Thetownend.com

Up on official site in a couple of minutes according to morshead on twitter

Ferry released. Gutted.

What the actual fuck.

SPORT: #Swindon Town release five first-team players. Joe Devera, Rafa De Vita, Simon Ferry, Tommy Miller and Chris Smith all leave #stfc

Releasing Ferry is absolutely ridiculous, disappointed that Devera will be leaving too.

Discussions are on-going with Alan McCormack over a new deal, whilst four players will be offered contracts to remain at The County Ground.

Defenders Chris Smith and Joe Devera will not be offered new deals and will leave the club, whilst midfielders Raffaele De Vita, Simon Ferry and Tommy Miller will also depart.


Retained
 

Leigh Bedwell
 
Aden Flint
 
Miles Storey
 
Nathan Thompson
 

Released
 

Joe Devera
 
Raffaele De Vita
 
Simon Ferry
 
Tommy Miller
 
Chris Smith

Read more at http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/article/retained-list-815309.aspx#DdwZVM3pky4eIH8O.99

To let Ferry and Devera leave on frees is just baffling.

If ferry had been on retained list i would have been happy with that.

Getting our best outfield player leave on a free, ridiculous.

The only thing worse than playing Ferry on the wing is releasing him. Joke.

So, is this just the first phase, or do we assume the likes of McCormack and Flint are being offered new deals?

bye boi - hope the hammy gets better

McCormack is listed seperately as "negotiations are ongoing" rather than either list, which suggests to me he's being offered reduced terms?

I miss Ferry already.

This

Very disappointed Devera has left. Was very good at centre back.

It's rumored that he wanted to leave, still gutting though

So, have the retained actually signed anything or just been offered?

Just offered it seems.

Depressing....and to be honest its getting to the stage where i dont care anymore.

yes

Gutted about Simon Ferry leaving, a real 'top boi' and will be missed Not too bothered about the others going (except Devera) and would like Alan Mc to stay as well, but can't see it!

Looks like the retained list have been only been offered contracts, nothing to say they'll actually stay (although I see no reason Bedwell will reject it, the job market for unexperienced 18-24 year olds is terrible at the moment).

Why we haven't taken up the year option on Ferry is beyond me, even if it was to then sell for a bit of cash. Bit gutted Devera is leaving too, he's a good, versatile defender.

So, they haven't been retained as such, they could all in theory choose to piss off if they so wanted

Only McCormack can. The club would retain the players registration on the others and be due compensation ala James Collins. That's if we've offered them the same/better terms than they're on at present.

Going to be an interesting summer. Can't see the likes of Wes staying so we are going to have a much different and I would guess a much younger squad come August.

If players are out of contract how can they be termed 'retained'?

Out of contract to me means they are able to find a new club for no fee if they wish to do so

If we had an option on Flint then surely he's staying?

Maybe Ferry won't accept what has been offered, if one has been made of course?
 Had an offer from elsewhere i'd guess. Don't want to see him go although i don't rate him as highly as some others.
Like Devera too. Can only think this is wages based really. Cutbacks starting to bite

If a player under 23 has been offered a new contract that is better than or equal to their current terms, they cannot move for free to another club. This is why we ended up forking out so much for Troy and Collins.

Seems logical to me. Devera is a CB, we've got Ward and TAH under contract and Flint has clearly impressed him more than Devera. For what its worth i think devera is the better player, but it leaves him scope to get another CB in.

Ferry is tough. He's done well for us and sure he'll end up at Franchise. However i dont think he is powerful enough in this division, you see at Brentford and Millwall a couple of years ago he gets bullied.

Miller is 34, de Vita never a regular and Chris Smith a joke

The way the article is phrased makes me think that Flint and Thompson are definitely staying and have accepted terrms, whereas the remainder are either in discussions or their deals are on the table:

"Aden Flint and Nathan Thompson are retained.

Discussions are on-going with Alan McCormack over a new deal, while Leigh Bedwell and Miles Storey are both offered fresh terms."

