CHESTER City skipper Paul Carden is on his way out of the Deva Stadium.

Carden has been informed that he will not be offered a new deal, while Richard Hope, Darren Edmondson and goal-keeper Wayne Brown don't figure in the club's future plans.

Chester have released their retained list of players for next season, with eight being told by new manger Keith Curle that they have a future with the Coca Cola Two outfit and another out of contract player being offered a new deal.

Goalkeeper Chris Mackenzie, defenders Phil Bolland, Stephen Vaughan and Sean Hessey will all be reporting back for training at the end of next month, as will midfield players Stewart Drummond, Ben Davies and Ryan Lowe.

Leading scorer Michael Branch has also been told that he figures in Curle's future planning, and wing back Carl Regan, who is out of contract, has been offered a new deal by the City boss.

A number of youngsters have been shown the door, with striker Robbie Booth and Michael Walsh being named among the 20 players who are being released.

Curle said: "This wasn't a situation I took lightly, but all the players who have been released can now further their careers elsewhere, and I wish them well."

Meanwhile, Chester director Richard Lynes has resigned from the club's board of directors after spending three years as the representative of the club's Supporters Trust.