Six released in AFC Telford's clear out
Manager Rob Smith has started his AFC Telford United rebuilding job by releasing six players.
Jordan Wynter, Kyle Brownhill, Josh Brizell, Johnny Gorman, Greg Wilkinson and Reece Simpson have left the club, as the Bucks boss clears the decks for a promotion assault next season.
Smith has meetings planned with the rest of his squad this week to tell them whether they feature in his plans – and more departures are expected.
Smith said: "I'll be meeting all the players. I've got 15 or 16 meetings set up this week with various players, so things will be happening every day."
The release of left-back Brownhill, who played second fiddle to Darren Campion, is perhaps the only real surprise.
The others – all signed by former boss Steve Kittrick apart from latest signing Simpson – have barely featured.
Smith said: "We haven't made Kyle an offer and, in fairness, he wanted to look for a new club for regular football which we've got no problem with at all.
"He's a young lad who wants to play, but he played his part here. He's got a tremendous attitude and we wish him all the best.
"Jordan has gone back down to live in London so he was never on the radar to sign again, and Reece travelled in with him and Johnny, Greg and Josh had their contracts cancelled."
Gorman, who had a loan spell at Colwyn Bay in March, and Wilkinson, who turned down several moves before FC Halifax pulled out of a deal to sign him, were banished from the squad in February.
Brizell ended up on loan at Glossop North End. Smith continued: "At the moment, everyone has a clean slate – we've only got Dave Hibbert on contract, so everyone else is in negotiations.
"We've got to talk to every player in the squad and we're meeting them this week."
Smith intends to run with a small squad again like he did at the end of this season. He said: "I want a squad of 18, no more.
"But that will give us an opportunity to potentially bring in youth teamers as the year goes on.
"What I want to try to do is bring 18 quality players in but we're battling with everyone else, so patience might be a virtue."
Smith has already been busy since the end of Telford's campaign 10 days ago, adding: "I don't think I've been off the phone since the last day of the season."
