Roper out as cull goes on

Walsall today announced the group of players who will not be offered deals for next season, with long-serving defender Ian Roper heading the list.

The centre-back, whose association with the club began at the age of 14, leaves the Banks’s Stadium after 16 years’ service, in which he made 379 appearances and scored eight goals. 

The 30-year-old began his final Walsall campaign back in the side, but because of the form of Scott Dann and Anthony Gerrard, didn’t make a League appearance from September until January.

Then the sale of Dann to Coventry City provided another opportunity. 

He was an ever-present until his foot was broken in a late challenge from Cheltenham’s Steven Gillespie, an injury which ended his season and ultimately his Walsall career. 

He won Player of the Year in 2002/2003 after playing a big part in keeping Walsall in the Championship for a second consecutive season. 

Michael Dobson, David McDermott, Alassane N’Dour and Stefan Moore are the others to be released in addition to the four revealed by the Express & Star on Monday and Tommy Mooney, whose move to Marbella is not yet finalised. 

Darren Wrack, Bertrand Bossu, Edrissa Sonko and Aaron Brown all left at the weekend, while the others were informed of the club’s decision by football consultant Paul Taylor. 

The Express & Star understands that the other out of contract first team players, Paul Boertien, Rene Gilmartin and Manny Smith, have been offered deals for next season, while first-year pro Chris Hanna has left the club. 

The clearout leaves the next Walsall manager with just seven experienced first team players on the books,.

“We would like to thank each and every player for their hard work and effort,” chief executive Roy Whalley said. “We would especially like to thank Darren Wrack and Ian Roper for their service to the football club.

“Some difficult decisions have been made as we look to develop a squad capable of making further progress.”