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Post by dudleyhatter on May 22, 2020 15:16:22 GMT
Or maybe this should go in a thread for next season!
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Post by hatter_in_macc on May 22, 2020 15:26:10 GMT
Your suggestion is my command, Dudders!
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Post by hatter_in_macc on May 22, 2020 15:41:03 GMT
Summary of a long piece, for those in a hurry...
Already contracted (full-time) for next season:
Richie Bennett Alex Curran Liam Hogan Lois Maynard
Full-time contract offered and accepted:
Jordan Keane
Development contacts extended for a year:
Festus Arthur Jordan Downing
Full-time contracts offered and under discussion:
Ben Hinchliffe Ash Palmer Adam Thomas
Contracts extended on rolling basis, with further discussion pending clarity on next season:
Nyal Bell Sam Minihan Elliot Osborne Darren Stephenson Paul Turnbull Sam Walker
Players released by County:
Dan Cowan Szymon Czubik Connor Dimaio Tyler Garratt Liam McAlinden Frank Mulhern Ian Ormson
Loanees returned to parent clubs:
Eddie Clarke Ben Jackson Danny Lloyd
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Post by jimboslovechild on May 22, 2020 15:41:15 GMT
Only one I'm sad about is Ormson! Hope he finds a team that will make him their first choice.
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Post by hatter_in_macc on May 22, 2020 15:43:59 GMT
Yes - shame about Ormson. A good 'keeper (albeit kept out of the side by an even better one), and a great servant to County.
The big surprise for me is McAlinden's release. Very much thought of him as one for the future - but, as ever, in Jim we trust.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2020 16:18:54 GMT
I'm pleased Ash Palmer is considering going full-time but mildly surprised by Adam Thomas, particularly since Osborne and Walker clearly haven't impressed enough to get a long term contract. Best wishes to all the players in finding another club
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Post by harrogatehatter on May 22, 2020 17:30:45 GMT
This seems about right. Surprised with McAlinden going since he was a recent addition to the squad. Also surprised with Thomas staying. I think his ability to play in different positions has helped.
Can’t say I’m sad to see Ormson be released. I know he played a lot for us in our seasons in the wilderness but was never a first choice keeper and we can have a player just to sit on the bench.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2020 18:21:03 GMT
I think that’s a pretty good statement from the club.
Very detailed and for me, pretty spot on in terms of decisions on the playing squad.
Fantastic to hear that Hinchliffe and Palmer are in discussions to go full time next season. They are both quality players for this level and would get in the first XIs of most teams in the division. Plus, they both have a real affinity with the club now and are fan favourites. One of the most pleasing things about the statement is that it sounds like we are subtly on the front foot with contract negotiations, even though the immediate future is uncertain financially. In previous years, we probably would have struggled more than most with the shut down and that would have left us vulnerable to more financially secure clubs getting a jump on us and poaching the likes of Palmer and Hinchliffe from under our noses.
I’d also very much like to see Minihan, Osbourne and Walker here next season and I think there’s a very good chance we will do.
There is often no place for sentiment in football, given the finances of lower league clubs, but I am pleased the club have extended Stephenson’s deal. I don’t think he’s up to the standard we need but after a really bad injury it’s good that the club are standing by him to give him an opportunity to earn a contract when he’s fully fit - if nothing else it’s probably good for the morale of the rest of the squad if they know the club will look after them.
I don’t rate Adam Thomas particularly highly but I also don’t mind that he’s been offered a new deal. It’s also not surprising, because Jim’s teams always seem to have a few characters like him. Off the top of my head I’m thinking the likes of Adam Griffin, Leon McSweeney, Matty McNeil etc. Unremarkable but versatile and I guess when you have to be sparing with budget and you can’t necessarily afford to carry 2 players per position, someone who can play multiple roles has value. He’s also the sort of player who will be tactically disciplined defensively and do the job Jim asks of him.
It’s a shame for Ian Ormson that he’s being released after so long but Hinchliffe is firmly our number 1 and depending on what kind of wage he is on, perhaps that budget could be spent elsewhere. Hopefully he gets fixed up with a new club soon.
Overall pretty happy with that - I think we will be better placed than some of our league rivals come the start of next season.
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Post by gazz on May 22, 2020 18:37:35 GMT
This says to me that Jim's getting ready for a both barrels assault on the National League next season - assuming the current one's eventual closure doesn't do us any favours, of course. I can see some big additions coming in after that and, if they're anywhere near the calibre of Liam Hogan, it's going to be an exciting resumption of proceedings at EP! Couldn't agree more, jlc, Ian's been a great servant for the club and I really hope he gets a decent contract elsewhere. Great point regarding Darren Stephenson, gts, it'll give the rest of the squad a real morale boost, especially if Darren recovers well and earns himself a new deal!
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Post by bigfudge on May 23, 2020 17:14:16 GMT
I'm split on Cowan, Ormson and McAlinden.
Cowan and Ormson are definitely good enough to start elsewhere so I kind of get it and I would've liked to have seen more of McAlinden but I have no doubt that Jim has already identified a number of players and twice as many backup options.
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Post by another_ruined_saturday on May 23, 2020 23:50:14 GMT
i was disappointed about cowan definitely. i'm also hoping that the players we're giving rolling contracts to also get signed up. wouldn't be too distressed if turnbull eventually went, but bell, osborne, minivan and walker are all players i think we should keep for a competitive squad.
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Post by bigfudge on May 24, 2020 1:14:29 GMT
I was torn on Bully, on one hand he's clearly not the player he once was but on the other hand, he is still a competent player and is well liked by the fans and clearly a good leader of the squad. I'd like him to retire as a Hatter but we definitely can't have any passengers, Mark Stott isn't going to be spending a good chunk of money on a team to have them as perennial middling non-leaguers and sadly in that world there is no room for sentimentality.
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Post by hatter_in_macc on May 24, 2020 10:26:09 GMT
Agreed, Fudgie. Perhaps the longer-term intention over Bully (and I venture this without any inside knowledge whatsoever) is to retain, with a view to moving him on to the coaching staff.
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Post by dudleyhatter on May 24, 2020 15:31:00 GMT
Agreed, Fudgie. Perhaps the longer-term intention over Bully (and I venture this without any inside knowledge whatsoever) is to retain, with a view to moving him on to the coaching staff. He said as much himself when he took over the club twitter account a couple of weeks ago, when asked if he could see himself working on the coaching side at County he replied, "Yes definitely, being a Stockport boy it would be a dream one day to become a coach in some capacity."
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Post by hatter_in_macc on May 24, 2020 15:34:53 GMT
Yes, he has had his share of clubs - but is County through and through. And one of our most well-respected skippers, too. Reckon he would make a good coach.
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