No surprises as 6 players are released.

By theimps.tk
May 18 2006

Unlike the previous 2 years, there are major no surprises in the list of players Keith has decided to release. Keith has released 6 players and offered new contracts to a further 4, including want away defender Gareth McAuley who's move to Hull could potentially be off.

Derek Asamoah, Matt Bloomer, Chris Gordon, Francis Green, Steve Robinson and Jude Stirling all leave the Imps. None of those come as a major surprise and it's the first time in a few years that there haven't been any surprise releases. 2 years ago, the Imps released midfielder Ben Sedgemore and striker Aaron Wilford and last season, released Gary Taylor-Fletcher before the mass exodus took place.

Out of those players, Matt Bloomer has been with the Imps the longest after joining in 2002/3. Chris Gordon never made a first team appearance, Derek Asamoah leaves after just over a year, Green leaves after just under 3 years whereas Robinson and Stirling leave after less than a year with the Imps.

4 players who were also out of contract have been offered new contracts. Gary Birch's contract meant if he played 25 games this season, he must be offered a new contract but if the striker who only missed out of the golden boot on the final game after leading the scoring chart all season feels that his run of not playing in the first team will continue, he could easily reject that contract.

Simon Yeo has been offered a new contract despite not really impressing since returning in January. Marvin Robinson completed the season as top scorer and earnt his new contract but arguably the most surprising contract offer was to Gareth McAuley who has wanted to move away from Sincil Bank for a while. However, one thing that might work in the Imps favour is Peter Taylor's seemingly inevitable move to Charlton in which case, Hull's interest would end.