Departing captain Graham Coughlan has issued an honest appraisal on his final year at Shrewsbury Town by declaring: “I haven’t played well enough.”

The Irishman was one of five players released by Town yesterday as the League Two club revealed their retained list.

And, while Coughlan’s disappointment was clear, he admitted he could have few complaints.

“I’m probably a bit naive to comment,” said the 35-year-old, who had not received official confirmation of the decision as he prepared to board a flight to Dublin early yesterday.

“If it is correct then I’m pretty gutted but I didn’t play well enough last season and you get what you deserve.

“It’s a massive regret for me that Shrewsbury Town didn’t get promotion while I was there.

“Everything’s in place for the club to do that but we were just not good enough.

“To get released is disappointing but that’s football and you move on.”

Coughlan made 89 starts for Town after signing from Rotherham, and has been club captain for the last 15 months after replacing Ben Davies as skipper.

And he insists it is too soon to decide whether he will look to continue his playing career.

“I will take some time to reflect and there see where we are but there is disappointment there at the moment, as there would be with anyone when they are released,” he added.

Coughlan was released alongside experienced midfielder Paul Murray and young trio Jake Simpson, Andre Gray and Andreas Arestidou.

But it’s a different story for another quintet of Shrewsbury players – Dave Hibbert, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Kevin McIntyre, Harry Hooman and Benjamin van den Broek – who will spend the weekend mulling over contract offers to remain with the club.