CHESTER CITY manager Keith Curle is set to release 20 of the 29 players he inherited when he joined the club as he clears the decks in readiness for a promotion push next season.
Curle, who was appointed last month following the resignation of Ian Rush, conducted individual interviews with the playing squad yesterday, and the players were informed if they had a future at the Deva Stadium.
"It is never easy to tell play-ers that they are being released, but I don't want any player to be under false illusions, and it has always been my policy to be straight and open with them," said Curle.
The ex-England and Manchester City defender continued: "I am giving free transfers to 20 of the squad, some are still contracted to the club, so if they can't get fixed up with another club next season, we will offer them a financial package.
"The nine players we have retained will all have to fight for their places, nobody is going to be an automatic choice next season, everything is performance-related."
A number of fresh faces will be brought in to the club, who commence their pre-season training on Thursday June 30.
"This season which finished at the weekened for Chester City, has been a long one and contained lots of turmoil. I am pleased we finished on a high at Oxford, but now all our attentions are focused on next season," said Curle..
"This will be the hardest pre-season programme a lot of Chester players have ever had, but it hopefully will be enjoyable for everybody involved with the club."
Chester will officially release their retained list tomorrow, when all the players will have received written confirmation of yesterday's meetings.
Meanwhile, former Chester City striker, Ian Foster, has been released by Kidderminster Harriers, the Midlands club finished next-to-bottom in Coca-Cola League Two this season, and will be playing in the Nationwide Conference next season.
