Walsall Football Club can today confirm our Retained List following the conclusion of the 2016/17 Sky Bet League One season.
Fresh contract offers have been made to out-of-contract players Neil Etheridge (three years), Matt Preston (two years) and Liam Roberts (one year plus one-year option), while midfielder Rory Oliver has also been offered an extended deal (six months) as he continues his rehabilitation from injury. Negotiations are ongoing with Milan Butterfield.
“Neil has been excellent for us,” explained Manager, Jon Whitney. “We offered him a contract extension earlier this season and whilst we understand he is assessing his options, we have made him a further contract offer in a bid to retain his services.
“Matty Preston has continued to improve and has worked hard behind the scenes to establish himself as a member of the first-team squad.
“Liam has enjoyed a prosperous loan spell at Chester and we hope to continue developing him as a goalkeeper.”
Craig MacGillivray, Franck Moussa and Isaiah Osbourne have been given free transfers, as has young defender Theo Vassell.
“Although Craig gave a good account of himself in the final five games, I had to be honest with him and tell him that I didn’t see him as my number one at this stage,” said manager Jon Whitney.
“At this stage of his career Craig needs to be playing regularly. We couldn’t guarantee him that.
“We sat down and had an open and honest conversation and we feel comfortable with the decision made.
“Unfortunately for Franck, things haven’t worked out quite as we hoped this season. We thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best.
“We had a one-year optional extension on Isaiah’s contract that we won’t be exercising. Having sat down with him we feel it is in everybody’s best interests to part ways.
"Theo spent the season on loan at Chester and that experience will stand him in good stead in the future."
The club can also confirm that contracts have been offered to scholars Tobias Hayles-Docherty - who made his first-team debut in the penultimate game of the season against Port Vale - Cameron Peters, Will Shorrock and Sam Tonks.
Callum Cockerill-Mollett and Dan Vann are already contracted going into next season. Bradley Caswell, Lezion Cela and Ashley Maddocks have been released.
The club wishes all players leaving the very best in their future careers.
OFFERED NEW CONTRACTS:
Neil Etheridge (three years)
Liam Roberts (one year plus one-year option)
Matt Preston (two years)
Rory Oliver (six months)
Tobias Hayles-Docherty
Cameron Peters
Will Shorrock
Sam Tonks
FREE TRANSFERS:
Craig MacGillivray
Franck Moussa
Isaiah Osbourne
Theo Vassell
Bradley Caswell
Lezion Cela
Ashley Maddocks
OPTION FOR NEXT SEASON:
Adam Chambers
CONTRACTED FOR NEXT SEASON:
Joe Edwards
James O’Connor
Florent Cuvelier
Simeon Jackson
Erhun Oztumer
Kieron Morris
Liam Kinsella
Reece Flanagan
Amadou Bakayoko
Jordon Sangha
Kory Roberts
Maziar Kouhyar
Callum Cockerill-Mollett
Andreas Makris
Dan Vann