Brannan return a real coup for Reds
ACCRINGTON Stanley chief John Doolan has revealed the club’s retained list following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
Nine players have been released, whilst eight have had their contract extensions triggered.
Jay Rich-Baghuelou, Seb Quirk, and Alex Henderson are still under contract for the 2024/25 season.
Liam Coyle, Ben Woods, Tommy Leigh, Oliver Patrick, Dan Martin, Aaron Pickles, Lewis Trickett, and Josh Woods have had their contract extensions triggered.
Toby
Whalley,
Rosaire
Savin, Shaun Joe Pritchard, Longelo, Jack
Nolan, Seamus Conneely, and Connor O’Brien have been offered new deals.
Liam Isherwood and Emerich Poilly have been invited back for pre-season training.
Kelvin Mellor, Matt Lowe, Sean McConville, Baba Fernandes, Bailey Sloane, Leslie Adekoya, Jack Massey, Korede Adedoyin, and Jack McIntyre have all been released.
Loan signings Lewis Shipley, Brad Hills, Joe Gubbins, Jake Bickerstaff, and Radek Vitek have all returned to their parent clubs.
Doolan was able to celebrate a significant signing in the last few days with Ged Brannan returning to the club as First Team Assistant Manager.
Brannan, who left his role as Morecambe manager, previously played and worked for the Reds, and was instrumental in the development of current players Liam Coyle, Jack Nolan, Tommy Leigh, and Dan Martin.
“I’m so excited, that was one that I wanted to get over the line,” said Doolan of Brannan’s return. “It’s outstanding for the club, he’s been here before, he’s a top coach, a top lad and he knows how everyone works around the place. He knows most of the players well, knows the staff and knows his way around the place, so I’m really looking forward to the future
“I think it’s good he’s been at Morecambe and learned a lot, he’s been the first team coach and done really well there and then he stepped up to be the manager. Everyone can see the results that he had and what he’s dealt with off the pitch as well as on the pitch. He came here over the Easter period and did quite well against us, so he’s tried and tested at that level. He’s going to be a massive asset to this club and to me personally.”
On the matter of anniouncing his retained list, Doolan reserved special mention for the departing Sean McConville.
“The biggest one was obviously Sean McConville,” he said. “I met him privately and it was it was emotional for me and I could see it was for Sean as well. It was a big decision.
“Since I’ve come into the club he’s been fantastic with me, on and off the field. He gives everything, he scores and gives unbelievable performances for this club. He’s an absolute legend and it was one of the toughest things I’ve done.
“But he was absolutely outstanding, Sean, when we had a chat about it all and I can’t thank him enough for making it a little bit easier for me, even though it wasn’t easy, it was really emotional
“My main focus is his testimonial, to get behind and help him out in any way I can, I’ll offer him support whatever way he needs it with the testimonial, so I’m really looking forward to that now.”
On the players offered new deals, Doolan said it was a case of wait and see.
“You offer them the contract and they have seven days to get back to us and let us know what they’re intentions will be through an agent or maybe the player will contact me privately,” he said.
“It’s a tight budget so you have to work things out both ways, if you’re going to get them (to stay) or you’re not going to get them. Then obviously there’s new players coming in as well, hopefully, so it is a tight budget but that’s part and parcel of the job.
“There’s quite a a few positions we need to fill, so just watch this space over the next few weeks to see what happens. I’m very excited, I can’t wait, honestly. The season’s finished and you want it to start the next day again! We’re still looking at players, talking to agents and players, it’s a good challenge.”