Yes only a one year deal and I doubt merrie is a big earner. Not sure we’ll get promoted with him a regular in the midfield but time will tell. It may be that we wanted to keep him if OConnor is going to be at RBActually as a fill in probably not too bad but I'd rather he wasn't playing regularly. Id be quite happy if we managed to sign Hendry as I'm sure there will be quite a few offers for his services.
O'Connor, Lewis, Merrie, Walker and McAlear so would think at least 1 of them will leave, could also include Hughes though not sure he's a central midfielderI think O'Connor might leave, particularly now that Merrie has re-signed. We are a bit overloaded in midfield at the moment and will probably have to move somebody out to bring in Hendry, or another creative midfielder.
Pleased about Merrie - I think he is perhaps undervalued and in a team looking to play more attacking football will do better as he has an eye for a pass.O'Connor, Lewis, Merrie, Walker and McAlear so would think at least 1 of them will leave, could also include Hughes though not sure he's a central midfielder
According to the OS Merrie will be fit enough to start training early JulyMentioned elsewhere that Merrie on crutches at the Northampton game, suggested he might not be fit to start the season, so suppose in that context a shorter contract makes sense.
Pleased with this news. Merrie can pick a pass, Walker is the other of the current midfielders who has an eye for a longer pass to open things up. Hendry, who hopefully we will sign tends to play shorter passes and to get the full benefit of his creativity is best deployed in a fairjy advanced position.
I've heard a rumour that we now have a scout permanently placed at Arrowe Park Hospital and are thinking of extending the network to some of the major NHS Trusts in London. Apparently it's part of a new development model, but I'm not sure how much truth there is in it...Mentioned elsewhere that Merrie on crutches at the Northampton game, suggested he might not be fit to start the season, so suppose in that context a shorter contract makes sense.
Ha ha, ONIGP. With all the injuries we’ve had in recent years requiring lengthy treatment and numerous operations, I’m surprised we have not been officially sponsored by the NHS.I've heard a rumour that we now have a scout permanently placed at Arrowe Park Hospital and are thinking of extending the network to some of the major NHS Trusts in London. Apparently it's part of a new development model, but I'm not sure how much truth there is in it...
McAlear "offers nothing, looks unfit and interested" according to one poster on an Ayr Utd forumPleased about Merrie - I think he is perhaps undervalued and in a team looking to play more attacking football will do better as he has an eye for a pass.
Walker will likelly be injured so best to exclude from the list perhaps. McAlear based on reports from those that have the masochistic tendencies to watch Scottish football as well as us appears to have done very little whilst on loan so I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to terminate his contract mutually or else offload him.
**uninterested**McAlear "offers nothing, looks unfit and interested" according to one poster on an Ayr Utd forum
age at | |||
2023/24 | 05/08/2023 | Current contract expires | |
Goalkeeper | Joe Murphy | 41 | Jun-23 |
Defender | Tom Davies | 31 | Jun-25 |
Defender | Josh Cogley | 27 | Jun-23 |
Defender | Ben Hockenhull | 21 | Jun-24 |
Defender | Ethan Bristow | 21 | Jun-24 |
Defender | Jordan Turnbull | 28 | Jun-24 |
Midfielder | Kieron Morris | 29 | Jun-24 |
Midfielder | Chris Merrie | 24 | Jun-24 |
Midfielder | Josh Hawkes | 24 | Jun-24 |
Midfielder | Paul Lewis | 28 | Jun-24 |
Midfielder | Lee O'Connor | 23 | Jun-24 |
Midfielder | Reece McAlear | 21 | Jun-24 |
Midfielder | Brad Walker | 27 | Jun-25 |
Midfielder | Rhys Hughes | 21 | Jun-24 |
Attacker | Charlie Jolley | 22 | Jun-24 |
Attacker | Kane Hemmings | 32 | Jun-24 |
Attacker | Harvey Saunders | 26 | Jun-24 |
Attacker | Sam Taylor | 19 | Jun-25 |
I think the first 2 will be sold this summer along with O'Connor and possibly a couple of othersThanks BBTC.
What sticks out is the important players whose contract is up next season including Bristow, hawkes, turnbull and Morris.
The first two in particular will have interest so are we offering them new contracts now? Or extensions? Or are we not financially in a position to do this.
We could next year lose hawkes for free and the same for Bristow as although we may get a few due to his age it won’t be anything special