Retained/Released Lists 2023

[BarrieOwl]

Announced ours....

Some decent Lg1 players on their for picking up

Ben Heneghan
Dennis Adeniran
David Stockdale
Jack Hunt

 

[hellogregory]

Kristian Dennis has turned down our new contract offer (thankfully) to go to Tranmere.

I felt we were a much better team last season without him which sounds crazy considering he was our top scorer, and no way was he going to cut it in League 1.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

I think he was an excellent bench option because he can score which is what you need from the bench alternative options to turn a game.

But he was never starting next season and he leaves because he gets two years than one and will play……cannot blame him.

On paper losing your top scorer from last season is usually a massive blow but the team and tactics has moved on from Dennis and he’d never started so all that has been lost was a bench option.

 

[AmberRich]

George Thomas has decided to stay and sign a new 2 year contract. Hasn't had much luck in recent years, but he's got the pedigree to be an important player for us. He got a very important goal against Accrington to help keep us up, can hopefully build on that.

We are still waiting to hear back from 4 players who we offered contracts to Ryan Bennett, Harrison Dunk, Paul Digby, Fejiri Okenabirhie. Digby is very important player for us, and Dunk is a club legend so would like to think we just haven't announced it yet. Would hope to keep Ryan Bennett too but the more time that ticks by the more unlikely it seems.

 

[shoddycollins]

Of the three remaining players who've been considering contract offers.

Taylor Charters has agreed in principle and they're just hammering out the details. This was expected, he's a local lad not long out of the youth team, expect him to play a much bigger part next season though, I think he's gonna prove to be up their with Branthwaite and Henderson among our best youth products.

Morgan Feeney has been up front with the club that he's looking at other offers, sounds like we haven't given up, though knowing us we probably aren't negotiating with players, the offer we made him is likely to be the only offer but we'll see, would love him to stay.

Omari Patrick hasn't responded or been contactable so the offer has, from the sounds of things, been withdrawn. Simmo says we have to assume that he doesn't want to stay and he's probably in talks with other clubs, he just hasn't had the courtesy Feeney had to tell us so.

Update, Omari has spoken. Just to say he loves the club but has big decisions to make. Obviously after Simmo's statement and fans having a go at him for being disrespectful so probably him and Feeney are considering other offers, Feeney was more up front with the club but Marzi has at least been quick to respond once it became known that he hadn't been in touch with the club. I reckon they're both off anyway.

 

[kieran_vale]

I think we’re just waiting on Mal Benning now. Can’t remember exactly how long it is you have to give them before can rescind the offers but given we were one of the first to do our retained list it can’t be far off. Honestly I wouldn’t have given him a deal anyway as he’s not really L1 level so the moment that passes rescind the offer.

 

[valefan16]

I think we’re just waiting on Mal Benning now. Can’t remember exactly how long it is you have to give them before can rescind the offers but given we were one of the first to do our retained list it can’t be far off. Honestly I wouldn’t have given him a deal anyway as he’s not really L1 level so the moment that passes rescind the offer.

Think he’s in Dubai and rumours are he has agreed a deal, if he comes in he’s a decent back up but needs serious competition this season.

Talking of last seasons squad Aaron Donnelly rumours are picking up again, managed to get a first international call up but I didn’t really rate him, that said I think he’s a left wing back or left back not a centre half which is where we had to use him, would only consider that if he was going in that position but only if Mal leaves as has to be back up, we need better in those areas.

 

[hellogregory]

Omari Patrick hasn't responded or been contactable so the offer has, from the sounds of things, been withdrawn. Simmo says we have to assume that he doesn't want to stay and he's probably in talks with other clubs, he just hasn't had the courtesy Feeney had to tell us so.

Update, Omari has spoken. Just to say he loves the club but has big decisions to make. Obviously after Simmo's statement and fans having a go at him for being disrespectful so probably him and Feeney are considering other offers, Feeney was more up front with the club but Marzi has at least been quick to respond once it became known that he hadn't been in touch with the club. I reckon they're both off anyway.

Where are you getting this from?

I’ve just been reading the story on the official site and it doesn’t say anything about him not being contactable or Simmo assuming he’s leaving. Just that they’ve spoke to him and are giving him a bit longer to make a decision.

 

[shoddycollins]

Where are you getting this from?

I’ve just been reading the story on the official site and it doesn’t say anything about him not being contactable or Simmo assuming he’s leaving. Just that they’ve spoke to him and are giving him a bit longer to make a decision.

The article on the official site has been edited. I guess because Patrick got in touch on the same day that Simmo said he hadn't heard anything from him, they've decided it's best for all parties to just remove that part of the article.

