FORMER Wales striker Lee Jones - one of five senior players released by Wrexham - claims he would not have signed a new deal anyway.
Jones, Paul Barrett, Paul Whitfield, Shaun Holmes and Steve Thomas were told the news in face-to-face meetings with Racecourse boss Denis Smith.
Jones, 31 later this month, made just 13 Second Division starts during the season but said he had been ignored since recovering from an injury sustained a week before Christmas. "I've been fit since January but I haven't really been given a chance in the second half of the season," he said.
"It's not sour grapes but I don't think I would have re-signed even if I had been offered a new contract." In a reference to off-field problems at the Racecourse, which included the late payment of wages on several occasions, Jones added: "It's probably a good thing I'm moving on because there have been a lot of things going on behind the scenes which have been far from ideal." Jones, who began his career at the Racecourse before a big money move to Liverpool, said he was already considering a couple of offers from other clubs.
Barrett, who joined Wrexham from his hometown club Newcastle United in March 1999, is also attracting interest from several clubs.
The 26-year-old said: "I've had a good time at Wrexham and made good friends, but I've been here five years so it will probably do me good to move on now.
"It's what I need to freshen me up and, with all the off-field problems at the club this season, I'm just glad I know where I stand."
Fellow Midfielder Thomas, 24, who clocked up 31 league outings during the season, said he was disappointed to be leaving the club he joined from school nearly nine years ago.
But he added: "It will probably do me good to have a change of club, with new people and new ideas. I must admit, though, I was a bit surprised ."
Smith will talk to the other players whose contracts run out this summer early next week, as he trims his squad back to 17 professionals.
