Blackpool CEO outlines the process of retaining out of contract players- with 11 Seasiders still looking for new deals

Earlier this month the club secured the future of CJ Hamilton, with the winger extending his stay at Bloomfield Road until 2026, but the likes of Marvin Ekpiteta, Kenny Dougall and Owen Dale remain without a deal for next season.

Seasiders CEO Julian Winter states every player is different when it comes to this process.

“There’s no defined route for anyone,” he explained.

“It’s a mixed bag of ones you hope to retain and ones you are quite relaxed about. There’s not a fixed timetable, they’re all quite unique.

"Things can happen and then there’s possibilities where we might offer someone a renewal. It’s an ongoing exercise.

"The recruitment guys with Critch (Neil Critchley) and the staff are constantly working on what the squad model looks like, such as how many lads we are promoting out of the development squad.

"There’s a constant flow of information. It’s obviously a changing picture because things alter for different reasons throughout a season.”

The full list of out of contract players is as follows: Richard O’Donnell, Mackenzie Chapman (option for a further year), Marvin Ekpiteta, Doug Tharme, James Husband (option for a further year), Callum Connolly, Kenny Dougall, Sonny Carey (option for a further year), Matty Virtue, Owen Dale and Shayne Lavery.

Meanwhile, the Seasiders also have Jordan Rhodes, Karamoko Demebele and Jensen Weir currently on season-long loans which expire in the summer; unless their parent clubs exercise their recall options in January.