Imps release ten as rebuilding begins

Lincoln City’s retained list caused few surprises when released on Thursday.

Released - 'Sedgey'

One-year deals were offered to key members of the first team including Simon Weaver and Mark Bailey. These two may have been to blame for the odd raised eyebrow, but the remaining five players were widely tipped to stay. Marcus Richardson, Simon Yeo, Chris Cornelly and Jamie McCombe all earned a year at the club with some sterling displays both last season and this. Simon Yeo’s new deal will be the one most fans will want signed as quickly as possible. Yeo blistering pace and devastating impact from the bench has been a highlight of yet another good season.

It had been rumour amongst many City circles that Weaver and Bailey would not be staying on this season.

Bailey to stay an Imp

Bailey however was without a doubt the most consistent performer over the last campaign and despite his comments about the lateness of new deal he will be an Imp next season. Weaver had fallen out of favour with Keith in the weeks leading up to the end of the season with the giant Jamie McCombe taking his place. Weaver asked the fans to sing his name more following the 3-2 home defeat by Yeovil, and then appeared to aim frustrated gestures towards the St Andrews Stand when taken off a week later against Huddersfield. All of this will mean very little now the ex Sheff Wednesday trainee has another season to add to his current brace in a City shirt.

'Horse' - Staying put

On the released list perhaps one name will evoke more interest than most. Ben Sedgemore will be leaving the club after 119 appearances in the red and white of the Imps. The charismatic club captain signed for City under ex boss Phil Stant for a nominal fee, but quickly fell out of favour under Alan Buckley. He was transfer listed but managed to claw his way into the affections of the City fans and made a century of appearance scoring six times. Sedge was always approachable for fans and media alike and even had his own regular column in the club programme poking fun at other players, in particular Simon Yeo. Ben Sedgemore will certainly be remembered by fans who always appreciated his committed approach and no nonsense tackling.

Another surprise was the release of striker Aron Wilford. Wilford spent the last two months of the season replacing Marcus Richardson for ten minutes at the end of every game and was showing some real promise. A goal with his first touch against Yeovil took his tally for the third division campaign to three adding to a pair he netted for relegated York City. A contingent of City fans believed the robust ex Whitby Town man would add further pressure to the four forwards in contention for the three City attacking places.

Another expected but slightly unpopular released player was Cilla Blacks nephew the cheeky Scott Willis. Willis always showed glimpses of real promise without ever being able to truly make it count. He was always on the wrong side of someone whether it be Keith or Simmo, officials or opposition players. He managed to be banished from Hereford Town whilst on loan despite appearing on the winning side seven times out of seven and scoring twice. Certain fans had seen the midfielder as a sure fire star in the making for City. However unfortunately now they will never know.

Also released this week were striker Rory May, ex Premiership midfielder Richard Liburd, New Zealand international Allan Pearce, defender David Wattley, ex City trainee Darren Horrigan, Kevin George and a largely ineffective Niall McNamara.