SEASIDERS RELEASE ELEVEN

Blackpool have announced that no fewer than eleven players have been released.

Richard Kingson, Marlon Harewood and Paul Rachubka are the biggest names on the list after manager Ian Holloway decided to re-shape his squad ahead of the 2011/12 Championship season.

It was reported that personality clashes between Harewood and the coaching staff led to his loan spell at Barnsley and from there it seemed like his time was up.

They are joined by January signings Andy Reid and Sala Sbai, whilst young French midfielder Malaury Martin – who was captured from Monaco in the summer – also departs Bloomfield Road.

Ishmel, Rob Edwards, David Carney, Danny Coid and Jason Euell also missed out on new contracts.

The size of the list won’t come as a surprise to supporters, with only a couple of players let go having an impact on the Seasiders’ fortunes in the Premier League.

It does however leave the management with an awful lot to do ahead of pre-season, with chairman Karl Oyston stating that at least 10 signings need to be made.

What is encouraging is that Pool have been able to activate the contracts of a number of key players, including Charlie Adam, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Ian Evatt, Keith Southern, Neal Eardley – whilst Billy Clarke and Louis Almond will remain at the club.

Interestingly, Brett Ormerod has been offered a new deal, but it remains to be seen whether he will stay. As expected, offers have been put in to keep David Vaughan, Matt Gilks and Stephen Crainey, but it seems that at least two of the three will start the new season at other clubs.

Despite rumours suggesting otherwise, youngsters Ash Eastham and Mark Halstead have also been in negotiations to extend their stay at Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders currently have eleven players – including Charlie Adam – who are first-team material and thus the summer is set to be a very busy one. As always, Vital will keep you updated with everything that happens.