Gillingham retained list: five players free to leave and some decisions yet to be made

Barry Fuller is among five players to be told by Gillingham that they can leave the club this summer, after manager Steve Evans announced his retained list on Thursday.

Fuller, 35, made 79 appearances, scoring one goal, during his second spell at Priestfield, but could be on the hunt for a new club after being deemed surplus to requirements.

He has, however, triggered a one-year contract extension from his previous deal, meaning he is technically under contract for the 2020/21 season.

Released

Those who have been released include Ben Pringle, who experienced Championship football with Evans whilst at Rotherham, and Ouss Cisse, who made just two Football League appearances after signing from MK Dons last summer.

2017/18 Player of the Season Mark Byrne, who has just come to the end of his fourth campaign with the club, albeit with a long-term injury after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage against Sunderland back in December, is also set to depart.

He has, however, been invited back for pre-season training to try and earn a contract.

Defender Lee Hodson has been given permission to find another club.

New Deals

The Gills have not confirmed any new contract offers, and are awaiting confirmation of the commencement of next season from the EFL before making any decisions.

Those still awaiting decisions are captain Max Ehmer, forwards Brandon Hanlan and Mikael Mandron, midfielder Regan Charles-Cook and youngster Henry Woods.

Ehmer has been at the club since joining on loan in 2014, signing a permanent deal that summer. He has notched up over 250 appearances for the Gills, and became club captain for a second time in the summer of 2019, after wearing the armband towards the back end of the 2016/17 season.

23-year-old Hanlan has been at the club for the last two years, scoring 16 goals in 84 games during that time. Evans is a fan, but the youngster will have to wait a bit longer for a decision on a new contract.

Mandron signed for the club on a free last summer after a trial, and went on to score six goals in 28 games during the season. He, along with second-year pro Woods, will also have to wait a bit longer for a decision on a new deal.

Contracted

Still under contract at the club for the 2020/21 season are John Akinde, Jack Bonham, Hodson, Stuart O’Keefe, Connor Ogilvie, Jack Tucker, Joe Walsh and Matty Willock.

Evans now has the summer to rebuild his squad ahead of the new campaign. He and his team will be looking to improve on their 10^th place finish in 2019/20, confirmed on Tuesday following a club vote to end the season on points per game.