PREPARATIONS for the 2018-19 season are already underway at Warrington Town.

Chairman Toby Macormac and manager Paul Carden have already been discussing potential signings, as well as which existing Yellows players to keep at Cantilever Park.

Town finished third in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s top-flight but their campaign ended with a 3-0 play-off semi-final defeat to Grantham Town last week.

Macormac says he is yet to determine a playing budget for Carden to work with, but says that will be his next priority.

“I suppose you could say it’s a disappointing end to a great season,” he told the Guardian.

“We’ve taken a big step forward, and Paul has been a pivotal part of that.

“He’s come in and made changes in pretty much every part of the club. I’ve given him as much backing as I can give him and we’ve got some great players in.

“There’s a few things we’ll be doing differently next season and we’ve already discussed that and agreed upon things where we thought we went wrong.

“We’ve been on the phone every day since the Grantham game, talking about players departing and ones coming in. We’ve put a shortlist together.

“We’re looking to keep the nucleus of the squad together.

“The lads on loan will go back and there will be other players who depart, but we want to keep at least six or seven of the lads.

“The main thing he wants to know from me is what his budget is, but I’ve not been able to give it to him yet unfortunately. I’ll be working on that for the next couple of weeks.”

After their strong campaign this time around, Yellows will be among the favourites with some observers to challenge for the league title when the new season gets underway in August.

However, Macormac says that will be tricky and that expectations must be “tempered.”

“It’s going to be almost like it was a couple of seasons ago when we had Salford and Darlington in our league,” he said.

“It was difficult to have a go because those two were always going to run away with it.

“I’m not saying that’s what it will be like next year, but it is similar.

“South Shields and Scarborough are coming in and they both get 1,500 fans at their home games.

“Shaw Lane won’t make the same mistakes as they did this year, Hyde have got a lot of FA Cup money to spend, Basford are coming in with a big budget as well.

“Already, you’re playing for sixth or seventh.

“It will be a really tough season next year, but I know Paul will be as shrewd as we can in the market.

“It can be tough when you finish third because there can be an expectancy sometimes with people thinking we can go on and win it next year.

“There’s no reason why we can’t get to the play-offs again next year, but I think the expectation is something that needs to be tempered.”