O’Neil departs – Hugill, Boot to get contracts?
Port Vale have announced that Gary O’Neil and seven more Development squad players will not be offered new contracts. However, the list does not include striker Jordan Hugill nor goalkeeper Ryan Boot.
The development squad players that have been released are:
- Tom Morris
- Doug Price
- Dominic Dell
- Ben Jefford
- Wilson Carvalho
- Cheye Alexander
- Louis Tambini
- Gary O’Neil (above, right)
However, striker Jordan Hugill (who burst into the first-team picture in 2013) and young goalkeeper Ryan Boot have not been included; news which could see the pair offered professional contracts with the club.
Of those released, Gary O’Neil is perhaps the biggest surprise with the former Wolves youth captain impressing in pre-season and being on the fringes of the first-team picture this season. O’Neil also spent a spell on loan at Skrill Premier side Southport.
Winger Wilson Carvalho also enjoyed a number of successful loan spells, as did forward Dominic Dell. The news will also be disappointing for Tom Morris and Doug Price – both defenders have been at the club for a number of years progressing through the junior ranks.
However, this news is not entirely unexpected as the funding of the Development Squad was widely expected to be cut as Vale’s overall player wage bill has been reduced for next season.
OVF would like to wish all the released players the very best of luck in the future and thank them for their efforts on behalf of Port Vale.