Rumours have been flying about that he wanted to leave to get closer to home. Whether true or not I don't know.

Hold on to your hats...

Wes Foderingham ‏@wes_foderingham 1m

Nothing worse than an uncertain future!

Defenders Chris Smith and Joe Devera will not be offered new deals and will leave the club, whilst midfielders Raffaele De Vita, Simon Ferry and Tommy Miller will also depart.

the way its written suggests that they may have been interested in Ferry/Miller De Vita but they had other options.

It's not about who is leaving

It's about who is arriving as replacements

At the end of the day a Saturday afternoon watching Swindon-lite is still preferable to getting dragged to Tesco or Ikea

Just to you I think.

I find it odd that we'd offer terms to McCormack and not Ferry, both must be on similar wages but one is obviously a better prospect. Ferry's been here for a few years now and it's feasible that he would reject a new deal.

I think I'm writing this to try and comfort myself a little.

Wes will obviously be wanting improved terms to stay. There's no doubt he could move elsewhere for more money.

Presume Macca is seen as a more versatile player as to what position he plays, but Ferry is a CM and cant play right wing

Agree, though, about Ferry being a bit lightweight

He might have rejected a new deal but surely you'd put that in the article. Ferry was offered terms but declined.

If he was his decision then make that public, otherwise the club are getting the shit because e wants to leave.

It's currently reads that we didnt even offer him a new deal, which in my opinion is fucking ludicrous.

McCormack is a utility player. With a smaller budget and smaller squad his ability to play anywhere across the back and midfield makes him valuable.

Its Logical DV Canion as K Mac needs room to change the squad to what he wants. He can't as people on this board think keep these and offload people under contract easily!

The Wes Twitter thing is surely just reference the people who are moving on, he's under contract and would command a big fee!

Releasing your best outfield player is not logical.

It does seem that way. I guess it's possible he may have made it clear that he wouldn't discuss terms but as you say, the club could announce that and deflect a lot of the criticism that they will rightly receive.

I don't understand the point of keeping Bedwell either.

Releasing Ferry is stupid. We had an option on him should of taken it up ages ago.

He's young, cheap and for all we know, very good

Unless the club suddenly release him from his contract I wouldn't be terribly disappointed to see him leave, his performance on Monday alone clearly shows what an excellent prospect he is and he deserves to play at a higher level

Apart from a 70 minute cameo at Preston, where I thought he played well considering the pressure and circumstances has anyone actually seen him play - he may be a fantastic prospect.

Indeed, it's similar to Greer in a way. The club accepted the bid and he went. Did he want to go, dunno.

If the club had put a new contract on the table in front of him there and then the decision would have been Greers to make and we'd have known for sure whether he wanted to stay or go.

Well, we all expect Wes to be off...

I'm fairly sure Arriba has seen him play a number of times and he's usually pretty much spot on with his judgement of the youth players.

Guttted but thems the realities of halving the budget I guess.

Ferry expensive, Bedwell cheap. It's as simple as that.

Well Wes isn't expecting to be going anywhere....

Wes Foderingham ‏@wes_foderingham 3m
For those asking about me I have another year left on current deal. As it stands I will be here next season unless I am told otherwise.

Be interesting to see if ferry goes back up to Scotland. I'll be a little miffed if he ends up signing for Franchise or a fellow league 1 club.

Thanks for the effort Mr Ferry in your time at stfc.

Wes has just said unless told otherwise he will be with us next year,

Re. Bedwell.. He has a lot to learn. He did OK at Preston. He is a big Town fan and only a kid as well (I would say most goalkeepers dont peak until quite late in their careers). Worth keeping around IMO, I remember Steve Mildenhall being a bit shite when he was here as a kid and he's gone on to have a fairly solid career around the lower leagues.

As for Ferry, I'd heard he wanted to leave and he'd made this clear. I don't know how true it is!

Either way don't let that stop you having a hissy fit DV, I've missed them.

It's rumoured Ferry wanted to go back to Scotland. His Mrs even went back there toave the baby. If he no longer fits in iMacs plans I guess they didn't activate the year clause in case they couldnt sell him. He was wasted on the right and guess kmac has his idea of his midfield without Ferry.

