Matt Clarke has been axed by City after four years at Valley Parade.

The central defender is the biggest name on the list of seven players that Peter Taylor is clearing out.

Clarke, who was signed by Colin Todd from Darlington in June 2006, played 99 times and scored four goals after spending most of his first year injured.

He was a regular under Stuart McCall last season but blotted his copybook when he was dropped for disciplinary reasons at Exeter along with Barry Conlon. Clarke has played 24 games this term and recently won his place back alongside Steve Williams.

City have released right back Jonathan Bateson and injury-jinxed midfielder Steve O’Leary as well as goalkeeper Matt Glennon, who made 17 appearances after being signed by McCall in mid-January.

Youngsters Luke Sharry, Matt Convey and Rory Carson are also on their way.

Taylor said: “It was a tough decision with Matt but I’m going to look around in that position to see what’s out there.

“But if I don’t find what I want there’s a chance I might ring Matt again because he’s big, strong, left-footed and has good experience, which is what I will be looking for.

“I feel for Steve O’Leary because as soon as I got here he was injured and I haven’t been able to see enough of him to offer another year.

“With Matt Glennon, I couldn’t guarantee he’d be No 1 and, financially for us, I would have had to do that to keep him on the same wages.

“But he is another one I might look at again.”

He added: “I’ve got two chairmen and a board that expect me to manage the football club to be successful. I can’t be soft.

“We need a very, very good team and I’ve got to be 100 per cent honest with myself on that. I’m only going to have players here that I feel are going to do a very good job in August.”

Taylor is eyeing “six or seven” new arrivals in the summer.

He has already stated that Wycombe’s Luke Oliver is in his sights after impressing during his recent loan stay.

And the City boss has already got other potential targets in mind.

He added: “I think I know how I would love the team to play and what we need for on and off the ball.

“I’d love to say the six or seven we bring in would all be top of the list that I want but that may not be the case. But no doubt the pull of Bradford City will help me in my decision-making.”

City finish the campaign at Crewe tomorrow hoping to sign off with a sixth game unbeaten.

Taylor said: “We’ve been looking for progress and just lately we’ve had that. Some of the performances we’ve put in have been very encouraging.

“We still want to win another game and if we do, we could move up one or two more positions. That’s our aim and we will be taking the strongest team available.”

City have a score to settle after losing 3-2 at home to Crewe in a wild encounter earlier in the season.

Taylor, who worked under Dario Gradi as a player at Leyton Orient, said: “Everyone can learn from the way Dario prepares and coaches his team. I’m expecting a good match.

“Some of the things we did at the end of the Northampton game were outstanding and I’m hopeful we can keep that going.”

James Hanson will not be risked but Simon Ramsden is likely to start after coming off the bench last week.

Meanwhile, West Yorkshire police are studying more than 60 images of the pitch invasion which marred the Northampton game.

Joint-chairman Mark Lawn said: “Some of the individuals in the pictures are already known to them.”