Former Everton starlet Lewis Warrington has opened up on his disastrous loan move to Plymouth Argyle, which ultimately led to him being released from his boyhood club - though not before playing in the Premier .League.
Warrington made just two appearances for the Pilgrims after being signed on a season-long loan by fellow former Evertonian Steven Schumacher in July 2023. But the highly-rated midfielder made just two league appearances for the Pilgrims and was sent back to Merseyside in the January 2024 transfer window.
His only start in an Argyle shirt came in the side's 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Bristol City at Ashton Gate in September 2023. He never played for the Pilgrims again. Despite failing to impress for the Greens, Warrington was called upon by then Toffees manager Sean Dyche to make his Premier League debut in the penultimate game of last season, coming on as a substitute for Everton in a 1-0 win over Sheffield United.
Warrington was nonetheless released by Everton at the end of the season and signed for League One outfit Leyton Orient. They loaned him out to Salford City in League Two this January, where he has found regular first team football in recent weeks.
Former Everton academy starlet Lewis Warrington in action for his current club, Salford City. Image: Salford City/Howard Harrison
Lewis Warrington in action for his current club, Salford City (Image: Salford City/Howard Harrison)
Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO about his doomed spell at Home Park, Warrington said: "I have enormous respect for all the staff and players and fans at Plymouth. But it was tough, because you just want to go and play football, don't you?".
Warrington said he believed he may have jumped a step too quickly considering the gulf between mid-table in League One, where he had had a previous loan spell with Fleetwood, and the second tier.
"It was a good learning curve," he added. "And I really enjoyed it."
A reported injury towards the end of his spell at Argyle led to his perhaps unexpected Premier League bow, as he returned to Goodison Park to find himself involved in the first team once fully fit.
He said: "I was training well and I think the gaffer liked me. All the staff were like: ‘Lew, just be ready.’ I remember we went to Chelsea and I was on the bench when we got battered. I don't like to bring it up but I thought I might have got on there. I'm probably glad I didn't. I'm happy I got on when I did. It was in the sunshine, Goodison, we were winning, you can't ask for more, really, can you?
“And everyone was there - not just my family but all my best mates and people I grew up going to the match with, as well."
Lewis Warrington looks on minutes after coming on for his Premier League debut during Everton's match with Sheffield United at Goodison Park last May. Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Lewis Warrington looks on minutes after coming on for his Premier League debut during Everton's match with Sheffield United at Goodison Park last May (Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Recalling his debut, Warrington added: "The game was going on and I was like, ‘I hope he brings me on here’, because it was perfect. We were winning and I was just staying ready and then, when I got on, I just went numb.
“I thought, you know what, just get on the ball and make your first pass. And that was it really. I got on the ball a couple of times and didn't give it away.
It is hard to put into words. I've been a Blue all my life and you work towards moments like those but when I was growing up I didn't really think about it. Then at the back of last year I thought I might make my debut because I was training well and the gaffer took a liking to me.
“When I came on the pitch it almost felt... numb. I can't really remember it very well but I got off and I was overwhelmed. I was just shattered in the night. My mates were like, ‘go out and celebrate and all that’. I just needed my bed! I think I was in bed by 9pm that night. I had just made my Premier League debut but I was just worn out.”
Join our Plymouth Argyle WhatsApp community for transfer news and top stories sent directly to your phone
PlymouthLive has launched a Plymouth Argyle transfer news and top stories group on WhatsApp and we want you to join us. Once you sign up for our updates, we'll send all the latest straight to your phone.
To join our community, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'Join Community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the PlymouthLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.