ALL CHANGE AT THE IRON
SCUNTHORPE ANNOUNCE ANNUAL PLAYER RETAINED LIST
SCUNTHORPE United confirmed the release of nine players at the end of their contract as they published their retained list for the 2024-25 campaign.
Richie Bennett, Marcus Carver, Joe Leesley, Liam McAlinden, Harrison Poulter, Tom Pugh, Josh Robertson, Dion Sembie-Ferris and Cameron Wilson were all confirmed to be leaving this summer with their deals expiring.
Flynn Clarke, Kai Corbett and Daniel Langley have returned to their parent clubs at the end of their respective loan spells, with nine other players offered new terms.
Ross Barrows, Alfie Beestin, Andrew Boyce, Jacob Butterfield, Tyler Denton, Danny Elliott, Will Evans, Reagan Ogle and Fin Shrimpton have all been offered a new contract and are currently in negotiations.
Michael Clunan, Ross Fitzsimons, Michael Kelly, Maxim Kouogun, Jason Law, Callum Roberts and Danny Whitehall are already under contract for next season, and the extension option has been activated on Kian Scales’ contact, with the rebuild beginning now for new manager Andy Butler.
Butler has stepped up from his first-team coaching position to take over from Jimmy Dean, who was sacked by the club following their play-off semi-final defeat to Boston United, who went on to win the final and be promoted to the National League.
Butler has a core of players to build around this summer, with promotion the aim, just as it was last season.
With the tough calls now made regarding out-of-contract players, recruitment for the new season will now be the main focus.
The Iron manager said: “It’s all about starting again now, and we look at it with open arms, and we concentrate on our roles now, and get the best possible people in to fulfil what we want, and that is promotion. That’s down to the core group of players we’ve got still in the squad, but also adding that bit of magic for us moving forward.
“The mindset straight away will be that promotion is the goal, and there’s no hiding away from it.
“I’ve got to make sure the players know that straight away. The players coming in will see the facilities we’ve got, the infrastructure we’ve built, the support we’ve got. 8,000 fans last week was incredible, and we thank them for that.”
“It will be a hard season, but it’s a privilege to play for this club, they have to be proud for it, and put their whole body on the line for it. We will be the fittest team in the league.”