Well if he's down to the last year of his contract I suggest we start negotiating with him soon.

For those wondering, our chairman is on holiday for the next two weeks.

Hoping Flint signs, our defense wont be affected with him Ward and Thompson. Happy with that.

 I'm surprised we've offered something to Flint, as I thought he'd be off, but this could be to expedite a fee.

 We now need to move on some of the contracted players which is of course the hard part...because you're stuck with the shit, and don't want to lose the decent players.  If we could get a fat fee for Foderingham, then that would be good. Sunderland must surely need a back up keeper...realistically though he is our only seriously saleable asset...we could perhaps get £200K for James Collins.

All that pub-related 'work' would have tired anyone out.

DeVita has said he thinks it is the right time to move on, and has loved every minute of his time at Swindon.

The release of Chris Smith is massive gut punch to have to take

Well then all the club need to do is offer him a contract he doesn't want. State they have offered him a deal - then when he doesn't sign it's clear his decision and not the clubs. Thus clearing themselves of blame...

But that would seriously hinder the social network meltdown!

There is that I suppose....

Ayia napa or some other similar horrible Brits abroad destination no doubt!!

Can someone with more time on their hands do a list of who is under contract, who is retained etc as I suspect that may shed some light on the retained released issues, for instance as Navarro has another year it kind of explains to a degree the Ferry release.

Such a thread definitely exists. Not sure where it is mind you.

Can't really see him doing the cultural tour of Italy or maybe an archaeological dig.

Hope to God he has no budgie smugglers

Foderingham
Ward
JMac
Cox
Navarro
Collins
Williams
Benson
Caddis
TAH
Roberts
L. Rooney

Have a gander at Costanza's wonderfully colour coded list: http://thetownend.com/index.php?topic=47981.0

Not if it's funded by our season ticket sales/his consultancy fee... ;)

When you actually look at it a good number of the squad are on the young side already

Wes
Thompson twins
Flint
TAH
Collins
Storey
Maybe Byrne

Not a bad nucleus

Cox could be ferry's cheaper replacement. I've never seen him play so no idea if he is any cop or not.

I think Plymouth fans rated him

It's worth remembering that Rooney is signing a permanent deal as well and he's scored a fair few since MacDonald took over.

Whn you look at the list of midfielders for instance the Ferry decision makes sort of sense (financially at least), taking note of the contract offers we had around 10, a numnber of which have contracts till 2014 so something had to give.

And Benson is still under contract as well.

The list of 12, will need to be trimmed. Not easy...we might have got shot of Cox to Plymuff but he's long term injured, maybe a Div 4 or top end Conference side might fancy a proven scorer like Benson. L Rooney has been shunted around about without really doing anything to make anyone want him.

Navarro, Roberts and JMac are probably going nowhere. TAH we don't know his fitness. Caddis we know will go, Williams and Collins might attract some interest, which only leaves Foderingham.

Ferry may have been small, but (when played in the correct position) he was consistently one of the most influential players on the pitch.

3 out of 4 seasons he played regularly in CM, we had a play-off placed or promotion winning side, who retained the ball well and played decent attacking football. The 1 season he didn't play, our midfield was disjointed, we struggled to retain the ball, and we got relegated from league 1.

So gutting that Ferry, Ritchie and Caddis, the young outfield players who were at the centre of our success last year, have all gone for basically nothing in the space of a year, and we've been left with the overpriced, under-performing deadwood contracted to us by Di Canio to build a team around next year.

Good luck wherever you head next Simon. One of the few players who's shown loyalty and always given 100% for the cause.

How anyone can act all surprised after weeks/months of financial uncertainty is just as baffling.

But it been plain to see that KMac didn't fancy him in midfield and remember before that he looked to be on the way out when PdC arrived.

I do wonder whether its a training thing but managers don't seem to rate him (initially at least) hope he goes back to Scotland personally as could possibly do a job in scot prem.

