It has definitely been a season to forget for everyone connected with York City Football Club. They end the season rock bottom of Sky Bet League Two, and will be playing their football in the top tier of non-league football next season.
Manager Jackie McNamara has spent the early part of this week moulding his squad and talking to players ahead of next season. He has now named his retained list. Five have been offered contracts, eight have been released, two more transfer listed and talks will take place with three more over the coming days.
Where shall we start?! Well, lets us focus on those that McNamara does want to keep at the club. Captain Russell Penn, midfielder Luke Summerfield, defender Dave Winfield and goalkeeper Michael Ingham have all been offered new contracts. Scholar Nick Kennedy has also been offered his first ever professional deal.
A total of eight have been allowed to leave the club, with players being allowed to leave both to freshen up the squad, as well as reducing their wage bill too. Ex-Dagenham & Redbridge defender Femi Ilesanmi is the highest profile of those allowed to leave. He started 35 of their 46 League Two games this season, but clearly didn’t do enough to warrant extending his stay.
The remainder of the players being released are mainly fringe players, but the one who has played most this season are Kenny McEvoy and Josh Carson. Both will leave Bootham Crescent. Michael Coulson leaves having played over 100 games for the club since signing in June 2012. Also moving on will be George Swan, Taron Hare, Ben Hirst and Emile Sinclair.
Strikers Vadaine Oliver and Jake Hyde have been placed on the transfer list. Both are under contract for next season, but both have been given the chance to leave and build their careers elsewhere. Oliver was the joint-second highest scorer for The Minstermen.
Whilst Scott Flinders, James Berrett, Matty Dixon and Reece Thompson remain under contract, the futures of three more are still up in the air. Derek Riordan, Danny Galbraith and Callum Rzonca will hold further talks with Jackie McNamara in the next week or so to resolve their futures with the club.
