Athletic have 23 days before training recommences for the new season and although the squad is down to just 10 senior players, Managing Director Simon Corney (pictured) believes that there is no need to panic. Richie Wellens, Chris Porter, Will Haining, Matt Wolfenden and Stefan Stam need to either commit to stay at Boundary Park or move on as replacements will need to be sought.
Corney said, "It isn't necessarily true that you need to have players signed up by the middle of June. There are an awful lot of people available at this time of year and many of them want to take their time, as do clubs. The best players aren't always snapped up early. Chris Porter scored 23 goals last season and he hasn't signed for anybody else has he? It's obvious we need to make signings, but we don't want to rush into anything or commit to new players for the sake of it."
The 10 professionals currently under contract are Andy Liddell, Gary McDonald, Neal Trotman, Neil Wood, Kelvin Lomax, Michael Pearson, Sean Gregan, Les Pogliacomi, Neal Eardley and Chris Taylor.