Barrow AFC.net

Perhaps Pete has watched that podcast and thinks that takes him out of the 'good lad' criteria.

I would say someone like Notts County would be interested in Ray as they had a poor defensive record last season.. Think you will see a very different defensive setup at Barrow next season. Might also see Chester, Warren and Feely on their way and possibly Tiensa.

He likely has a better offer.

Been very good this year.

Right decision to move Ray on. We are short of pace at the back and that has cost us multiple goals. Letting go of Ray suggests this is going to change I would say.

Don’t think Ray has done much wrong this season but it’s football and it was never going to be Canavan to go and to move forward we need to make these harsh decisions even though he is a good lad.

George Ray was never dull, on or off the pitch. I don't get to many away games, but I will remember him scoring the winner at Bradford City last November. Thanks George!

The Bluebirds currently have 13 players in contract, and we will be releasing 10 players with several still in contract negotiations with the club.

We’d like to thank the departing player for all their efforts at the club and wish them all the best for the future.

The following players are still under contract:

Mazeed Ogungbo, Dean Campbell, David Worrall, Kian Spence, Ged Garner, Robbie Gotts, Dom Telford, Emile Acquah.

The following players have had their one-year contract extensions triggered by the club:

Sean Etaluku, Junior Tiensia, Niall Canavan, Elliot Newby, Paul Farman.

These players’ contracts will expire in the summer but they remain in talks with the club over a new deal with renewed terms:

James Chester and Ben Whitfield.

The players being released following the expiry of their contracts are:

George Ray, Jamie Proctor, Tom White, Courtney Duffus, Sam Foley, Tyrell Warren, Rory Feely, Owen Bray, Malakai Reeve, Sam Bellis.

We're also in talks with Josh Lillis over becoming our full-time goalkeeper coach.

https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2024/may ... list-2324/

A couple of surprises maybe

George Ray will have got a better offer - so as brutal as it seems I don’t think there is any surprises. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of the released players at Fylde next season.

Slightly surprised at Ray and Feely being released (unless they decided to leave). However, my son has just told me that Niall Maher who was a central defender at Halifax under Pete Wild and was in the National League team of the season the year before Wild joined us has been released by Grimsby so we're betting he will be on his way to Barrow! He played 148 games for Halifax in 4 seasons and 61 games for Grimsby in 2 seasons and is 28 years old.

Out of the list we have kept, I hope we can keep spence but he's gonna for sure go up the leagues so best take the money for him if anyone comes in, and Whitfield I imagine will be wanting 90 minutes every week so can't see him sticking around either.

And, not mentioned, Luca Stephenson and Cole Stockton return to their parent clubs. I thought Bray, Reeve and Bellis were here for longer term development and appeared to have been doing OK on their loan spells so I'm surprised all have gone. Is the premise of the B team changing?

Halifax Centre half Jamie Stott a possible signing ?

MisterPleasant wrote: ↑Wed May 01, 2024 5:53 pm And, not mentioned, Luca Stephenson and Cole Stockton return to their parent clubs. I thought Bray, Reeve and Bellis were here for longer term development and appeared to have been doing OK on their loan spells so I'm surprised all have gone. Is the premise of the B team changing?

If anything there will be more youngsters here next season than the 4 we had this year. There was something about it in the mail either this week or last. I'm glad Etalaku has got another year as he showed promise and has a great attitude. I thought Bellis may have got another year though.

George Ray solid defender but we have to move forward with the way Pete Wild wants to play, perhaps he's going for a back four only Pete knows but we are short of decent fullbacks and a more youthful centre half!

Think Pete Wild has got it bang on with the retained list,Procter not mobile enough,White good servant to the club but not athletic enough,Warren came with plenty of potential but not developed,Ray not quick enough,Foley have had two good years out of him ,not going to get better,Feeley prone to making mistakes,Duffus never good enough,chatting to Chester post match said like to get a one year deal done,Whitfield hoping he stays but might not get enough game time,am sure Wild and Wood will have targets planned for a mobile central defender,a athletic right wing back and a hard working midfielder as a priority

No surprises in the release list just let Pete/Adam/Iain get on with recruitment over the summer.