Oldham Athletic have published their retained list for the 2019/20 season.
The announcement comes despite the fact the club are without a manager after head coach Pete Wild left earlier this week citing personal reasons.
Three standout names are amongst those not being offered new terms. Club captain and defensive stalwart Peter Clarke along with talented midfield duo Jose Baxter and Dan Gardner have all been allowed to leave Boundary Park.
Experienced left-back Andy Taylor is also looking for fresh pastures having made nineteen appearances in his single season with the Latics.
Jay Sheridan, Chinedu Uche and were also released.
The club confirmed it had taken up options on the contracts of forward Johan Branger-Engone, who scored five goals last season, and French midfielder Christopher Missilou, who made fifty appearances across all competitions.
Oldham also announced it was in on-going negotiations with Jonathan Benteke, Mohamed Maouche, Gevaro Nepomuceno and Zeus De la Paz.
Giles Coke, George Edmundson, Tom Hamer, Rob Hunt, Chris O’Grady, Harry Robinson, Sonhy Sefil, Jamie Stott, Javid Swaby-Neavin and Mohamad Sylla are all under contract for next season.
To add to the general air of doom and gloom amongst the Oldham faithful, the news that three of the best players in an under-performing squad were being allowed infuriated many supporters.
Current owner Abdallah Lemsagam is not a popular figure at Boundary Park, and fans once again questioned and criticised his leadership when they took to Twitter to respond to the news.
Here is a selection of their responses.
Theres not much more that can be said. Club is on its arse, being run in to the ground by a complete clown. I would like to know his serious intentions and thinking behind pretty much every big decision he makes #oafc
— Tom Butterworth (@tom_db) May 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/LiamJump/status/1126157833895120897
No wonder wild walked 🤡 🤡
— sean (@seanxbroadhurst) May 8, 2019
Lost three of our best players 🙄🙄
— 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙚 oafc (@oafcjamie) May 8, 2019
No recognition of our leader, our capitano being released, Peter Clarke is an absolute legend on and off the pitch and imo deserved another year. Lack of respect from 🤡. Would have binned off a few more Sefil, Benteke, Zeus, Coke and O'grady whether contracted or not! #oafc
— Elliot Pearson (@bardsleybutcher) May 8, 2019
We are a joke club! Letting our best defender and captain go!! He’s easily got another year left in him at this level! Defo one who if anything deserves a pay RISE !!Absolute mess #nonleagueherewecome #ownerplayingchampmanager. #oafc
— Si Challoner (@SiChall) May 8, 2019
Giles coke!!!!!!
How does a club with no manager decide who to release / have contract negotiations with? Hard enough getting my kids to come this season but no Clarke as well??
Fucking disaster— Stuart whitehead (@sturw70) May 9, 2019
AL’s charm offensive continues 🙄
— Harry (@LeeHarry83) May 8, 2019
Christ that is bleak
— davebutter (@davebutter) May 8, 2019
Abdallah out😴
— bailey pomfrey (@bailey_pomfrey) May 8, 2019
I can’t describe how pessimistic I feel. The worst since this time 1960.
What odds against us changing places with Stockport this time next year….
Btw what has happened to the fans’ Facebook page?