Fifteen players leave Bolton Wanderers F.C. after relegation

Saturday, May 19, 2012 

The Reebok Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers
Image: Mark Hammond.

A total of fifteen players have left Bolton Wanderers F.C. after the club was relegated from England's Premier League at the end of the season. Eleven of the players were released after their contracts expired while Nigel Reo-Coker activated a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave the club. A further three players ended their loan spells and returned to their parent clubs.

The players who have been released from the club are Ivan Klasnic, Gretar Steinsson, Ricardo Gardner, Paul Robinson, Robbie Blake, Tope Obadeyi, Sean Davis, Mark Connolly, Rhys Bennett, Dino Fazlic, and Tom Eckersley.

Striker Ivan Klasnic had one of the higher wages at the club and his departure was expected regardless of whether the club was relegated or not. He said on his website "I hope they get promoted next year to the Premier League because this team belong to the Premiership. I'll leave the club but want to say thank you for three years. I'll keep Bolton in my heart."

Jamaican Ricardo Gardner, on the list of released players, had been with the club for fourteen years and manager Owen Coyle commented personally on his release. He said "One of those [players released] is Ricardo Gardner, who has been with the football club for 14 years. He has offered incredible service to Bolton Wanderers and I'd like to personally thank him for all of his efforts, particularly during the time I have worked with him."

Nigel Reo-Coker left the club on his own accord after activating a release clause in his contract. Coyle said "I was clear with Nigel. I asked him straight away whether he wanted to be a part of what we are going to do next season. He was honest and up front with us, because that is the type of man he is, and said that he wanted to exercise the clause in his contract, and so we wish him well."

The other three players to leave Wanderers are Tuncay, Ryo Miyachi, and Dedryck Boyata who all spent time with Bolton under loan agreements. The three players have returned to their parent clubs.

However, striker Kevin Davies has a new contract for one year, while defender Sam Ricketts added a two year extension to his contract. Veteran goal keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and Zat Knight are still currently in contract negotiations.

Coyle said in a statement on behalf of the club that "I would also like to thank the players that are leaving the club for their work at Bolton Wanderers. We wish them all well."

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Ivan Klasnic leaves after three years with the club

Another example

Nigel Reo-Coker activated a release clause in his contract

Defender Gretar Steinsson is one of many to be released

Tuncay's loan spell expired at the end of the season

As did Ryo Miyaichi's

and Dedryck Boyata's

Jussi Jaaskelainen is still in neogotiations over a new deal

Zat Knight's Bolton future isn't certain yet

Kevin Davies has signed a new one year deal

Sources

• "Bolton Wanderers allow 15 players to leave after relegation" — BBC Sport, May 18, 2012
• "Bolton release 12 players as relegation from Premier League bites, but Kevin Davies signs new deal" — The Daily Telegraph, May 18, 2012
• Tom McKeown. "Kevin Davies signs one-year contract extension at Bolton as player exodus begins" — Goal.com, May 18, 2012
• "Club Statement On Player Contracts" — Bolton Wanderers Football Club, May 18, 2012
• "Klasnic confirms exit" — Eat, Sleep, Sport, May 16, 2012