{"id":554227,"date":"2020-06-18T08:41:36","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T12:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=554227"},"modified":"2020-06-18T08:41:36","modified_gmt":"2020-06-18T12:41:36","slug":"stevenage-release-22-players-as-they-prepare-for-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/06\/18\/stevenage-release-22-players-as-they-prepare-for-the-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Stevenage Release 22 Players as They Prepare for the Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stevenage are preparing for their long-term future, even though they have little idea of what it holds in the short-term.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stevenage Release 22 Players as They Prepare for the Future<\/h2>\n

Stevenage’s Disappointing Season<\/h3>\n

Today, Stevenage have announced their retained and released list. To say the club has taken dramatic action is an <\/span>understatement<\/span>. For, the Robins have released 22 players in total.<\/span><\/p>\n

With yesterday’s National Leag<\/span>ue vote confirming their divisional play-offs, it is near certain that a club will be relegated from the EFL. Although Stevenage are currently bottom of League 2, they might yet receive a reprieve. This is because Macclesfield Town are facing a hearing into <\/span>regulation<\/span> breaches. A guilty verdict could lead to a sufficient points deduction that sends Town to the bottom of the league. In turn, they would be relegated instead.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Possible legal action<\/a> regarding relegation from the EFL has also been mentioned.<\/p>\n

Initially, to hear a club is r<\/span>eleasing 22 players seems shocking. However, when you analyse Stevenage’s 2019\/20 season, it is not.<\/span><\/p>\n

It has <\/span>been<\/span> a woeful season for Stevenage, i<\/span>rrespective of the final outcome<\/span>. Alex Revell, i<\/span>n February 2020, <\/span>was appointed as their fourth manager<\/a> of the season. This constant change in <\/span>management<\/span> goes a longer way to <\/span>explain<\/span> today’s mass releasing of players.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like many others, Stevenage are suffering a financial blow caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The suspension and eventual early season’s ending of <\/span>League 2, <\/span>has<\/span> cost clubs a large <\/span>proportion<\/span> of their income. The summer months are <\/span>particular<\/span> difficult for lower league clubs. Effectively, they now have at least an extra 3 months of an <\/span>extended<\/span> close season.<\/span> Already, several EFL cubs are reporting their financial struggles.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Revell <\/span>said:<\/a> “I inherited a long list of players, but it has been a poor season and I want to bring a fresh start, a new level of commitment, a new energy and a new enthusiasm to the football club.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter which league we play in next season, I want to work with a smaller squad and build a winning environment so I will be looking to get the right blend of youth and experience.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Respected Players on Release List<\/h3>\n

Former Tottenham Hotspur trainee Dean <\/span>Parrett is<\/span> among the players released. Parrett was in his second spell at Stevenage, having <\/span>re-joined<\/span> last <\/span>summer<\/span> from Gillingham.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tom Soares is another standout name on the released list. Although now aged 33, Soares remains a <\/span>highly<\/span> respected <\/span>defender, having learnt his trade at Crystal Palace. In 2008, Palace sold him to Stoke City for \u00a31.25million.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joel Byrom and Simeon Jackson are other familiar names released. Byrom, like Parrett, was in his second spell at <\/span>Stevenage<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span> Jackson played 22 for <\/span>Norwich<\/span> City d<\/span>uring their Premiership <\/span>campaign<\/span> of 2011\/12<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Goalkeeper Paul Farman and striker Danny Newton remain in contract discussions with Stevenage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stevenage’s released list in full: A<\/span>dam El Abd, Sacha Bastien, Joel Byrom, Canice Carroll, Jake Cassidy, Jason <\/span>Cowley<\/span>, <\/span>Diaguely<\/span> Dabo<\/span>, Tyler Denton, Paul Digby, Harry Draper, <\/span>Andronicos<\/span> Georgiou, Simeon Jackson, Jamie Jellis, Ben Kennedy, Ben Nugent, Dean Parrett, Patrick Reading, Alex Reid, Joel Rollinson, Tom Soares, Emmanuel <\/span>Sonupe<\/span>, Paul Taylor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stevenage have the following players retained or are under contract for next season: <\/span>Charlie Carter, Scott Cuthbert, Jamie Fielding, Arthur Iontton, Elliot List, Terence Vancooten, Luther James-Wildin, with Junior Professionals Luis Fernandez, Jack Smith, Liam Smyth<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>