Released / Retained List 2015-16 season

Is odd that we are not communicating on the player front a bit more in advance of the drip feed. Twitter is not sufficient and never should be. Maybe a problem with the website access? The new logo looks a tad generic as well but some good things going on at the club and interacting with far more of the broader HG radar. Smaller blips in an otherwise good outlook surely.

Player front, Thewlis sad but suppose inevitable but he could take players on and speed on the new pitch plus a degree of technique would surely be more preferable to someone who offers nothing of note. None dimensional. Is surprising that a few couldn't get a grasp of that for the many months where there was no injury. Should check out the goalscoring record. Not tricky stuff, then again another season to draw that same conclusion. Given the silence, Clayton any day of the week. Can't see him staying on with this news.

As for Hearn, again amuses me how there would be anyone willing to be sad at not seeing him at town, especially given the calibre and application of some of our recent forwards we let go....and boo'd. A move that says everything about his ability.
Lincoln and just about every club at their level and our level know the score. Just reiterate the hope we got some kind of cash back guarantee on his input, an input that utterly let down our ability to go up when Town backed a good level of player with decent cash to get us goals we so desperately needed. Total let down to the club, Simon's faith (given Hearn's recent past) and Irving's cash.

I would be surprised if there is not an announcement bonanza in the next few days, as we have enough reasons to be excited potentially with the new kit, potential self financing with 3g, new signings (many forwards) and the likes of Kerry signing up (2 year deal or clause for as he could go for cash if he has a similar season).

Carefree, did you get my pm on this forum or is that function not working. If not, drop us an email.

Hearn has only dropped down to that level because he wants to help with coaching the youth team there. He confirmed he had offers to stay in the National League but turned them down to start coaching.

As stated elsewhere best of luck and hope it works out for him. That's 2 strikers gone so expecting some news on that front forthwith!

It's killing me not knowing the retained/released list! Please release it soon!!!

Gives us all something to get excited about though. Nothing better than a rumour mill going at full pelt. Hold on, there is something better, that's winning the league by a country mile so you can party down during your last 2 home games!

I thought the opposite - Hearn was not sharp in front of goal because he missed several 'gifts'. Agree that we've dodged a bullet.

Hearn was the only one who could read Claytons game and was not sharp enough with lack of games to take his chances.He was far better than Knowles because he seemed to be always there in the correct place but did not take the many chances.If Claytons not required by Simon i would not be surprised if he went to Ilkeston.

I wonder whether we will get any news from the club today?

Hope so, this waiting is driving me crazy! Who is going, who is staying, new arrivals, pre-season games, season ticket prices, are we going full time,new strip (yellow and black stripes front and back please!) etc. etc.

Come on guys, loads of us here desperate for news!

Just a morsel, a scrap, some titbit of information to get us through the week.

Clayton has gone!! Tweet has just been released from Harrogate Town fans feed!!

TheNeil29 wrote:Clayton has gone!! Tweet has just been released from Harrogate Town fans feed!!

Think this has come from the player writing on Facebook that he has gone and wishing us all the best.

Nothing official yet though.

Jordan

3 strikers going. Clayts was Mr 110%. Can see some youth getting blooded this season but need to bring in some quality fire power now. Transfers in going to be very interesting and will really signal if we are going to be a force to be reckoned with. All the best to Clayts, Town legend.

I suspect the next Supporters meeting on the 31/5 maybe busy.

Yes good luck to Clayton and all that, but his departure was inevitable. Didn't score enough goals! At least 2 probably 3 strikers needed. Let's hope at least one of them knows where the goal is!

Just for a change. Graeme Armstrong should be one of the three for sure.

Hope you're right Surplus. I'd love to see some exciting youngsters given a real go, alongside a decent goal scorer and solid defenders. Why not go for it? We know it's going to be hard, so let's be brave, mix things up a bit and think outside the box. If we go with same old, same old in terms of playing style, we'll more than likely get the same old, same old outcomes.

I think Clayton going was the right decision. There was no doubting his effort levels and commitment, but ultimately, strikers are judged on goals. Neither him or Thewlis cut the mustard really from that perspective.

Transfers over the next few week will be quite interesting for sure.

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Pleased to see the retained list featuring Ellis, Crooks, Burrell and Emmett as well as others. Now just need to add 5-6 quality additions across the squad and also retain Daniels.

SQUAD UPDATE 2016/17
Harrogate Town Football Club can today announce the following with regards our squad for the upcoming season.

The following players are no longer under contract and will not be with us next season:
Harry Coates
Paul Clayton
Luke Foster
David McGurk
Andy McWilliams
Matt Bloomer
Jordan Thewlis - (Joined Gainsborough Trinity)
Everyone at the club would like to place on record our thanks to these players for all of their efforts and contribution during their time at Harrogate Town.
We are delighted that the following players are all now under contract for the 2016/2017 season:
Peter Crook
Lewis Turner
Danny Ellis
Luke Shiels
Joe Colbeck
Paul Thirwell
Lloyd Kerry
Warren Burrell
Jack Emmett
Tom Platt
Dominic Knowles
Simon Ainge
- Andy Gascgoine, Ryan Fallowfield and James Cadman have all been invited back to attend pre-season training.
- Louie Swain and Brendan Daniels remain in negotiation with the club.

At last. Some official news.

Totally wrong decision of the three strikers on who stayed. Let's hope for no more injuries that keep him out for "most" of the season despite him being available and average at best for most of the season. Much rather the work and effort of Clayton than no discernable aspect to a players impact on the pitch. At least you knew what Clayton and Jordan built their game around.

No shocks elsewhere and plenty of time for the club to do business - not even out of May yet. Really no need to panic and would be a surprise if Irving does not back his son again this summer. Would be very surprised if there was not some exciting news to come over the next few weeks and months.

As for Hearn - if you wish to believe that turn of events by someone who messed Town around when we could least afford it, then please do. His recent past (on and off the pitch) speaks volumes as to that move.

Good to get this bit of business done. Now just cajole Daniels into signing, sit back and watch the signings come in.

Can't really complain with this list to be honest. Hopefully we can get Daniels re-signed (This has to be done at all costs, even if it means making him the highest paid player at the club).

With regards to Gascoigne, Fallowfield and Cadman. Hopefully Gascoigne will come back and try to earn a contract. With regards to Fallowfield and Cadman, there are better options out there.

Although I have grumbled about Colbeck and Swain, I can see why Simon has retained them. I just hope they can become more consistent in their performances and prove me wrong about them.

The addition of Simon Ainge bodes very well for the defensive shape of the squad. Just a few more additions will see that area sorted (cover for LB and RB)

Midfield is done and dusted. That will be one of the best Midfields in this division, easy.

With regards to the Wingers, we already have Colbeck and Emmett but I think Simon should look at this area also in case Daniels goes elsewhere.

The Strikeforce now needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. But I'd look at giving Reaks (U21) an opportunity to impress in pre-season, as well as Marcus Day. 2 very promising young players indeed.

I look forward to seeing the additions with added interest now.

Can see the youngsters coming off the bench and used as impact subs but they've got to learn their trade up against hairy arsed ogres and old hands in the dark arts. We definitely need 2-3 experienced striking options, with each bringing differing qualities to the team.

If we are serious about promotion next season, in fact winning it, we need one striker to get 22/24 goals and another to get 15/17. We can't expect Daniels to do it again. Clayton and Thewlis had to go, no goal scoring potential. Youngsters? OK for the bench perhaps, but we need two proven goalscorers and just hope they succeed where others have failed. Otherwise retained list is fine, no problems.