WYLL STANWAY has moved to Barrow from Chester for an undisclosed fee.

He kept 19 clean sheets in 46 National League North games last season and told the Barrow website: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign for my hometown club. It happened quite quickly, but I am happy to get it finalised.

“You can see the direction the club is going, and I am excited to be a part of this. I can’t wait to get going.”

News of Stanway’s signing came just hours before boss Pete Wild left the League Two club by mutual consent.

Wild signed a three-year deal 12 months ago after spells at Oldham and Halifax and oversaw an eighth-placed finish this season, one point adrift of the play-off positions.

“Following a post-season review, Barrow AFC can confirm that it has today parted company with their manager Pete Wild,” the Cumbrian club said on their website.

“It became apparent during the review that the club and Pete had different perspectives on the way forward, so it was mutually agreed that this was the best and most appropriate way to proceed.”

As for Stanway’s exit from The Deva, Blues boss Calum McIntyre said: “Firstly, I want to congratulate Wyll on earning himself this terrific opportunity to progress into the EFL, particularly with his hometown club.

“He has had a superb season and quite rightly his performances have been recognised further up the pyramid.

“Wyll’s commitment this campaign has been incredible given some logistical challenges and it is important to recognise the significant contribution his parents have made in supporting him.

“I would also like to pay testament to our goalkeeper coach, Neil Ebbrell, who has worked relentlessly with Wyll. Neil was an important acquisition for us and his work is already yielding results on and off the pitch.

“Over the past two years, we have worked hard on how we operate as a football department and I am pleased that the proactive nature of how we handled Wyll’s contract situations both in 2022 and in 2024 have seen us receive a transfer fee for him.

“There has always been a strange culture around our club when we use the phrase “undisclosed” in that there is an assumption that the fee is insignificant. I can assure our supporters that we have received a significant fee which I hope to be given the opportunity to reinvest in the squad. The sale of players for these type of fees needs to be a significant part of the club’s model.”