Buckley Releases Five Players!

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 27/04/2007

TOWN manager, Alan Buckley, has revealed today the names of some of the players who will be leaving Blundell Park when their contracts run out at the end of the season.

Talks have been going on for some time with individual players and Buckley has had to make the hard decisions in looking to who he will keep for next season and, how he will replace those who go.

Talking to Mariners Net Buckley said; "I've finished speaking to the lads now. The fans are aware of the ones that we have agreed things with. I'm still talking to Jonah (Gary Jones) or his agent a little bit about next season."

"Decisions have been made with Crofty, Rob Murray, Blooms (Matthew Bloomer) and Simon Grand. Macca has made his decision too and they will all be leaving the club."

"They're all hard decisions, whether it's a player you've known for years or a player you haven't known so long. They are always hard decisions, these are decisions that you have to make - it's all part of the job really. Assessing players' strengths and weaknesses, what they can give you, what they might not be able to give you."

"We've also got to think about how we are going to replace them - trying to replace some of those players is going to be difficult." ENDS

Macca signed for Town in June 1987 and has made his decision to retire. Gary Croft who returned to Blundell Park after a nine year absence in August 2005 has been released from his contract.

Matt Bloomer signed for Town in January 2006 and his contract will not be renewed. Robert Murray is a trainee and has been released.

Simon Grand will not be offered a new contract.

On Saturday, Macca plays his last home game for Town after a long, loyal and illustrious career for Grimsby Town. He deserves a great sending off and the fans will ensure that they show their appreciation and let him know how sorry they are to see him leave.

The question now, is who has Alan Buckley set his sights on to replace those players who are released. It is pleasing to see that he has addressed first, the defence which this season, has cost us so many points.

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