Six players leave United

Last updated : 29 April 2002 By Luke Thornhill
Stuart Thom, Carl Bradshaw, Mark Anderson and Chris Bennion complete the professional players who depart, whilst Danny Masson and Dave Burraway have not been offered full time deals after completing YT's at the club.

I am disappointed releasing Nigel Pepper but he has come to the conclusion that he can no longer sustain the fitness levels for league football and that is why we have to release him," explained Laws today.

“Stuart Thom will be leaving because he has been inconsistent in terms of injury problems”

The departures come as no surprise, though the amount of players who are being offered new contracts is surprising, considering the current financial climate - though it remains how many of these will be accepted.

Andrew Dawson has been offered a new three year deal, whilst Basque midfielder Alex Calvo-Garcia has now been handed the two year contract he asked for.

“The deal with Andy Dawson will depend on one or two other things. Norwich are one club showing interest it just remains to be seen whether they will come in," said Lawsy.

“We are going to have bide our time but we know we have offered him a three-year deal so if it doesn't happen we will get compensation.

"I have also got to prepare myself for him not signing and it is more than likely that he won't. I would be surprised but delighted if he did."


Wayne Graves has already indicated he will accept a two year extension to his contract with Matthew Sparrow expected to accept a similar offer. Brian Quailey, Scott Brough, James Cotterill and Lee Ridley have also been offered new deals.

Gareth Sheldon has been offered a six month deal, on the proviso that he loses a stone. A member of the management staff at Glanford Park has told Iron-Bru.net that although Ginge worrked hard to recover from his broken leg, he has become lazy again with regards to training.

Terry Barwick and Steve Ridley have both been handed their first professional contracts, after completing their apprenticeships with the youth team.