First-Team Retained List

Signed for next season:

Jacob Marsden
Tom Blackwell
Louis Dunne
Simeon Jackson
Dave Winfield
Guy Norton
Callum Jones
Eduino Vaz
Anisius Lewis

Offered new terms:

Adebola Oluwo
Dara Dada
Cameron James
Chez Isaac
Reggie Gregory

In discussions with:

Christian Frimpong
Charlie Sheringham
Evan Payne
Luke Deslandes

Loans returned:

Tom Dickens
Danny Imray
Matt Rush
Deon Moore
Zak Bradshaw
Kai McKenzie-Lyle

Not offered new terms:

Sam Kingston
James Dillon

Continue to support during rehab:

Kieran Smith

Regarding the departing players, manager Robbie Simpson said “We’d like to say a big thank you to Sam Kingston and James Dillon. They’ve both been amazing to have around the place and they’re both really good people.

“Sam has done everything that we’ve asked of him in training and he’s improved a lot, however, we feel like it would be best for him to try and play mens football week in, week out at a lower level.

“With James, a real big thanks to him for stepping in for Jacob [Marsden] on a number of occasions, he certainly didn’t look out of place and we wish him all of the best.

“A big thanks also to all of the loaned players. It’s always a risk bringing loan players in whether they will really buy in and give it their all knowing they’ll return to their parent club at the end.

“I have to say that every single loan player we’ve brought in, the character and commitment they showed to our task was exceptional. I know that a few of them are now currently without a club, so we’ll keep in touch with them and see what happens in the future.

Regarding the players already signed on for next season, Simpson said “We feel that it’s important to keep continuity and keep a large part of the squad together to help develop each other, whilst also recruiting to help accelerate our improvement as well.

“We’re happy that we’ve already got a number of players signed for next year whilst also reflecting on the offers that we’ve made to players.

“For those that we’re in discussions with, we’re still talking to them to make sure that it’s right for both sides, choosing which path to take.

“With Kieran Smith, obviously with his knee injury he’s had his operation now and although he won’t be contracted for next season we’ll continue to support him with his rehab and when he’s fit we’ll look to get him playing in the Reserves team with Marc Stephan to build his fitness and confidence back up and go from there.

“Hopefully we’ll have some more announcements to make in the next few weeks as the squad takes shape.”