Clark one of eleven released by Stanley
DEFENDER Mitch Clark was among the eleven players released by Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman as part oif the club’s annual retained list.
However, the door is not entirely closed on a return to the Reds for the 24-year-old.
Clark was recently charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of betting rules by the Football Association.
He is alleged to have breached FA Rule E1(b) by placing 312 bets on games between 8 February 2022 and 10 March 2023.
Premier League star Ivan Toney, of Brentford, was given an eight-month ban last week for 232 breaches of FA rules on betting.
It was something Stanley boss Coleman had to take into account when drawing up his plans for next season and, following discussions with Clark, it was agreed to ‘revisit’ the situation once the FA has decided the outcome of his hearing.
“We have had to look at Mitch Clark’s situation,” Coleman told the club’s official website.
“It hasn’t been ideal with how far he has been travelling during the season and now he could face a ban, so it’s difficult to offer him anything.
“I have had a good long chat with Mitch and releasing him for now works for both parties.
“He has time to clear his
head and we will revisit it when we know the outcome of his hearing. We are all on the same page.”
Clark was one of eleven players released with the Reds planning to run with a smaller squad in League
Two next season.
Anthony Mancini, Joe Hardy, Rhys Fenlon, Enock Lusiama and Dylan Moonan were also released while loan signings Lukas Jensen, Ryan Astley, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Aaron Pressley and Doug Tharme have all returned to their parent clubs.
Reacting to his release on social media, Rhys Fenlon wrote: “Thank you! Unfortunately I was unlucky with injuries during my time with Accrington but that’s a part of football. Forever grateful for having my professional & league debut with the club. I was grateful enough to play in front of
the fans so thank you!”
Seven players have had their contract extensions triggered.
Coleman added: “I have had to make some tough decisions, but that’s part and parcel of being a football manager.
“We are still in ongoing talks with a few players, but we have to, under FA rules, say who we are retaining and who we’re not. We have options on a few players and we need to have further conversations.
“The main thing is we have to streamline our squad, partly due to dropping into League Two, and the harsh reality is many teams in the league have
much bigger crowds than us.
“Our fans who come are brilliant, I can’t praise them enough, but obviously the lower the crowds, the lower the budget.”
Coleman still has the strong spine of a squad in place for next season with Jay Rich-Baghuelou, Liam Coyle, Shaun Whalley, Tommy Leigh, Matt Lowe, Sean McConville, Mo Sangare, Seb Quirk, Alhagi Touray Sisay, Oliver Patrick, Bailey Sloane, David Morgan, Leslie Adekoya, Emerich Poilly and Baba Fernandes all still under contract.
Ethan Hamilton, Joe Pritchard, Rosaire Longelo, Jack Nolan, Korede Adedoyin, Connor O’Brien and Toby Savin have all had their contract extensions triggered while Dan Martin and Liam Isherwood have been offered new deals at the club.
Michael Nottingham, Harvey Rodgers and skipper Seamus Conneely are all in negotiations with the club.
Youngster Josh Woods, whose 2022/23 campaign was curtailed by longterm injury, has been invited back for pre-season training.
Among the club’s Under 18s, Lewis Trickett, Aaron Pickles, Owen Devonport and Alex Henderson have been offered professional terms.
Calvin Harper, Max Clayton, Brandon Gough, Harvey Monk and Jasper Newton have all been released.