Originally the article read:

We made the offer to Omari and as we speak, we've had no response from the player. The agent told us that he'd call us back to discuss the offer, but we've heard nothing as yet. What we have to do there is accept that the time has lapsed on that offer - and we therefore presume that he doesn't want to stay due to the fact we've had no dialogue with him.

Patrick then posted on instagram just a couple hours later:

I've seen everyone's messages, some things players don't get involved in, I love the club, I've not disrespected no one and don't intend to. What will be will be, sometimes miscommunication happens, it's not as easy and not as black and white as you think it might seem. I respect everyone and have massive love for the club and the fans. These are life decisions, not just for myself but for my family also.

Sounds like he needs a new agent; or could even be something as banal as his agent's reply going into someone's spam folder.

 

[bigfatron]

George Thomas has decided to stay and sign a new 2 year contract. Hasn't had much luck in recent years, but he's got the pedigree to be an important player for us. He got a very important goal against Accrington to help keep us up, can hopefully build on that.

We are still waiting to hear back from 4 players who we offered contracts to Ryan Bennett, Harrison Dunk, Paul Digby, Fejiri Okenabirhie. Digby is very important player for us, and Dunk is a club legend so would like to think we just haven't announced it yet. Would hope to keep Ryan Bennett too but the more time that ticks by the more unlikely it seems.

Harrison Dunk has signed - now the sixth longest serving professional in English football…

 

[shoddycollins]

Harrison Dunk has signed - now the sixth longest serving professional in English football…

Who are the others? Dean Lewington presumably, Pelly Ruddock-Mpanza must be up there too. I figure the rest are Premier League players who tend to stick around if they get into the top clubs, Jordan Henderson, Granit Xhaka (at the time of writing) and so on.

 

[AmberRich]

Who are the others? Dean Lewington presumably, Pelly Ruddock-Mpanza must be up there too. I figure the rest are Premier League players who tend to stick around if they get into the top clubs, Jordan Henderson, Granit Xhaka (at the time of writing) and so on.

Apparently its:

1. Dean Lewington, Milton Keynes Dons 1 July 2002
2. Seamus Coleman, Everton 1 January 2009
3. Lewis Dunk, Brighton & Hove Albion 1 July 2010
3. Liam Palmer, Sheffield Wednesday 1 July 2010
5. Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur 1 January 2011
6. David de Gea, Manchester United 1 July 2011
6. Jordan Henderson, Liverpool FC 1 July 2011
6. Joe Ralls, Cardiff 1 July 2011
6. Harrison Dunk, Cambridge United 1 July 2011

 

[thewwfc]

Announced ours....

Some decent Lg1 players on their for picking up

Ben Heneghan
Dennis Adeniran
David Stockdale
Jack Hunt

Obviously Stockdale’s gone to York now, but I’d definitely have Adeniran back, not familiar with the other two. We’ve lost a couple of centre mids so it’s not out of the question we’d take a look at him, but we probably can’t afford SWFC-level wages.

 

[Brox]

Luther James-Wildin and Jake Forster-Caskey have signed new contracts. Of the 5 players "in talks" we know the score with 4 of them now, just Vancooten to announce.

Happy with LJW and JFC signing on. LJW really progressed well under Steve Evans last season, hopefully he's able to make the step up. JFC showed glimpses of quality but never got a real run in the side, fingers crossed with a full pre-season behind him that we'll see the best of him as I'm sure there's a decent player in there.

 

[bigfatron]

Fejiri Okenabirhie has also signed an extension at Cambridge; just Paul Digby and Ryan Bennett to settle, plus the new hires (minimum a keeper, a centre mid and two strikers, plus replacements for Digby and Bennett if they don't sign).
I'm not expecting Bennett to stay but hopeful for Digby...

 

[Throbber_for_Dunk]

Genuinely can't even contemplate losing the Digger, but Rennet it feels like whatever happens, we know the score. Would be a box ticked to keep him though, either way.

 

[Floreat Salopia]

Looks like Matthew Pennington has rejected our new contract offer and is heading to the Championship, most likely Birmingham City.

Big, big loss that one as he’s one of the best defenders you can get in League 1 but he deserves to be playing Championship football next season in all honesty. No doubt he’ll step up fairly comfortably.

 

[SVH]

Captain Paul Digby has signed a two year deal which is great news. He played every game in the league last season so it was crucial we got him tied down.

 

[Brox]

Terence Vancooten has signed a two year deal - delighted with this news. Really good centre half, looking forward to see how he takes to League One.

What a week! Retaining LJW, TVC and JFC and signing TAH permanently, love a three letter abbreviation at Stevenage!

