PAUL Bowyer admits he did not want Ryan Mitchell, who has agreed to sign for City of Liverpool, to leave.

The versatile defender’s departure for the promoted Purples, victors in the North West Counties League Division One play-offs last season, was announced on Monday night.

However 1874 Northwich’s joint manager has assured supporters there is a plan in place to replace a player that has made more appearances for the supporter-owned club than any other.

“It’s happened quickly, in the past week or so,” said Bowyer.

“I think the offer they made to Ryan has come at the right time, when he was thinking about a different challenge.

“They have a huge following, and are likely to challenging at the top of the table next season – it’s understandable he’s wanted to take that opportunity.

“He was in our plans, and he knows that, and we’d have loved to have kept him. He’d agreed to stay initially when we spoke to him after the final game.”

Mitchell, who lives in Winsford, signed for 1874 at the same time as Bowyer shortly before the start of the team’s inaugural campaign.

They had played together previously at Alsager.

The 27-year-old has since become an accomplished central defender after switching from an attacking full-back role.

Bowyer said: “That’s the biggest compliment I can pay to him; he’s kicked on so much since moving into the middle.

“It’s pretty rare to see him have a poor game, and he’s played as often as he has because of his consistency – we’ve felt able to rely on him.”

Together with co-boss Wayne Goodison, the task now for Bowyer is to replace him.

The duo knows too that Mitchell won’t be the only player to leave St Luke’s Barton Stadium this summer.

“We’re ready for that, and we’ll make sure we have replacements lined up,” added Bowyer.

“Not much has changed for us, and we’re feeling positive about the conversations we’ve had with lads, both those here already and others we’d like to sign.”

He told the Guardian that the club’s policy of not naming new recruits until they have been registered will continue.

League officials do not start accepting paperwork for non-contract players until the start of July.

“It’s frustrating for supporters, I know that, but at the same time we’ve got to not let what other clubs are doing bother us,” said Bowyer.

“We’ve got faith in the way we’re doing things.”