Personally, I lean towards Simon Ferry wanting to leave more than anything.

His new club will indicate whether I am right or wrong.

When he's on the ball he's decent. Off the ball he aint. Not good enough infront of goal either.
The out wide arguement doesn't wash with me either. For instance on monday. He had ample occasions when he was able to come inside and did but still struggled. His protection of Devera was non existant. I'm afraid he isn't versatile enough. If it's him or Macca then it's a no brainer. I think he will be on too much money in comparison to those being retained so doesn't justify it and off he goes.

He did play in the season where you said he didn't,he was bloody awful when he did though. Richie was-is a far bigger loss.

Shame on Ferry, strange one as you get the impression that KMac rates him as everytime he has been fit he has been played and was even played albeit out of position (again) in the play off games just after injury.

I would have preferred Devera to stay ahead of Flint

Nothing been confimed re Adam Rooney hopefully we dont sign him and that leaves scope to bring in another striker otherwise that wil lbe 4 on the books of which none are consistent enough

"Meanwhile, Adam Rooney will soon become a full-time Town man. A clause within the original loan agreement between Swindon and Birmingham stipulated that the striker would sign on permanently in Wiltshire this summer."
http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/news/10406492.De_Vita_hints_at_County_Ground_exit/

I see in retaliation to Ferry's release, some of our fans have decided to abuse Alan Navarro.... If I couldn't laugh about it I'd end up bashing my head against a wall.

"Just voicing my opinion"

Yes well opinion makes you look like a fucking cunt.

Rooney is averaging a goal every other game pro rata the time he has spent on the pitch.

That's consistent enough for me

I doubt Navarro cares.

With regards to Ferry, Devera & Alan Mac.

I guess with the budgets being cut, if its a choice between one if the three then its an obvious choice to go with the most versatile of the three.

As for Ferry, if its true that he does want to leave then extending his contract against his wishes would surely be a recipe for disaster. We end up paying an unhappy player rather than someone who wants to be here.

I think you're right. So why not at least put a deal on the table and at least try to get a fee for him, instead of just letting a valuable (it's all relative, folks) asset leave for nothing?

There are some absolute idiots on twitter at the moment.

Just at the moment? I thought it was a pretty much permanent state of affairs...

Depends who you 'follow'.

Will Rooney sign? I imagine this clause was something under PDC, i assume we have the option of not signing him?

Probably used to it.

I just don't understand why you would call someone a cunt just because they aren't quite as good at football as you'd like them to be. Fucking lunacy.

Happens to me every time I step out at the Oasis.

The Navarro comments are stupid as well.

The lad was a key player for Brighton in a three man midfield in a team that played almost every ball on the ground.

We signed him and expected him to play in a two man midfield in a team that plays back to front pretty quickly!

In the couple of games we played 3 man midfield with him in there he looked good.

That's called jealousy, bro.

Deal was probably done in January.

How do you see other peoples messages to people on Twitter ?

He has the best movement off the ball of all our players, a footballing art form crucial to ball retention and attacking play most people don't seem to appreciate anymore. Quality off the ball isn't all about being a 6 foot chugger who goes flying into challenges.


You can fill a squad with versatile players all you want (for the balance of which they're very useful). The best TEAMS will still be built around specialists in their position who complement each other as part of a balanced 11. I'd rather have a specialist player who's one of the best in his position in the first team than a versatile player who can fill in at CB, fullback or CM but does an average job in each.

Shame to see Ferry and Devera go. Let's hope Flint and McCormack actually accept their offers.

In general I worry about next season. Relying on kids is a dangerous game.

I'm fully aware of his movement,I appreciate how he drops off and gives himself a yard or two,always offers himself as an outlet etc. He's good at that and can see a pass too.
 I was on about when the team is not in posession of the ball. I should have been clearer. He's weak and it's a big flaw i'm afraid.

I'd also like to point out that if it wasn't for a 6 foot chugger we would have been out of site by half time on monday. The same 6 foot chugger took us into extra time. Would Ferry ever score a goal like that? For a creative player his scoring record is poor. The versatile McCormack a bigger threat when deployed at centre mid.

