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Avenue are preparing to release a number of their title-winning squad

Avenue boss Dave Cameron is expected to release up to nine players now the campaign has ended and an announcement is expected on Monday.

Cameron finalised his retained list following Saturday's final game of the season but he is yet to make the names on it, and the ones who have not been offered new terms for next season, public.

"The players have done well for the club this season, before I got here as well as since I took over, but you can't stand still in this game or you get left behind," he said in the wake of the weekend defeat.

Avenue had taken on Premier Division winners Fleetwood Town for the Peter Swailes Memorial Shield, the UniBond League's community shield equivalent. The home club won 2-1 but Avenue pushed them all the way.

"We should have won the game, no doubt about it," said an upbeat Cameron.

"We absolutely peppered Fleetwood in their own back yard. Anyone going into that ground who didn't know the teams would have thought it was us who had won the Premier.

"Our skipper Steve Connors was superb in midfield and ran the whole show. It was disappointing to lose the game but I felt more for the lads. They deserved to come away with another trophy.

"We had reached our objective, which was gaining promotion by winning Division One North.

"It was hard for the boys to lift themselves for the two games that followed because although they were both for a cup, the team had not battled to get there. They were games that were dropped on us.

"Don't get me wrong, we would have liked to win them and add the Chairman's Cup and the Peter Swailes Shield to our title trophy.

"I want to win every game. There is no such thing as a meaningless fixture or even a pre-season friendly to me. It wasn't to be and we were beaten in both finals but, like I said, they were fixtures pencilled in only because we won our league.

"It has been difficult sorting the players into two groups, those who are staying and those who are going, but it is a job every manager has to do. The club are holding their awards night on Friday, so I'm letting them all enjoy it because they have all contributed.

"We will be telling the players about their futures on Saturday. I am then expecting some news regarding my transfer targets on Sunday, so I should be able to make an exclusive announcement to the T&A on Monday.

"The supporters will be very excited about the players I already know will be joining us."

Thackley manager John Boyle has confirmed that his number two Sean Regan will be staying at the club next season.

The renowned and respected coach was almost poached by a Football League outfit when news originally broke that he was to be added to the coaching staff at Dennyfield.

Regan was working with the Academies at Sheffield United and neighbours Wednesday at the end of the season before the one just finished.

In order to gain his UEFA A licence he had to work with an open-age side and he chose Thackley because it was close to his heart as a native of Bradford.

Scunthorpe United felt they could tempt him away after hearing of his appointment and made him an offer but he rebuffed their advances.

"Sean will be here next season, definitely," said Boyle after Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to title winners Winterton Rangers.

"We are looking forward to working with this squad of players again, as it has been a very encouraging last six or seven weeks. The players have come on a lot and the performances have been very positive.

"It was a bit of a disappointing final game. I know Winterton were champions and had a strong side out but we underperformed.

"In the second half we didn't get a kick of the ball. I'm glad we don't have possession stats at our level because it would have made depressing reading on Saturday."

3:27pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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