Cheltenham's official retained list: Under Contract: Max Harris (GK) Lewis Freestone (D) Liam Kinsella (M) Elliot Bonds (M) Jordan Thomas (M) Tom Pett (M) Matty Taylor (F) Aidan Keena (F) Rob Street (F) Tom King (F) Contract Option Triggered: Tom Bradbury (D) Out of Contract (Offers have been made): Luke Southwood (GK) Sean Long (D) Will Ferry (D) Liam Sercombe (M) George Lloyd (F) Scholars offered pro contracts: Brandon Liggett (M) Freddy Willcox (M) Loans (Returning to parent clubs): Andy Smith (D) Jack Shepherd (D) Joe Nuttall (F) Out of Contract (Released): Jamie Pardington (GK) Ben Williams (D) Liam Smith (D) Curtis Davies (D) Dan Adshead (M) James Olayinka (M) Josh Harrop (M) Adulai Sambu (D) Greg Sloggett (M) No real surprises there - Sloggett might have been a cheap option, but he only played a couple of games. My son is devastatated that Olayinka has been let go - especially as he'd come back into the fold late on and played some decent football. The rest of the released lot have been either disappointing or are moving on (Curtis Davies is retiring). Of those being offered a new contract, I expect Long and Sercs to sign, Southwood has already done a goodbye tweet on Sunday (which makes his offer a strange one), Lloyd apparently already has offers elsewhere and I really wouldn't be surprised to see Ferry sign elsewhere - though I'd love it he stays. Ultimately, we have a decent base to work from, with a competent manager at the helm. There are reasons to be optimistic.
Other clubs: Carlisle - CLUB: 2023/24 retained/released list Grimsby - Retained and Released List 2023/24 - Grimsby Town Football Club Notts County - 2023-24: Retained list Port Vale - 2023/24 Retained List Tranmere - 2023/24 retained and released list Wimbledon - Retained List 2023/24
Perhaps a surprisingly long retained list for us after such a disappointing season, especially given the base we thought we had to progress from this time last year. Of those who are under contract, I'd be surprised if Rekeil Pyke is still with us come August as he's hardly featured of late. Alex Hunt has also been on loan at York, although Artell is on record as saying he sees him as a big part of his plans for next season. Of those who have been released, the one that really disappoints me is Abo Eisa. Like Pyke, he hasn't featured much of late but it was always going to be a struggle to fit him into the side when we switched to a back three. I hope he doesn't come back to haunt us next season. Not sure what the gossip is around George Lloyd @Si Robin, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear Shrewsbury were looking at him given how well he did for us under Paul Hurst last season. There was certainly some disappointment among our fan base when we didn't get him back. I wouldn't be averse to having Liam Smith back up here either. Not necessarily a spectacular performer but solid enough from what I've seen.
Lloyd to Shrewsbury is certainly gaining traction - not only for the Hurst link but also the Mickey Moore link (their DOF, formerly our DOF). The latter is a strange one though because rumours started on Saturday that Moore might be coming back to Cheltenham as he and Hurst clash. I love Lloydy, he's a local lad and his tenacity is second to none. His stats don't lie though - he's score 8 goals in over 100 league games for the club. As a forward that's a very poor return. He scored 2 goals this past season, both in the same game (funnily enough - against Shrewsbury). Liam Smith is a decent right-back, no doubt about it. Clarke didn't want him to go, but Smith pushed through the move on deadline day because he wanted more game time. You can't blame him for that, though I think we'd have been stronger at the back with him. I see Curtis Thompson is doing well - keep him fit and he's a League One quality player without doubt.
We have released Harry Chapman, Liam Ridehalgh, Luke Hendrie and Matty Derbyshire as well as 7 kids. Derbyshire and Hendrie will be no miss whatsoever, Ridehalgh got a lot of stick from our fans but I thought he was a solid back up option at left-back, and recently slotted in well as the left sided centre-half in a back 3. Chapman came as a big name and we saw glimpses of quality, however too inconsistent and injury prone and I imagine he will be on a decent wage so no complaints really amongst them all. Pointon and Halliday got one year extensions activated but I would be very surprised and disappointed if we aren't trying to tie them down on longer deals. Pointon broke through this year after coming through the academy and looks a real quality player and I expect him to go on and have a decent career. The fact he's a City fan will hopefully see him stay here for many years. Halliday sweeped up at our POTY awards, and also got into the L2 team of the year. A quality RB/RWB at this level. Richie Smallwood and Sam Stubbs had clauses triggered this season which sees them get another year. No idea what Stubbs' clause was as he hardly played... Smallwood continues to divide the fanbase however he has finished the season really well and hopefully he can be a lot more consistent next year because he is obviously a quality player. Colin Doyle, Jamie Walker and Matty Platt have been offered new contracts. I imagine Walker's will be a pay cut but see him get more money the more he plays. If he was fit for 50 games a season he would be playing at a much higher level, however we only see him for half a season. Hopefully Platt signs as well as he is more than solid in this division. Of those under contract I expect a few to move on. Adam Wilson (who I like the look of but sadly Alexander doesn't), Ash Taylor, Timi Odusina and Vadaine Oliver are all players I expect to leave. We have a good chore and just a few minor tweaks will hopefully see us challenging the top end of the table next season. Saying that, all Hughes had to do after losing in the play offs was a few minor tweaks but he changed too much and got the sack a few months later. Hopefully we have learned from our mistakes, and with Sharpe in charge of the boardroom I expect some decent signings to come in this summer.
Started a bit slowly, probably because of a lack of match sharpness, but really came on strong towards the end of the season. Should be part of the spine of the team next season.
We've released the following: Joe Day Declan Drysdale Omar Bogle Offrande Zanzala James Waite Jonny Maxted Harrison Bright Sam Bowen The following have been offered new terms: Ryan Delaney Scot Bennett Harry Charsley Aaron Wildig Plus the loan guys going back. The only one that surprises me on the released list is Drysdale as he's been captain at times during the season and he's always been a good squad player. I hope the four offered new terms stay as that would give us the basis of a decent squad. Jenkins will do his thing during the summer too, so no idea who will end up joining.
We've released Jon Taylor, Tommy Rowe, Charlie Seaman, Caolan Lavery, Maxime Biamou and some youngsters. Only one of them I'm sad on leaving is Biamou. Offered Molyneux and Biggins new contracts. Adelakun offered a contract too.
Happy with them all. Biamou did a job but is clearly injury prone and at 33 the wages can be spent better elsewhere. Just **** knows why we’ve extended the option on Jack Degruchy
Players who have triggered extension but not yet signed Ollie Banks Michael Jacobs Loan players returning to parent clubs Harry Tyrer Miguel Freckleton Players released Jeff King Laurence Maguire Luke Chadwick Bailey Clements Harley Curtis George Wilkinson Sam Hooper Archie White Alexander Duhameau Players under contract during the 2024/25 season Ryan Boot Ryheem Sheckleford Ash Palmer Tyrone Williams Jamie Grimes Branden Horton Mike Jones Tom Naylor Darren Oldaker Liam Mandeville Bailey Hobson Connor Cook Armando Dobra James Berry Ryan Colclough Will Grigg Joe Quigley Kane Drummong - signed from Macclesfield Paddy Madden - signed from Stockport
After offering him a new contract, we have now triggered Jamie Walker's automatic 1 year extension.... not sure what's gone on. Maybe couldn't agree new terms so have triggered it to bide some time whilst discussions continue. Either way, a great player if he stays fit, but slightly frustrating if he's only available for half the season. We have also released Ash Taylor by mutual consent. Great news, a player who never should have signed in the first place.
