Gregan, Hughes, Kalala, Maher leave Latics

FINAL ACT: Sean Gregan receives a £300 cheque for charity after being named the joint winner (with Chris Taylor) of the Chronicle’s Star Man award, sponsored by Leesfield Developments. Gregan (centre) and Taylor shared the highest number of man-of-the-match votes during the season. New manager Dave Penney (left) is pictured along with Chronicle sports writer Tony Bugby.

STRIKER Lee Hughes and midfield players Jean-Paul Kalala and Kevin Maher have been released by Athletic.

They join captain Sean Gregan, Mark Crossley and Andy Liddell in not being offered new deals by the club.

New manager Dave Penney is still in negotiations with Mark Allott, Matty Wolfenden and Stefan Stam about possible new contracts.

Gregan yesterday bcame the first player to become a casualty of the end-of-season clear-out at Boundary Park.

The 35-year-old out-of-contract defender was informed by Dave Penney he wouldn;t be offered a new deal.

Penney is now clearing the deckcs in advance of rebuilding the squad.

Midfield-man Allott had previously been offered a one-year extension to his contact and Athletic were waiting to see if he accepted their terms.

Gregan joins goalkeepers Mark Crossley and Josh Bell and midfielder Andy Liddell in being released, while striker Lee Hughes will move on next month when his contract expires.

Penney has rejected reports that he is planning a large-scale raid on former club Darlington.

He said: “Everyone assumes I will be going after Darlington players as they have all been made available, but that is not necessarily the case.

“We are not going to rush our recruitment as there are lots of players out of contract and we will pick the best we can afford.

“We will have a good look round and select the players we need for the areas we have already identified.”

It is understood Gregan was the highest-earning player on the staff and that had a bearing on the decision to release him.

Penney paid tribute to the big defender, who signed from Leeds in October 2006, initially on loan.

He said: “Sean is a great professional. He has done well for this football club and we wish him all the best for the future.

“But I want to freshen things up and put my own stamp on the team. I am looking for young, hungry, fit and athletic players.”

Penney confirmed he will be having talks today with Martin Gray and Andy Collett with a view to them becoming his No 2 and goalkeeping coach, respectively.

Gray and Collett were sacked by the administrator at Darlington last week and Penney is keen to be reunited with them at Boundary Park.