Ryan’s time with the Magpies is up
Maidenhead United FC: Long-serving midfielder isn’t offered an extension
Maidenhead United are set to announce their retained list for the 2023/24 season in the coming days, but one name that won't be on that list is midfielder Ryan Upward.
Upward announced last week that his time with Maidenhead United had come to an end, having been told in a brief conversation with manager Alan Devonshire that he wouldn't be offered a contract extension.
Upward has been a mainstay of the Maidenhead side over the past nine seasons, helping the club claim the National League South title as champions in 2017 and establishing the Magpies as a National League staple over the past six seasons.
He'll admit this season wasn't one of his best, however, he hoped he'd done enough in the latter weeks of the season to convince the management team he was worthy of another year at least.
His campaign was dogged by injuries, meaning he spent much of the season on the sidelines and, when he did come back into the squad for the final weeks of the season, he wasn't able to rediscover the form he'd shown in recent campaigns. The 31-year-old will be much missed by Magpies fans for the passion and loyalty he showed for the club while wearing those black and white stripes.
In a statement on Twitter, Upward said: “It's been a week of reflection, a lot of mixed emotions, but my time with Maidenhead United has come to an end.
“I feel it will probably do me some good to be quite frank. It's a shame that nine years of loyalty to a club came down to a very short phone call but football can be cruel and it's time for a new challenge.
“Stepping outside of my comfort zone is exactly what I need and
I'm feeling optimistic about the rest of my footballing career.
“I wish everyone at the club all the best for the future. A huge thank you to the fans that have always been brilliant with me.
“Peter (Griffin), the chairman, and finally the staff involved at the club throughout the last decade. I've met a lot of amazing and inspirational people along the way and produced some memories to last a lifetime.”
The club also released a short statement thanking Upward for his efforts over the past nine seasons. It read: “After 9 years of loyalty and continued service to the Magpies, Ryan Upward has departed York Road.
“Ryan has provided the club and supporters with many memories during his time with us and we thank him greatly.
“We would like to place our thanks on record to Ryan and wish him all the best for the future.”
In replying to Upward on Twitter, chairman Peter Griffin said: “The saddest thing about being chairman of a football club is when players leave. Cheers Uppy for a great number of memories. See you in Marlow soon.”
United are expected to release their retained list of players for next season before the start of June.
Most National League clubs have already done so, however, it’s understood that Devonshire is still in contract talks with a couple of members of last season’s squad.