiser and a leader. He’ll compliment the other options we have at the back.

JOE MWASILE:

Age: 23    Position: Winger    Signed from: Nantwich Town

ZAMBIA-BORN winger Mwasile looked set to join first Altrincham then Southport before ending up with Yellows for the new season.

Having played in the Football League for Morecambe, Mwasile dropped into non-league with spells at Workington, Salford, Marine and Nantwich Town.

What they said:

Paul Carden: “Joe has got extreme pace. He’s had a bit of an up-and-down summer but we’ve been there to pick up the pieces.

“He gives us a different option out wide to what we already have in Connor Hughes and Dylan Vassallo.”

The Warrington Guardian will have all the very latest news from the Yellows as they gear up for the new campaign.