PAUL Carden’s reign as Warrington Town manager is over.

National League North strugglers AFC Telford United have confirmed his appointment as their new boss, bringing a five-year reign at Cantilever Park to an end.

Assistant manager Mark Beesley will take interim charge of the Yellows team for Saturday’s FA Trophy clash with Morpeth Town as the search for Carden’s successor begins in earnest.

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In a statement, Yellows say they did “everything they could” to persuade Carden to remain at Cantilever Park.

They have also confirmed that as part of their agreement with Telford, none of Town’s current squad will be approached to follow Carden to the New Bucks Head until the end of the current season.

“Warrington Town can confirm that Paul Carden has left the club to take up the managerial position at National League North side AFC Telford United,” Yellows’ statement read.

“It is with a heavy heart that the club parts company with Paul, and we did everything we could to persuade him to stay.

“He has led the club to its highest ever league position, third in the Northern Premier League, in his two full seasons in charge.

“No one connected with Warrington Town will ever forget the NPL play-off final win away at South Shields, which in any other season would have earned both Paul and the club a deserved promotion.

“Unfortunately, the pandemic robbed Paul of the chance of following that up in the past two seasons, and finishes with a win percentage of just over 50% in 221 games in charge.

“His focus on doing his best for the club and his players throughout his time meant that it was only right for the club to do the same for him when receiving the approach.

“We know how difficult of a decision it was to make but that Telford is a big club with fantastic facilities.

“Paul had a great relationship with everyone at the club and will be sorely missed. He and his family will always be welcome at Cantilever Park.”

Following their 2-2 draw at Mickleover yesterday, Yellows confirmed they had received an approach for Carden’s services and that they had reluctantly granted permission for the unnamed club – which later emerged to be Telford – to speak to their manager.

Carden leaves Town sixth in the Northern Premier League Premier Division table, one point outside the play-off places with a game in hand.

Overall, he took charge of 221 Yellows games since taking over in October 2016 and in both of his full, completed seasons at Cantilever Park, he took his side to the play-offs.

The 2017-18 season saw them beaten in the play-off semi-final by Grantham Town and reach the last 16 of the FA Trophy.

The following season, they won their divisional play-offs by beating Nantwich Town and South Shields only to fall victim to the one-off “super play-off” as they were beaten to promotion by King’s Lynn Town.