Who would you keep?

[Red hot shot]

With Tommy confirming that he will be speaking to the players this week on their futures, it made me think about who I would offer a new deal to. I've not seen a thread like this yet, so apologies if this has been covered elsewhere.

According to TransferMrkt.co.uk these are the most up to date details;

Under Contract for 2025/26 season
Marcus Dewhurst
Tyler Frost
Cam Hargreaves
Ryan Jones
Luke Jenkins
Josh Barrett

Overall happy with who we have under contract- only question mark is over Luke's fitness.

Meaning the rest of the squad are either out of contract, or will return to their parent clubs.

RETAIN
Ollie Harfield- Injury dependent of course, but was one of our best players when fit
Dejan Tetek- Again, hampered by injuries but so good when available
Jack Barham- Gives his all, 10 league goals again this season so worth keeping.
James Henry- Classy player and would love to keep him
Pat Nash- Want to take a look at him and think he'd be a good enough number 2
Ash Akpan- Seen enough in him to be worth another year
Keane Anderson- As above
Maxi Mullins- As above

RELEASE
Jordi Van Stappershoef- Bit of a luxury having two senior GK's. I'd keep him if he didn't mind sitting on the bench for another year
Christian Maghoma- Hasn't worked out for him
Aaron Jones- May seem harsh but he's lost a bit of pace and I think there are better options out there (Oscar Rutherford at Daggers for example)
Manny Maja- Hampered by injuries and hasn't set the world alight
Kai Corbett- Needs first team football at a lower level
Ollie Bray- Same as Kai
Tariq Uwakwe- Not had a chance but assuming that's for a reason
Lachlan Byrd- Tommy doesn't fancy him clearly and was average when played
Theo Widdrington- I would personally release him. I just feel we can do better and the division he causes amongst the fans doesn't help.
Hady Ghandour- National South standard striker sadly
Olly Scott- Wouldn't be unhappy if he stayed, but again he is the type of player we should be looking to improve on

RETURNING TO PARENT CLUBS
Kwame Thomas- I'd offer him a cheap deal. Good to have a target man option, although one that scores goals would be even better.
Luca Woodhouse- Top priority for a recall IMO.
Will Armitage- Thanks for everything but wouldn't bring him back
Dan Ellision- Thanks for everything but wouldn't bring him back

Curious to hear everyone elses thoughts on this.

[Silasgoldeen]

With Tommy confirming that he will be speaking to the players this week on their futures, it made me think about who I would offer a new deal to. I've not seen a thread like this yet, so apologies if this has been covered elsewhere.

According to TransferMrkt.co.uk these are the most up to date details;

Under Contract for 2025/26 season
Marcus Dewhurst
Tyler Frost
Cam Hargreaves
Ryan Jones
Luke Jenkins
Josh Barrett

Overall happy with who we have under contract- only question mark is over Luke's fitness.

Meaning the rest of the squad are either out of contract, or will return to their parent clubs.

RETAIN
Ollie Harfield- Injury dependent of course, but was one of our best players when fit
Dejan Tetek- Again, hampered by injuries but so good when available
Jack Barham- Gives his all, 10 league goals again this season so worth keeping.
James Henry- Classy player and would love to keep him
Pat Nash- Want to take a look at him and think he'd be a good enough number 2
Ash Akpan- Seen enough in him to be worth another year
Keane Anderson- As above
Maxi Mullins- As above

RELEASE
Jordi Van Stappershoef- Bit of a luxury having two senior GK's. I'd keep him if he didn't mind sitting on the bench for another year
Christian Maghoma- Hasn't worked out for him
Aaron Jones- May seem harsh but he's lost a bit of pace and I think there are better options out there (Oscar Rutherford at Daggers for example)
Manny Maja- Hampered by injuries and hasn't set the world alight
Kai Corbett- Needs first team football at a lower level
Ollie Bray- Same as Kai
Tariq Uwakwe- Not had a chance but assuming that's for a reason
Lachlan Byrd- Tommy doesn't fancy him clearly and was average when played
Theo Widdrington- I would personally release him. I just feel we can do better and the division he causes amongst the fans doesn't help.
Hady Ghandour- National South standard striker sadly
Olly Scott- Wouldn't be unhappy if he stayed, but again he is the type of player we should be looking to improve on

RETURNING TO PARENT CLUBS
Kwame Thomas- I'd offer him a cheap deal. Good to have a target man option, although one that scores goals would be even better.
Luca Woodhouse- Top priority for a recall IMO.
Will Armitage- Thanks for everything but wouldn't bring him back
Dan Ellision- Thanks for everything but wouldn't bring him back

Curious to hear everyone elses thoughts on this.

I was with you most of the way until the Will Armitage comment. If he's available you bite their hand off. Doubt he will be though. Ditto Ellison, although I think he might be the most available.

Otherwise I think AJ is the only area where we see things differently. I agree that he hasn't been all that but in a young squad you want some leaders and I think he's got a bit about him on that front so I'd want him back as a squad player if they can work something out.

[Alex]

Is this thread better than this one? https://www.shotsweb.site/shotsweb/view ... hp?t=58169

[mdg]

Yes, it is, since you ask. There's some commentary/justification included above, rather than just 'release' ...

[Alex]

Okay

[Nobby]

Is this the Trophy Final Motivational Thread?

[Banbury Shot]

Is this the Trophy Final Motivational Thread?

TW started it!

[CH]

Jack Barham has posted that it's "been a pleasure" to play in red and blue.

Hopefully the past tense only refers to the season just finishing and not his career as a whole.

[Giles]

Is Corbett not here for another year? strange to have 1 year deal as we paid money for him innit

[Alex]

Jack Barham has posted that it's "been a pleasure" to play in red and blue.

Hopefully the past tense only refers to the season just finishing and not his career as a whole.

I find it strange that some Shots fans don’t seem to rate him. And someone on another thread said he’s not a natural finisher. Very odd.

He’s decent, knows where the goal is, and I’d definitely keep him!

[Ian Rust]

Hayden Vaughan is on contract for next season.

[Ian Rust]

I’d just look to add Tetek, Akpan, Anderson, Henry and Woodhouse to the 7 on contract. The rest can go. That’ll give 12 players signed and another 12 to sign in the summer.

[Silasgoldeen]

Jack Barham has posted that it's "been a pleasure" to play in red and blue.

Hopefully the past tense only refers to the season just finishing and not his career as a whole.

I find it strange that some Shots fans don’t seem to rate him. And someone on another thread said he’s not a natural finisher. Very odd.

He’s decent, knows where the goal is, and I’d definitely keep him!

he's one of the most popular players surely?

He scores enough goals and scores important goals, so that's always going to be in his favour. But, saying this from a position of admiration and respect, I feel like the Aldershot Town everyone wants might need a better CF. But he's far from a problem.

[Silasgoldeen]

Jack Barham has posted that it's "been a pleasure" to play in red and blue.

Hopefully the past tense only refers to the season just finishing and not his career as a whole.

someone said his wife posted something about how stressful this time of year is with contracts up in the air etc. So who knows? Maybe not him.

[Shots2000]

We’d be mad not to keep Barham.