Axe falls on seven at the Deva

May 12 2008 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

SIMON Davies has kicked-off his Deva Stadium clear-out, axing seven players.

The Blues boss announced his retained list on Saturday after meeting his players individually last Friday.

Reserve goalkeeper Phil Palethorpe, defenders Simon Marples and Sean Hessey, midfielders Dean Bennett, Tony Grant and Adam Walker and striker Simon Yeo have all been told their Chester contracts will not be renewed when they expire this summer. None of the seven made many first-team appearances last season – Yeo led the way with 21 – and their departures have not come as a major surprise.

Davies said: “This is never a nice time of the year, when you have to tell players that they don’t fit into your future plans.

“I would like to thank all the players who have been released for their efforts while they were with the club, and of course send them my best wishes for the rest of their careers.”

Utility player Kevin Sandwith, left-back Sean Newton and striker Chris Holroyd are weighing up their options after being offered new terms, while Davies is also desperate to keep hold of star defender Paul Linwood, who becomes a free agent this summer.

Youth team graduates Paul McManus, Shaun Kelly and Paul Rutherford have all agreed new terms and are expected to officially sign their contracts soon.