Retained/Released Lists 2023

[Laker]

The general feel is that Smith, Knibbs, Mitov and Jones either have clubs lined up already or fancy themselves to get a better deal elsewhere. I’d definitely have kept Smith and Jones (chortle) and possibly Knibbs. Jones swept up all the POTS awards last week and Smith has just hit 7 goals in 9 games to keep us up.

Anyway, opportunity for a clean slate for us and, let’s face it, we stumbled to a 20th place finish last season so it’s definitely correct to have a big shake up.

 

[DippyDon]

I’d definitely take George Williams back for a third spell here in league 2

 

[huddsmoose]

Williams has been really good for us. He's unfortunate that we've got a promising RB in Liam Bennett that's come through and Williams is too good/expensive to stay as back up. He'd be a top league 2 FB

 

[MatthewArgyle]

Wonder if we'll be in for Harvey Knibbs now.

 

[SVH]

Isn’t Mitov a pretty useful keeper unless mixing him up with someone else?

Excellent shot stopper, good character but for me overrated. His distribution is poor, doesn't come for crosses and a bit too lightweight. Good luck to him.

Out of the rest released the only one's I'm that bothered about are Smith and Jones. The rest was the right call.

 

[SVH]

Wonder if we'll be in for Harvey Knibbs now.

No way is he championship level.

 

[kieran_vale]

Excellent shot stopper, good character but for me overrated. His distribution is poor, doesn't come for crosses and a bit too lightweight. Good luck to him.

Out of the rest released the only one's I'm that bothered about are Smith and Jones. The rest was the right call.

Yeah Smith will be tough to replace as is any goal scorer. That said Cambridge have done it before when replacing Mullin so at least that should give some confidence.

 

[Grumpy Grecian]

Apparently ours is now scheduled for release sometime between Xmas and New Year.
(Something to do with the Official Secrets Act)

 

[leedsvaliant]

I'd probably still take Jacobs back tbh, my favourite ever academy prospect, I don't think even Toney had the talent he had when he was a teenager (though obviously wrong in hindsight considering the latter's career).

Our retained list showed zero surprises. The bulk of a squad is under contract or signed up to big deals next season, including longer contracts for Guthrie who Wrexham had a rejected bid for last year, which is both good and bad. A lot of consistency going in rather than a massive turnover which is the opposite of the last few years we've gone up, but the bulk of a success has come from have a deep fairly level squad without obvious gaps in quality which means on the other hand that we've got limited options to reinforce and improve to a League one level.

Only first-teamer who isn't under contract and offered is Koiki - if he hadn't been injured for 6 months now he might have attracted interest from one or two here because of his pace as full-back. I think as everyone else signed up a few months ago, it might suggest he was reluctant to sign back up with the interest shown in him, but I think the 6 month injury may put off his suitors now. King who has been offered terms was great when called upon this year, and would still be backup to Burge, I guess if someone in League 2 comes forward to ask him to be number one keeper who might be tempted, as he's good enough for that level. Dyche is still a teenager and 3rd/4th choice and any compensation offered I think will put others off, so 90% sure he'll sign up.

As for the released, there is nobody that anyone in this League or higher will be interested in.
David Norman - Came here on a free mid-season basically on non-contract terms to cover the 13 long injury list and the 3 centerbacks we had out injured. Great pass for a CB, but I think i'd have doubts he knows how to defend well enough for the English professional Leagues. Maybe non-league will give him a punt, Morecambe sniffed at him before we were interested in.

Josh Harrop - Same as Norman in terms on basically being paid nothing, but equally got 3 minutes football from about 5 months in the club. Seemed to think at the end of year awards his injuries are finally sorted, so maybe someone will take a gamble on him... bit of a risky one.

Jonny Maxted - Relegated to 3rd choice keeper and been out for a while due to personal reasons.

Paul Osew - Same as Normal and Harrop as coming in on tiny wages to put himself in the shop window mid-season to cover the injury crisis. Didn't play enough to get an accruate read on, but I think the one most likely to be worth a League 2 clubs interest.

Miguel Ngwa, Jack Connor, Liam Cross - All academy players on 1st year professoinal contracts who played in the Papa Johns. Need to get some regular football at non-league level to try and make it back up if they want to be pros.

We have 18 signed up now - the gaps will be the two loanees going back in Bowie and Leonard at CM and RW that will need League One quality, and also Eppiah theoretically (because he was injured and never really played), which means there's probably 3 main targets we'll need to go out and get before the teams finished.

It's good to have consistency. We essentially got to the edge of the playoffs with basically our league 2 team but then fell away badly because we didn't have those 3 or 4 players to take us to the next level. So, those 3 or 4 players you sign will be vital to how you do.

 

[K-Win]

Smith definitely seems to be on our radar so I wouldn't be too surprised if there has already been contact.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Exeter City Retained List | Exeter City F.C.

Exeter City can now confirm the club's retained and released list following the conclusion of the 22/23 EFL Sky Bet League One season.

www.exetercityfc.co.uk

Apparently ours is now scheduled for release sometime between Xmas and New Year.
(Something to do with the Official Secrets Act)

No surprises. Shame Key and Collins haven't signed, but we knew about the rest. Still be interested to see what happens to Jevani next

 

[Si Robin]

Apparently ours is now scheduled for release sometime between Xmas and New Year.
(Something to do with the Official Secrets Act)

It's here

Exeter City Retained List | Exeter City F.C.

Exeter City can now confirm the club's retained and released list following the conclusion of the 22/23 EFL Sky Bet League One season.

www.exetercityfc.co.uk

EDIT: Bollocks - Denzel beat me to it

 

[SVH]

Smith definitely seems to be on our radar so I wouldn't be too surprised if there has already been contact.

I think he’ll go to Reading.

