Mattis and Bradley lead Walsall exit
Dwayne Mattis and Mark Bradley have headed the cull at Walsall after the duo were not offered new contracts with the Saddlers.
Dwayne Mattis and Mark Bradley have headed the cull at Walsall after the duo were not offered new contracts with the Saddlers.
The club have also released Netan Sansara, Peter Till, Josh O'Keefe, Sam Adkins and Richard Davies in their end-of-season clearout.
But Manny Smith has penned a new two-year deal at the Banks's Stadium while captain Mark Hughes, Alex Nicholls and Richard Taundry have been offered new contracts.
Midfielders Mattis and Bradley are the star names on the Saddlers departure list, after meeting with manager Chris Hutchings this morning.
He said: "At this time of year some difficult decisions have to be made, but we would like to thank every player for their hard work and effort during their time at Walsall."
New young player of the Season Darryl Westlake, Jamie Vincent, goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin, Will Grigg and Julian Gray have also been offered fresh terms.
Mattis is the shock departure, after 38 appearances in a season where he also captained the side.
The 29-year-old made 78 appearances since signing in 2008 after a four game loan spell the year before.
Bradley, 22, joins Mattis after a frustrating season after struggling to command a regular place and his last start came in the 0-0 draw at Gillingham at the end of January.
The Welsh under-21 international made 104 appearances, after coming through the ranks at the Banks's Stadium.
But the Saddlers have secured highly rated defender Smith on an extended deal, settling a wrangle which has dragged on for two months.
The 22-year-old has turned out 37 times for the Saddlers this season – which ended in Saturday's 2-1 win over Milton Keynes Dons – after breaking into the first team in 2005.
He said: "I'm really pleased to have signed a contract. I'm committed to this club and I'm just pleased to have my future sorted out.
"The aim now is to continue to push on and help take the club forward."
Sansara also came through the ranks at the Banks's with Davies and Adkins, while O'Keefe and Till are released after just one season.
Boss Hutchings now faces another summer rebuilding job with only 10 players definitely signed on for next season – including new Player of the Season Troy Deeney, Darren Byfield and Steve Jones.
