After the refusal by the FA of being able to take Wes Wilkinson on loan from Nantwich Town, Athletic have stepped in and signed the player on contract for free. Wilkinson is the first full contract signing since the dark ages before the “A” word and has already scored 21 goals in this seasons campaign. The initial deal is until summer and, after a two match trial, the Latics wanted to take the player on loan but because Nantwich Town are a North West Counties League side they are too far down the football pyramid for the FA to approve a loan.Wilkinson signs
After the refusal by the FA of being able to take Wes Wilkinson on loan from Nantwich Town, Athletic have stepped in and signed the player on contract for free. Wilkinson is the first full contract signing since the dark ages before the “A” word and has already scored 21 goals in this seasons campaign. The initial deal is until summer and, after a two match trial, the Latics wanted to take the player on loan but because Nantwich Town are a North West Counties League side they are too far down the football pyramid for the FA to approve a loan.In an unusual agreement between the clubs, the Latics have agreed to send a team to play a pre-season friendly at Nantwich as a build up game before the start of next season. Nantwich will also receive a nominal fee if Wilkinson signs a permanent contract for next season plus another bonus if he makes 15 first team appearances. Should Athletic sell the player on at a later date Nantwich will receive 20% of any subsequent transfer fee.
Alan Hardy said, “I must commend Nantwich Town and particularly their Chairman Clive Jackson, for the way in which they have conducted negotiations allowing Wes to join us initially until the end of the season. All along Nantwich only had the well-being of the player in mind and I am pleased that if the player does well at Boundary Park then Nantwich Town will eventually benefit.”