Flynn’s Retained List

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The six players released from the club are Gareth Phillips, Jamie Wood, Terry Evans, Steve Watkin, John Williams and defender Neil Sharp. Mumford, who has a year to run on his contract will be available on a free if a club comes in from him although I understand that he will remain at the Vetch Field in the meantime.

The official site reports that ‘contracts’ have been offered to the following ten players although we also understand that at the moment monetary terms have not been talked with these players, they are just the ones that Flynn wishes to release. The ten players are

Roger Freestone, Roberto Martinez, Jason Smith, Kris O’Leary, Mickey Howard, Lee Jenkins, James Thomas, Marc Richards, Kevin Nugent and Jonathan Coates.

There are also still talks going on with Leon Britton, Keiron Durkan, Lenny Johnrose and Matt Murphy.

The release list possibly gives a couple of surprises in Gareth Phillips and Terry Evans who some would have thought could/should have been retained. Mumford has been out of favour this season but I am surprised at the decision to make him available on a free transfer. The logic of that decision will be seen over the next couple of months as to whether he attracts interest from elsewhere.

The release of Watkin, Williams, Wood and Sharp is not a surprise and with Wood going it means that only James Thomas remains at the club from the signings made last summer by former manager Nick Cusack who last night was at the Vetch to watch Roger’s testimonial.

The players that have been offered ‘contracts’ contains no real surprise unless maybe you look at Jonathan Coates and Kevin Nugent – particularly from the voting by the fans in the recent poll on who should stay or go.

Talks with Leon Britton will appease the fans and it is interesting to note here that although Leon was on loan this could be a permanent move. If you consider that no mention has been made of Alan Tate or Leon Hylton in the official release and that Marc Richards is on the retain list – could this be more than just a loan move for Leon? Also still in talks are Keiron Durkan and Matt Murphy who will both divide the fans – my personal opinion is that Durkan should be released although I would be tempted to give Murphy a short term (say 3 month) contract but that is personal opinion.

The release of the list today, to me, is a clear indication that our board are confident that Brian Flynn will sign the contract they are reported to be offering him. It would seem wrong to allow a manager to release players if there were plans afoot to replace him – never say never and all that but that is what logic tells you. And if Flynn does sign what is on offer then it will come down to him to replace the players that we have lost today.

High on that list I would guess would be a central defender (possibly Tate back on a year’s loan?) and a midfielder with that area seeming a little light. With only three strikers being offered deals in Nugent, Thomas and Richards then a move there seems likely as well as someone who can fill in at left back, right back or possibly both?

I would like to wish all the players who were released from the club the very best for their future wherever that may be and whilst some were maybe not as popular as others they have done their jobs at some stage for the club and they should go with our thanks rather than our ridicule?

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