 

[Randolph Haggerty]

Think he’s in Dubai and rumours are he has agreed a deal, if he comes in he’s a decent back up but needs serious competition this season.

Talking of last seasons squad Aaron Donnelly rumours are picking up again, managed to get a first international call up but I didn’t really rate him, that said I think he’s a left wing back or left back not a centre half which is where we had to use him, would only consider that if he was going in that position but only if Mal leaves as has to be back up, we need better in those areas.

I really hope not..
He’s not decent back up.
He’s crap.
Hasn’t played well since Wembley.

 

[shoddycollins]

I think it's fair to assume Feeney and Patrick are on their way out.

No news from either of them since the deadline passed on their contract decisions. As far as I know the offers haven't been withdrawn but both players are exploring their options and knowing us, I doubt the offer will be improved in any way. At some point this week I expect either an announcement that one or both of them have signed for someone else, or for us to withdraw their offers to allow us to start negotiating with their replacements.

 

[Si Robin]

Liam Sercombe has signed a 12 month deal - fantastic bit of business that is.

 

[Moomin]

Liam Sercombe has signed a 12 month deal - fantastic bit of business that is.

Always wondered if he’d come back here one day but glad he’s still doing well, even at the end of his career

 

[Si Robin]

Had his best season for us last season. Bloke is an absolute Rolls Royce of a player.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

I think it's fair to assume Feeney and Patrick are on their way out.

No news from either of them since the deadline passed on their contract decisions. As far as I know the offers haven't been withdrawn but both players are exploring their options and knowing us, I doubt the offer will be improved in any way. At some point this week I expect either an announcement that one or both of them have signed for someone else, or for us to withdraw their offers to allow us to start negotiating with their replacements.

It’s maybe because I cannot see them weekly but I never understood the urgency in keeping any of our defenders, whenever I watched our defence at L2 level it looked a calamity awaiting a mistake, think it’s why we were never able to fully see our strong attack options work.

Defence needs new blood removing a few allows some new guys for the step up.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Sean Roughan (pronounced Roan) has signed a new deal at the club for 2 years. I think everyone was expecting him to move on. Hes been with us since 17 and done well at LCB. Only 20 and a regular in the Irish u21s. Pleased hes signed up, as fully expected money to talk and him to move up. This should be best for his development for sure.

 

[SVH]

Ryan Bennett has reportedly signed a new contract. That’s 5 out of 5 of contracts offered to players at the end of last season signing up.

We probably need 4-5 players through the door with two strikers, a winger and a CM to come.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Ryan Bennett has reportedly signed a new contract. That’s 5 out of 5 of contracts offered to players at the end of last season signing up.

We probably need 4-5 players through the door with two strikers, a winger and a CM to come.

Is it a good thing that you are re-signing 5 players that took you right to the edge of relegation? I think we've only re-signed two of our out of contract players and I'm glad about that.

 

[AmberRich]

Is it a good thing that you are re-signing 5 players that took you right to the edge of relegation? I think we've only re-signed two of our out of contract players and I'm glad about that.

Of the 5 who were offered new contracts. Bennett - signed in January and played a crucial part in keeping us up.

Dunk - arguably the best servant the club has had this century, scored a goal in each of our last 3 wins to keep us up. Club legend.

Digby - is our first choice midfielder and wasn't really at fault for the position we found ourselves in last season. He was left out to dry by management's recruitment failure the season before. Previously he's been an integral part in our success under Bonner.

Thomas - was one of the January signings that was supposed to help us to safety. Was out for a bit after signing, but scored a crucial goal against Accrington to keep us up. Hasn't shown his full potential for us yet, but has got very good pedigree. Hopefully a full preseason can put his career back on track.

Fejiri - is the biggest doubt. He's been a walking sick note. Personally when he has played he hasn't done much to impress me. Think the hope is we can try and manage his fitness and get his form he had at Shrewsbury and Doncaster back.

Overall though we have actually gotten rid of alot of that team. 10 players have left including the club captain, first choice keeper, 90% of our attack, 2 defenders, 2 midfielders. 6 of them started the season as first choice too. So it's a pretty big rebuild we are having to make even with 5 players signing new contracts.

 

[SVH]

Yeah like AmberRich said, Bennett was a January signing and was excellent for us, along with Michael Morrison at the back.

I don’t blame the players for us almost going down last season as crazy as that sounds. Our squad on paper was easily good enough for mid table but what cost us was lack of depth and once injuries hit us we were depleted.

We didn’t sign any loan players in the summer window and put trust in kids not good enough. Our January business was excellent and it saved us.

Lessons learnt and recruitment seems to be loans and league one experience so far.