:-D can't believe that. I always thought you moved gracefully.. like a ginger ballerina....

I only saw one person do so, at to be honest I used to sit next to him in the TE and he's alright. Not defending him though, even if you think he's shit not sure what purpose tagging him in a tweet saying so serves?! I'll put it down to a lack of snickers..

jed mccrory - are you for reel?!  do you actually have any money or are just running stfc for the interim?! joke. I was suspicious at day one how yours was the best consortium available, with what is, has been released today it justifies my feeling. get reel and show you are really a big businessman and not a tire kicker.

Are you fishing for an answer?

Count to 10 before coming a grammar Nazi....1.....2....3.....4.....5......

What is a tire kicker?

We all know how good Ferry could be, we all know he had the talent to be better and we all know his shortcomings.

I don't think he did himself any favours with previous regimes and only one of our previous managers got the best out of him.  If he had stayed I’m not sure we’d see the same player as we have the last couple of seasons.

think Ferry only making Kmac's team on the right wing didn't do much for his wish to stay. With Oakley signing as pro, plus supposedly a fit Troy AH, alongside Flint and Ward I guess we are well catered for at centre back, but we will definitely miss Joe Devera's versatility. Even if we do sign Byrne with Nathan T and McEveley injured as often as they are fit it doesn't leave us much cover at full back.

A footballer without much stamina?

All rumour and supposition but:

Heard on Monday that McCormack is not staying as he does not like living in Swindon - how true we will see,

also,

TAH and McEveley both have problems with the knee ops, TAH being the more serious one and insurance company not willing to pay out as the Italian side of things is not straightforward and cannot get to bottom of what was actually done.

Once again, how true we will see when pre-season comes around.

As usual any I am always sorry to see better players leave for whatever reason and I definitely include Ferry in that.

I don't understand - have they had operations at this amazing Italian clinic Di Canio used and something has gone wrong?

AMac, has the security now of something on the table...a bit like Jonathan Douglas a couple of seasons ago. His agent will doubtless be touting around for a better deal, and should it be found he'll be off.

Yes, they've accidentally replaced TAH's kneecap with a piece of Cannelloni.

I was going to suggest that this clinic was another money spinner for Phil Spencer and that he did the op.

There was a few. That orange faced mess that some of the twitter brigade seem to be in love with was particularly vocal...

Fair comment soapy tit wank

hahaha, what? Who is that?

Ha, You on about that Becky?

I expect Fodders will be sold to pay the ongoing costs of the players that still have big wages and wont leave.

Flint & Alan M. will probably get better wages else where.

Bedwell, Storey and Thompson will sign.

Hold on tight, this is just the beginning.

I just had a look at her tweets...wow.

lets be honest, we enjoyed it whilst we could but we all knew that what we were spending was top end. Whats the problem with having to deal with the same situation almost every other club is in? not every club has a money man willing to lose a fortune every season and we should be no different. Whilst not convinced about jed why is it such an issue if he hasn't got millions to lose, we have no right to demand that of an owner. he has many communication issues and other questions need answering but i genuinely believe he isn't here to fleece the club. put some realism into the budget and what we can afford- yes. I am excited at the thought of what kmac can build, when he first took the job everyone was loving the fact that he had fantastic contacts and ability to work with youths. he now has the summer to build this.  

Disappointed that Devera has been released. I still think that he's our best central defender, and was unfortunate to be played out of position at right back due to various injuries at that position.

Ferry is probably on a decent wage, and it 'might be' more to do with him pissing about too much for MacDonald's liking?

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Yes,the new "Samsung" guy better be as good!

Ferry is Scotland bound. A loyal servant and great bloke but also very overrated by the majority of STFC fans - will he ever play at a higher level than League 1? I doubt it. Too lightweight and doesn't score enough goals.

Don't expect Aden Flint to stick around - he will be off.

Darren Ward is also not happy and I believe he said post match on Monday that he will have to talk to the manager as he dropped a league to challenge and dismantling our squad is not doing that.

