Barnsley have today released the names of the seven out of contract players they have offered new deals to, but one of them, goalkeeper Luke Steele is poised to reject the club’s advances and end his five year spell at Oakwell.
Along with Steele, Martin Cranie, Tomasz Cywka, Bobby Hassell, Tom Kennedy, Jim McNulty and Jason Scotland will all be offered new contracts. It means Hassell will enter his tenth year at the club.
Steele meanwhile, who has made 178 appearances for the club since his match winning debut at Liverpool in the FA Cup in 2008 is set to snub the Reds offer to seek a new challenge.
There could even be a chance to play in the Premier League for the former Manchester United trainee with newly promoted Hull City poised to pounce. The Tigers had Fulham’s David Stockdale on loan this season but have baulked at the London club’s £4m asking price to turn it into a permanent deal and a free agent in Steele would prove a more than able alternative.
As we revealed on TykesMad yesterday, Stephen Foster, Rob Edwards, Matty Done and John Rooney will all be released.
Former captain Foster, 32 ends a six-year stay at the club and last night took to Twitter to thank the fans for their support since his arrival from Burnley in 2007.
He tweeted:
To say I'm touched is an understatement. I can't thank BFC fans enough. U have been so very kind to me and my family... We have shared some fantastic memories which will stay with me for a long time. I hope that it was obvious how much the club meant to me.. Wishing everyone the best for the future and many more happy memories #ureds