Gillingham manager Martin Allen has decided to let Barry Fuller, Dean Morgan and Ryan Gilligan leave the club without offers of deals.
The trio had been training with the club and had played parts of pre-season with a view to earning deals at Priestfield, but have been told they are surplus to requirements.
Fuller played the last half an hour of the pre-season game against Royal Engineers at Priestfield on Wednesday night and had been hoping to be offered a new deal.
However, after having signed for Gillingham in January 2008, the 27 year old from Ashford has been allowed to leave the club after making 151 appearances.
Fuller was also captain of the side in his time at Priestfield, but injury restricted him to just ten appearances for the side last season.
Gills boss Martin Allen explained his thinking, telling the club’s official website:
“This morning I had a good chat with Barry Fuller and we have decided not to offer Barry a further year with us at the present moment. However the door is not closed to Barry for sure as I feel it is only right to let him give him an opportunity to find a club that can give him a contract now for security for his family, but at the present moment we are not in a position to offer him a contract as he still needs to do more work to get up to top level.
“Barry has not missed a training session, he has not missed a game and he is a diamond bloke to have around the club but I have to make these decisions. I had a good honest chat with Barry and in a few weeks’ time if he hasn’t got something and we haven’t got what we want then the door will still be left open for Barry Fuller to return here. He can continue to train with us to help him keep fit as I realise and respect that he has been a good servant to this club.”
Meanwhile, Fuller reacted to the news by tweeting:
“Sad to be leaving the gills after 4yrs. Some great memories and meet some great people. Thanks to the people who supported me in that time.”
“Good luck to all the Boys and everyone at gills next season. Wish them all the best.”
“With regards to Dean Morgan he has done very well but I think he was too similar to what we have currently got. He has trained every day, had an excellent attitude but at the moment I don’t feel we can take that one any further.”
Meanwhile, Allen has already named his side to play Ebbsfleet United at Stonbridge Road on Saturday afternoon with a French defender coming into the starting line up as a trialist.
The Gills will line up like this:
Nelson, Fish, Davies, Trialist, Martin, Payne, Dack, Lee, Whelpdale, Strevens, Kedwell.
Subs: Forecast, Essam, Frampton, Evans, Montrose, Jackman, Birchall, Allen.
Kick off at Stonebridge Road is 3pm. and if you can’t be there, follow us on twitter or facebook for all the latest during the game.
Tickets cost £8 for adults and £5 for concessions and can be bought at the gate.