WARRINGTON Town boss Stuart Mellish, who has made two new signings, says the decision to release four players from his promotion-winning squad was “extremely difficult”.

Ally Brown, Joe Holt, Warren Beattie and Michael Lea have all been told they are free to leave Cantilever Park after playing a part in the club’s finest ever season, winning promotion to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.

Mellish praised the job all four had done for the club and expressed his best wishes for their future footballing careers.

“It’s always difficult when you have to tell players they are being let go but that’s football sadly,” he said.

“It was an extremely difficult conversation to have but I can’t thank those four lads enough.

“They have been great pros and I wish them all the very best for whatever they decide to do, but we have to concentrate on getting the squad ready for next season.”

While those four are leaving, Mellish has secured the signings of defender Andrew Nicholas and winger Scott Harries.

Former Swindon and Rotherham defender Nicholas arrives from Marine, where he wore the captain’s armband as well as scooping their Player’s and Supporter’s Player of the Year award last season, while Harries was named in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North Team of the Year after a stellar season with Clitheroe.

Mellish says both signings are statements of the club’s intent, with Harries’ agreement to join the set-up in particular being hailed as a significant move.

“Scotty Harries should not be playing at this level, he should be playing much higher,” he said.

“He’s a player I’ve admired for some time and the fact he’s agreed to join us is a massive coup.

“Andy Nicholas is vastly experienced in not just non-league but the Football League as well, he is mainly a left back but can do a job at centre-back as well.

“He knows the game well and I’ve been really impressed with him.

“We’re going into a different league but these signings along with the others we plan to make show what we’re about.

“I’ve been fully supported by the chairman and there’s a bit more wheeling and dealing to be done yet.”

The capture of Nicholas and Harries follows hot on the heels of landing former Halifax and Chorley frontman James Dean.

Town’s players return to pre-season training at the end of the month.

“I spoke to a few of the lads over the weekend and we’re hungry to get going again,” he said.

“We’ve enjoyed a good break and we’ll savour the last of it because the hard work starts again soon.

“We’ve got plenty of pre-season games lined up so we’re in the best shape we can be when August comes around.”