Ben Purkiss leaves in Saddlers shuffle
Dean Smith has begun Walsall's summer refit by releasing four players including defender Ben Purkiss.
The 31-year-old right-back, the club's community player of the season award, was the most surprising name on yesterday's released and retained list.
Fellow defender Mal Benning, midfielder Jake Heath and forward Ashley Grimes have also been informed they will not be offered new deals, while discussions will continue with a host of players including goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell.
Purkiss joined the Saddlers as a free agent in 2012 and made 85 total appearances, 39 of those this season.
After missing the start of the campaign with an ankle injury, he was a regular fixture at right-back.
He took to Twitter to address Walsall fans: "Thank you for your support and good luck for the future."
Benning, a product of the club's youth system, by contrast endured a disappointing campaign in which he fell behind teenager Rico Henry in the pecking order.
The 21-year-old spent two months on loan at York.
After news of his exit broke, he took to social media to express his thanks to the club.
He posted a message on Instagram which read: "Time at Walsall FC has come to an end after soo many years! there has been many ups and downs and I suppose it wasn't meant to be.
"But it was a good club to be at."
Grimes signed a one-year deal last July after being released by Bury but found the net only twice in the season.
Heath, who never played for the first team, spent most of the year on loan at Rushall and a return to non-league looks likely.
The club are still waiting to hear whether shot-stopper O'Donnell will accept their offer of a new two-year deal.
