Ryan Young leaves as AFC Telford let three go
AFC Telford United goalkeeper Ryan Young today ended a seven-year spell at the club by mutual consent with Dan Preston and Martyn Jackson also released.
The 34-year-old will seek a team closer to home for next season after relocating in December to the Isle of Wight, from his previous base in Cannock.
The Bucks now search for a new No 1 with some big boots to fill through Young, who made 367 Telford appearances after joining from Hednesford Town in 2007.
He said: "I have had seven fantastic years here. It's the biggest club in non-league football and still is, in my eyes. Once you are at Telford, you never want to leave.
"It was my call, I made the decision and I wanted to give the club time to get the best replacement they can, but I didn't realise how hard it was going to be for me.
"It hasn't sunk in yet but I had a lovely phone call from Lee Carter, the managing director. He's been there longer than I have."
Carter added: "Ryan has been a wonderful servant to the club. It's hard to find words to describe how I feel about his loyalty and the friendship that I have enjoyed with him.
"It will take a long while to get used to not having him and his family around every weekend. I'm sure supporters, in fact the whole club, will express their admiration for him.
"To be remembered in the same vein as the likes of Kevin Charlton and Bobby Irvine is testament to his qualities, not just as a player, but also as a man."
Following Young out of the exit door is second longest-serving player Preston, the centre-back spending the last three years at the New Bucks Head.
The 22-year-old has been told his contract will not be renewed for next season, despite breaking back into the side after loan spells at Barrow and Stourbridge.
Teenage midfielder Jackson, 19, one made first-appearance for the club, as a substitute for the last 10 minutes of 1-1 draw at home to Solihull Moors in August.
The former Manchester United and Burnley youngster was farmed out to Stafford Rangers, Skelmersdale United and Witton Albion, where he finished the campaign.
Meanwhile, Telford will host FC United of Manchester for a pre-season friendly on Saturday August 2, in what's expected to be a bumper gate between two well-supported clubs.
