MICHAEL JACKSON
This was the big one. Would Grayson keep faith with his club captain or would he decide that, at 34, Jacko wouldn't be able to last another season at Championship level? It was the latter, with the boss deciding to replace a player who led the Seasiders to Wembley glory in the play-off final.
It was a ruthless decision, no sign of sentiment – a little like the axing of the popular Rob Edwards a couple of summers ago. Back then many thought Edwards should have been given another season. Grayson was proven right in that Edwards slipped down the divisions. In short, it wasn't a decision that came back to haunt the manager and neither will this one.
Jackson could, and arguably should, have been given another year, even if he was to be mainly used a squad player and to provide leadership within the dressing room and on the training ground. But in truth, for a club trying to prosper in the Championship, a centre back of Jackson's age probably isn't the way forward.
It's a risk and one can only assume that Grayson has a centre back lined up. He's talking like he has, suggesting that a player in his mid 20s who "offers different qualities to Jacko" is on the agenda. If so, that's fine. In the meantime we can only say goodbye to Jackson, a man who came to Blackpool under a cloud (because of his age and his Preston connections) but skippered the team to its most glorious moment in 29 years. He is a top pro, did a fine job for the club and deserves to be remembered kindly.

JOHN HILLS
On paper it's simple. A player who makes one league start cannot expect to be offered a new contract. But the Lytham lad was so unlucky during the course of the year that it was hard not to feel that he deserved another season.
But for the form of Stephen Crainey and Wes Hoolahan on the left, Hills would have been a regular. Anyone who doubts that should look at his record over the previous four years – he has been a Championship stalwart.
As it was Crainey excelled and Hoolahan is undroppable. Neither player suffered an injury (when Crainey did at the end of the season, Hills was injured too). On the odd occasion Hills did step in (one league game, four Cup starts) he didn't let anyone down. Indeed he was man of the match in the league game he started (at Ipswich in February) but was dropped next game because Crainey was available again.
I would have wanted Hills to stay as a squad player at the very least. But then again the lad just wants to play football and it's unfair to keep him at a club where he isn't guaranteed that. So for Hills's sake this was the right decision. Chances are he'll go elsewhere and show everyone what he's capable of.

MICHAEL FLYNN
Grayson claimed this was probably the hardest decision of all. Flynn is a big character around the dressing room, at the heart of all the banter and well liked by the lads. Signed from Gillingham last summer, he had to wait a long time for a chance. But he didn't sulk, got his head down and nailed down a place when Keith Southern got injured at the start of December – stepping in for infamous win at Preston.
He had a good run in the team after that but it was quite clear who Grayson's favourite was. When Southern regained fitness, he came straight back in.
Because of that it was perhaps no surprise that Flynn was released. He didn't quite do enough to become first choice midfielder and in the end that counted against him.
A close call, but with Fox, Southern and – hopefully – Jorgensen all at the club next summer, Grayson felt he could afford to try and get someone in who would be truly competing for a first team place, rather than warming the sub's bench.

KEIGAN PARKER
A real shame in many ways because when Parker was on song he was a delight to watch. He also scored that wonder goal at Wembley: that moment alone has forever etched his name into Blackpool folklore.
The Scot got a lot of bad press in his four years at the club and some of it he did bring on himself. But I always found him a very decent bloke and the only frustration for me was that he didn't perform as I'd hoped he might in the Championship.
Clearly the time is right for him to move on but I think Seasiders fans should applaud what he's given the club rather than cast him in the role of villain.

ANDY WELSH
Looked pretty good when he first arrived from Toronto, a tricky winger in the mould of Wes Hoolahan. But he wasn't as good as Wes and so it was clear Welsh wouldn't get a chance – unless, of course, Hoolahan got injured. That didn't happen and so Welsh had to sit on the bench and, towards the end, in the stand.
Unfortunate few months for him and he'll be relieved to go elsewhere. A capable player who should get another club.

THE OTHERS
Phil Doughty: Hailed as the next big thing before a terrible break of his leg. Bravely battled back but at his age he needs football. He won't get it at Blackpool so best he looks elsewhere.
Marcus Bean: A player I really liked when he arrived, and still rate. Only 23, he will do a very good job in League One or Two.
Paul Tierney: Never got going after signing from Livingston two years ago and his release is no surprise.
Lewis Edge: A shame because he's a great lad who made a handful of appearances for Pool and always did well (Bristol City, Leicester). Needs to be playing though, so again for his own sake best he moves on.
Matt Lawlor: A grafter and a player with talent, but always on the fringes and now has the chance to make a fresh start while he's still young.
Phil Marsh: A strange signing but the club clearly saw something in him. Didn't work out though and another looking for alternative employment.