NORTHWICH Vics have finally unloaded two out of three exiled players.
Winger Chris Williams, a hero of their Conference North championship campaign, has joined Bradford Park Avenue and Chris Townson is now with The New Saints.
Only Paul Tait is ‘sitting on his contract’ and refusing to move on.
Vics boss Dino Maamria fell out with the trio in early November. They have been picking up full pay ever since, at a cost of about £20,000 to Vics.
Maamria slammed their lack of commitment and did not want what he called their disruptive influence at the ground.
Williams joined from Stockport and was an immediate fans favourite. But he broke his leg at the start of the 2006-07 Conference campaign and did not recover until the spring.
Bradford, managed by ex-Witton boss Benny Phillips and Northwich based Wayne Porter, inquired about Williams when he was transfer-listed, but Maamria said the player declined to move down the pyramid.
But no club has come in for him or the other since.
Townson, 24, has joined League of Wales outfit TNS, managed by ex-Altrincham and Telford striker Ken McKenna.
Supporters were always more critical of Townson, who joined from Macclesfield, while most believe Tait was well past his best when Neil Redfearn signed him on a two-year deal in the summer.
After making 10 signings in January Maamria has been cutting back, also releasing Jake Johnson and Adam Morning (see below).
Others will follow, though there has been no move for transfer listed Mike Carr, who is rumoured to be interesting Division Two clubs Chester City and Wrexham.
Maamria also had to increase his squad by another body this week, signing goalkeeper Lewis Edge on a month’s loan from Blackpool to cover for the injured Scott Tynan.
Ben Connett remained on the bench for the Halifax game.
Altrincham now occupy the safety position of 20th place. Vics continue their pursuit at Kidderminster Harriers, beaten by Droylsden last time out, on Saturday.
