Top Scorer Ben Burgess has had his deal extended thanks to a clause in his contract. The £100,000 big man was never really under any axe threat. Stephen Crainey had his deal extended automatically thanks to the number of minutes he's played. Whilst Gorkss, Kay and D'Agostino have also had there deals extended thanks to clauses in there deals. However Gorkss is still subject to a rumoured £250,000 release clause.

Claus Jorgenson who has constantly campaigned for a new deal has been offered a new contract, so to has Andy Morrell and Simon Wiles.

Simon Wiles has failed to break into the first team over the last five years and having had a recent trial at Scunthorpe, I can see him going elsewhere. As for Morrell I would have let him go, although he has been impressive towards the end of the season. The three players offered new deals are yet to sign them but will hopefully do so before the club breaks up for the summer holidays.

None of the players under contact have been released however club captain Micheal Jackson has in what has been the biggest shock of those released. Jackson has had many a thriller this season but has been told to beat it by Grayson.

I'll now stop with puns to wish Jackson all the best and thank him for his services to the club. It's sort of funny that our best defender in some seasons is a former nobber!

Keigan Parker has also been released at his request, Local lad John Hills has also faced the axe and has been linked to Plymouth, where his former manager Paul Sturrock is in charge.

Andy Welsh has been released after initially showing promise but not delivering in the end. Micheal Flynn who has been in and around the first team all season and had a super run of form around Xmas has also been released.

The Full List of Players Released and Retained is as follows:

Already Under Contract: Rachubka, Southern, Evatt, McPhee, Green, Hoolahan, Taylor-Fletcher, Fox, Barker,

Options activated for further year: Burgess, Coid, Crainey, Gorkss, Kay, D'Agostino

New contract offer: Andy Morrell, Simon Wiles and Claus Jorgensen (The club is awaiting their decision.)

Released: Michael Jackson, Keigan Parker, John Hills, Paul Tierney, Phil Doughty, Andy Welsh, Marcus Bean, Lewis Edge, Michael Flynn, Matt Lawlor, Phil Marsh

If you've got an opinion on those players that have been released and retained, hop along to our forum and have a rant and a rave!

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