Gedman on Avenue exit list (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Gedman on Avenue exit list

11:53am Friday 6th June 2008

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Boss Dave Cameron has confirmed some of the players who are not being retained by the club for next season - and one or two of the names will surprise onlookers.

They include last season's second top goalscorer Paul Gedman, vice-captain Ross Clegg and the experienced Paul Stoneman, who has opted for a move closer to home.

In the first week back after his holiday, Cameron said: "Paul Gedman, Chris Will-iams, Ross Clegg, Chris Gaghan, Griff Jones, Tris Whitman and Mark Jones have all gone and Paul Stoneman as well.

"There are different reasons as to why but they are all away from the club already.

"That is quite a list but we believe it is onwards and upwards. Others will be coming in that will add to the quality of the squad."

Cameron admitted that he and the club's chief executive, Bob Blackburn, had not seen eye to eye on one of the departures.

"I had a fall-out with Mr Blackburn about Griff Jones going.

"He wanted to keep him and even give him a raise because he had done well on loan at Radcliffe.

"I hadn't seen him play enough and told him I didn't want him.

"I had to be firm but I prevailed on that one. Bob said it was my final decision.

"I helped Paul Stoneman get a move to Newcastle Blue Star only because he is friend of mine.

"He is a north-east lad and he still lives up there so I gave him the option of staying or me finding him a club that would cut his travelling and meant he had more time at home with his family. That is why he won't be with us next season."

On the flip side, Cameron also revealed some of the players who definitely would be at the club in the forthcoming UniBond Premier Division campaign.

He said: "We had a lot of last season's players in for a signing session on Thursday.

"We had seven players re-signing for us, a lot more have verbally agreed to stay and are happy with what we are offering.

"Mark Bett, Danny Warner, Mark Hotte and keeper Jon Worsnop were among the ones who were in to put pen to paper.

"It is not just the deals we have tabled it is also the ambition of the club.

"That helps people make up their minds about staying as much as the size of the pay packet.

"Steve Connors, Darren Hockenhull, Paul Collins and Mike Moseley were some of the ones who are away on holiday.

"A lot of the lads took early holidays so that it doesn't interfere with the pre-season preparations."

New signings Jamie Tandy, Stuart Graves and Mark Connolly were unveiled earlier in the week.

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