Following the completion of the 2022/23 campaign, manager Gary Johnson has begun his preparations for the new season by announcing the Club’s retained list.
Johnson began by highlighting the importance of the Club’s decision to remain full-time in National League South next term, as he sets about assembling a squad capable of launching a sustained promotion bid, with a number of the players who impressed during the final weeks of the season featuring prominently in those plans.
“After receiving the backing from the board, of course our objective next season is to get our Club straight back to the National League,” said The Gulls’ boss.
“To stay full-time was never in question, and that helps significantly to keep as many of the players as possible from the current team, that finished the season so strongly.
“Player’s contracts finish on May 6th 2023 in the National League, but Aaron Jarvis and Shaun Donnellan are still in contract for another season. Our captain, Asa Hall, and vice-captain, Dean Moxey, have both agreed to a new contract. Tom Lapslie and Mark Halstead have also been offered new contracts, as well as Rhys Lovett and Jack Stobbs.
“You will understand I cannot, at this time, give you details on Kevin Dawson and Lewis Collins, as at the present time they are contracted to other Clubs. Frank Nouble was a short-term contract, and he is keeping his options open, as they say. Loan players Nico Lawrence, Tope Fadahunsi and Kieron Evans have gone back to their parent Clubs.”
Having provided an update regarding the core players who took an astonishing 17 points from their final 8 fixtures, the United manager then went on to outline the situation regarding the rest of last year’s first-team squad.
“Brett McGavin, Ross Marshall, Dylan Crowe and Ryan Hanson are still in contract.
“Players released, that have not been offered new contracts are as follows: Ben Wyatt, Jacob Mensah, Olaf Koszela, Ali Omar, Jack Winsor, Lewis Brooks, and Alex Moyse. We wish them all well for their futures, and we thank them for their service.”
Discussions regarding the futures of two other players, Ollie Tomlinson and Dan Martin, remain ongoing, following Tomlinson’s successful spell on loan at Chippenham Town, whilst Martin continues his rehabilitation from injury and illness.
Johnson also went on to reveal that despite 2022/23 concluding only last weekend, discussions with potential new signings are already well underway, before stressing how the backing of the Yellow Army will once again be crucial to his side’s prospects in 2023/24.
“There are several players that we have targeted, that we are now in negotiations with, and I’m very excited by the quality and the interest in our Club from players and agents alike.
“I take this opportunity to thank all our Yellow Army supporters for their loyal following, and as I’ve said, the Club WILL bounce back – in a fun and entertaining way – as we did in my first season with you, and I look forward to working with our supporters again next season.
“Have a great summer, take it easy, and come back refreshed and ready to go.
“As always, our Club needs you.”