A former Carlisle United player has sparked a row in non-league circles.
David Raven is planning to move from Marine to Warrington Town to take on the role of assistant manager – but the news hasn’t gone down well with his current club.
Marine – the club the defender has been playing for – have said they will be reporting Town to the FA and the Northern Premier League.
Raven played for Warrington Town for two seasons, before leaving to join Marine last summer and since then he’s been a key figure in the Merseysiders’ league and cup progress.
Mark Beesley was promoted to take over as Warrington manager following Paul Carden’s recent departure, and Town then targeted their former centre-half as his number two.
Marine currently top the NPL West table and are seen as the main threat to Workington Reds’ own title hopes.
Marine have issued a statement expressing their dismay at the circumstances of Raven’s departure.
“Marine Football Club have been informed that David is to join Warrington Town as their Assistant Manager,” the statement read.
“Contract player David recently expressed his desire to leave the club and join Warrington Town.
“Marine have repeatedly tried to persuade David to remain at the club until the end of the season to fulfil his contractual obligations before taking his path into management.
“Despite the club offering a number of options to support David in his request for an amicable departure, none of these were accepted. David then informed the club he is retiring from football with immediate effect.
“As far as Marine are concerned David is still a contract player up until the end of the current season.
“Due to how events have unfolded over the past two weeks Marine have reported Warrington Town to both the FA Integrity department and the Northern Premier League.”
Raven was a popular player for Carlisle United between 2006 and 2010 when he played 137 games.