Thank fuck De Vita has gone.

Stupid bint, acts and looks like a reject from that TOWIE shit. Bet she is like a glove puppet downstairs.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

EXCLUSIVE

So then Aden Flint will be signing up soon and Darren Ward is delighted to be here and is chomping at the bit for next season already.

Dreading the thought of McEvely being a regular next season,he was shocking in L2

No he wasn't.

Sometime I wonder if people on here just re-write history and make stuff up as they go along.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

First part bang on.

Second part, brilliant

Jmac and nevarro have had injury hit seasons. Let's see what they can do when fully fit.

I don't think this is the end of the on or off field cull though, if opportunity allows

I remember him being ace when on loan, then shit when he had a permanent deal signed.

It's his distribution that infuriates me.

He is a more than capable defender for League 1 level and was clearly a class above League 2 last season. It still amuses me that people blamed him making his debut on us losing to Chesterfield in the JPT final.

So you think Flint is a better player than Ferry?

He's shit going forward but defensively he is good. He was playing with an injury earlier in the season so we didn't see the best of him.

Flint scores twice as many goals as Ferry does.

Given a choice between the two I'd pick Flint. But that might just be because the Brentford goal is still fresh in my mind.

Eh? Where have I said that?

What is that becky's twitter? I fancy a read

If Flint wasn't 6 foot 4 he wouldn't be a professional footballer.

But he is, isn't he? Good solid defender who bangs in a few goals. His distribution is poor, but if it wasn't he wouldn't be playing lower league football. What do people expect of a league one defender?

Devera is a better CB.

...but...above the age of 23.

And one assumes more expensive.

I thought Flint was bloody brilliant in our run in, hope he signs his offer

This is, of course, the sort of thing that alerts other clubs, however by making the offer we will be due a fee.

Flint should be our first choice penalty taker next year.

Why? Because he can score a penalty falling over? Lord only knows where it would have gone had he not slipped! :-)

I know its like delusional people making up rubbish as they think it makes people feel they are important.

A hint dear boy, people are laughing at you, not with you.

I don't think he makes it up.

I think it's being fed to him and he's gullible enough to believe it.

You call it falling over. I call it technique.

Not that I could see any of our penalties anyway due to the wall of locked bodies on the centre-circle blocking the view of anyone behind the goal.

This.

McEveley has said on twitter he is definitely staying. We'll see mind.

What like grooming

that Jay is, or Aden is?

Jay

Was amazed when Devera stepped up to take our first pen but thought his was the best of the 10!

Also worth saying with his equaliser Flint showing (what was presumably obvious) that when attacking set pieces from central positions rather than being at the back post to nod it back across goal he could and should be a Shaun Taylor-esque scoring threat.

Given everything that has been said about budget cuts and knowing that we have a few players remaining on big contracts, the only surprise to me was Flint being retained.  On reflection, I think it will be an offer of the same terms as previously in the expectation that he'll get a better offer elsewhere and we'll get compensation as he's under 24.  If he was the same age as Ferry I think he'd be in the same position.

Flint came in from Alfreton. I know we were fighting with Colchester for his signiture but surely he's not on megabucks?

  Agreed. So we offer what he was earning before. He gets better offers elsewhere, moves on and we get compensation.

As good as THAT goal was, far too many of his headed opportunities were abysmal and we had more success with him nodding it back across the area.

I'm happy he may stay though, he is continually improving. Still a bit of a dopey idiot sometimes but I'm beginning to forgive him that.

Regarding Jay Mac, a friend of mine was sat next to a Sunderland scout a few weeks ago (prior to PDC) and although he would not say who he was actually watching, had made notes on all the players and Jay Mac was down as "a good defender, does not get pulled out of position, always tries to make use of the ball and generally very solid left back". Got to say I have never been convinced but that could be down to injuries and the way PDC used him, and if that is what a Premier scout thinks what the hell do I know!

 :hmmm:

a club would know those basics about a player before sending a scout. A scout would be going into far more detail about an individual.