Oxford United manager Chris Wilder announced his retained list today, and the following eight players have been told that they will not be offered a new deal with the club: Eddie Hutchinson, Yemi Odubade, Chris Willmott, Phil Trainer, Craig Nelthorpe, Matt Day, Barry Quinn and Matty Taylor.
Phil Trainer we already knew about, and Eddie Hutchinson, Matt Day, Yemi Odubade, and Matty Taylor weren’t massive surprises either. Barry Quinn, Chris Willmott, and Craig Nelthorpe were less expected; Chris Wilder has certainly shown since taken charge of the club that he knows what he’s doing though, and he no doubt has replacements in mind for all of the players soon to depart.
Lewis Haldane and Craig Farrell have both returned to the clubs from whence they came, whilst Joe Burnell and Chris Carruthers have both been told that they can speak to other clubs in the summer. Both players have a year left to run on their contracts, neither player seemingly figures in Chris Wilder’s plans though, and twelve players it seems will be removed from what is already a fairly small squad to begin with.
Shane Killock and Kevin Sandwith have both been offered new deals with United, and the club is also in talks with Sheffield United about signing Adam Chapman. Hopefully there’ll be many fresh faces brought into the club this summer, and next season will start as this season finished. If Chris Wilder can keep up the momentum, then Oxford United will be promoted next season, and we just need to hope that the players coming in are able to adequately replace those that are leaving.
Billy Turley will now be the only player left from our Football League days, many players have come in and out of the club in the last few seasons, and I just hope now that year four in the Conference is the one where we’re able to climb out of it. Automatic promotion next season would be glorious; promotion via the play-offs wouldn’t be too bad a result either though, so here’s to hoping that Oxford United finishes in the top five next season, and that the club is able to return to its rightful place within England’s Football League.
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