 

[Don Tonberry]

Ours has just been released and pretty much what K-Win posted earlier: https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2023/may/pompey-retained-list-summer-2023/

Jacobs and Thompson would be decent signings for any League One club if they can stay fit. Derby have supposedly already been linked with Robertson but he's average at this level and can never stay free of injuries. I suspect Tunnicliffe and Freeman to sign for L2 clubs as that's probably their level.

Sam Smith on a free would be a solid bit of business early in the season for sure. I'm hoping we can tempt Bernard back here too as we can't be having Raggett as a first choice CB if we're serious about promotion next season.

 

[Laker]

He came from Reading originally so that would make sense. He comes across as a bit of a knob on the pitch at times but no question he’s a good striker when played correctly. And he works his socks off for the team too.

 

[Moomin]

People still saying Jevani Brown will sign on after his trial is concluded in July, providing he’s not jailed obviously. Not convinced we’d offer him a deal as it’s a PR nightmare. Time to move on now.

Blackman likely to head to the States. Good ‘keeper but replaceable. And sad to see Sparkes go but probably best and will do well in L2.

No way Collins and Key will sign so got to replace them and I can see a bid coming in for Nombe, although it’d have to be a big’un for us to accept.

Big summer ahead. Caldwell will go for some players he’s worked with before I’m sure. Wouldn’t be shocked at him going for Michael Jacobs or maybe even Will Grigg to add some experience, although wages would be an issue.

 

[Strawberry_Jam]

According to a trusted itk on our forum, we are interested in signing Jacobs again (after having contact in the last couple of windows)
We had a bid rejected for Harvey Knibbs last year, so again wouldn't be surprised if we offer him a contract as well.

 

[SVH]

According to a trusted itk on our forum, we are interested in signing Jacobs again (after having contact in the last couple of windows)
We had a bid rejected for Harvey Knibbs last year, so again wouldn't be surprised if we offer him a contract as well.

No disrespect but I think Knibbs will be aiming higher.

 

[Strawberry_Jam]

No disrespect but I think Knibbs will be aiming higher.

I'm sure he does, doesn't stop us though. I think we thought the same about Lloyd Jones.

 

[SVH]

I'm sure he does, doesn't stop us though. I think we thought the same about Lloyd Jones.

You were relegated and we went up to league one so you can hardly compare the two.

Knibbs wouldn’t make a sideways step for leaving us. I think he’ll end up in the top half of league one or with Plymouth as they wanted him in Jan.

 

[K-Win]

According to a trusted itk on our forum, we are interested in signing Jacobs again (after having contact in the last couple of windows)
We had a bid rejected for Harvey Knibbs last year, so again wouldn't be surprised if we offer him a contract as well.

Apparently Jacobs never moved his family from Northampton area so a move to you looks very likely.

One small change to our list, we are apparently in talks on a new contract for midfielder Jay Mingi. I'm surprised as it didn't seem like Mousinho rated him. Maybe our sporting director wants this one. Only 22 and has plenty of potential.

 

[Floreat Salopia]

Any other club that’s not involved in the play offs still to announce their retained list?

Ours is taking some time but assuming that’s because there’s uncertainty on who the gaffer is next season. As long as Leahy and Udoh sign then I’m happy.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Any other club that’s not involved in the play offs still to announce their retained list?

Ours is taking some time but assuming that’s because there’s uncertainty on who the gaffer is next season. As long as Leahy and Udoh sign then I’m happy.

Yeah we havent announced ours yet. Most of em can go though imo

 

[The Terminator]

Any other club that’s not involved in the play offs still to announce their retained list?

Ours is taking some time but assuming that’s because there’s uncertainty on who the gaffer is next season. As long as Leahy and Udoh sign then I’m happy.

Not done ours, but we always do it a week after the season ends. That and the club paid for the players to have a week in Marbella this week, so would assume ours are done next week sometime.

 

[The Terminator]

Charlton - https://www.charltonafc.com/news/retained-list-squad-update

Wouldn't be shocked if a few of those end up with us, which is what usually happens!

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

How on Earth has Terell Thomas got a new contract at Charlton? Bloke is an absolute waster!

 

[Kernow_gas]

People still saying Jevani Brown will sign on after his trial is concluded in July, providing he’s not jailed obviously. Not convinced we’d offer him a deal as it’s a PR nightmare. Time to move on now.

Blackman likely to head to the States. Good ‘keeper but replaceable. And sad to see Sparkes go but probably best and will do well in L2.

No way Collins and Key will sign so got to replace them and I can see a bid coming in for Nombe, although it’d have to be a big’un for us to accept.

Big summer ahead. Caldwell will go for some players he’s worked with before I’m sure. Wouldn’t be shocked at him going for Michael Jacobs or maybe even Will Grigg to add some experience, although wages would be an issue.

Would love to sign Collins but think he'll sign for a high L1 or low Championship side!

Being a west country lad he might not want to go too far away from where he knows!

Any rumours?

 

[kieran_vale]

James Wilson posted his goodbyes on Instagram. Sad to see him go as when he is fit he is very good but it’s all too rare when he is. Just can’t really afford to carry that so for the best all round.

 

[Andy Proctor]

Not to bothered about Wilson going. Picks up to many injuries and doesn't score enough goals either. I'd take a player that isn't as technically as good as him if they can stay fit and score more goals than he does.

 

[valefan16]

Gutted to lose Wilson, his technical ability is up there with the best seen in a Vale shirt and is far above this level in that aspect but we can’t afford a big wage on someone you get 15-20 games out of in which you have most of them with him needing 4 or 5 games to get up to speed.

If fully fit we have to keep him but it had to be the right deal with his fitness issues.

Good luck Willo and thanks for the memories especially at Exeter and Wembley.