The unfortunate thing about the Play-Off final is that it gives very little time for the Retained List to be published. Ian Holloway has today revealed that - 1. He has opted to activate the options of a further year's contract on Matt Gilks David Vaughan Mark Halstead Ashley Eastham Ishmel Demontagnac 2. Three players had already triggered their options earlier in the season having completed a specific number of games Stephen Crainey Jason Euell Brett Ormerod 3. Five players have been given free transfers Daniel Nardiello Hameur Bouazza Al Bangura Danny Mitchley Joe Martin 4. Two players did not have their options taken however Holloway insists he wants them both to remain at Bloomfield Road Ben Burgess Rob Edwards More info below
Pool striker Stephen McPhee has revealed that he has been forced to retire from the game at the age of 28. He has fought tigerishly to save his career but has finally succumbed to the knee injury which has sidelined him for the last 18 months. McPhee admitted he wept like a baby at Wembley, overcome because he couldn't think of a better way to end his career than with a group of mates who had won promotion to the Premier League. And although he didn't get on the pitch during Pool's stunning season, he said he felt like a full member of the squad because manager Ian Holloway kept him involved. McPhee, who turns 29 next week, is hoping to stay at Bloomfield Road as part of the coaching team but admits he is devastated at having to hang up his boots. Hopefully he will be given a coaching role at Blackpool and I wish him all the best in the future.
Ian Holloway has been quick to wish the players given free transfers well and reiterate the important part those players had made during the last twelve months.
Ben Burgess and Rob Edwards were both involved in the weekend's play-off win over Cardiff City but did not have their options taken. However Holloway wants the pair to stay.