League Two: Newport County announce summer leavers

The Exiles have announced their retained and released list with Haynes heading for the exit along with strikers Alex Fisher and Ryan Hillier, midfielder Courtney Senior and defender Louis Hall.

Club great Padraig Amond confirmed his exit earlier on Wednesday after spending the season on loan at Exeter, helping the Grecians to promotion.

County have offered a deal to in-demand League Two golden boot winner Telford and also Baker-Richardson, who formed a strong little and large partnership.

Kevin Ellison has been offered a coaching role

Veteran midfielder Kevin Ellison will have to hang up his boots at the age of 43 if he is to stay in Newport in a coaching role.

Haynes has gone after making 123 appearances for County after arriving from Shrewsbury in 2019.

The 26-year-old battled Aaron Lewis for starts down the left and his departure will lead to manager James Rowberry bringing in fresh blood.

Fisher arrived on trial last summer following his departure from Exeter and made 25 appearances, with the winner at Tranmere in August the targetman’s only League Two goal.

Senior was a high-profile signing in 2021 but he ruptured knee ligaments shortly after arriving from Colchester and the attacking midfielder leaves without making an appearance.

"The club would like to place on record its thanks to all of the players due to leave the club and wish them all the best with their future careers," read a County statement.

County have 12 senior players under contract for next season – goalkeepers Joe Day and Nick Townsend, full-backs Cameron Norman and Aaron Lewis, central defenders Mickey Demetriou, James Clarke and Priestley Farquharson, defender/midfielders Matty Dolan and Scot Bennett, midfielders Robbie Willmott and James Waite and forward Lewis Collins.

Loanees Finn Azaz (Aston Villa), Ollie Cooper (Swansea), Jake Cain (Liverpool), Rob Street (Crystal Palace) and Timmy Abraham (Fulham) have returned to their parent clubs.

Defender Josh Pask spent the second half of the season on loan from Coventry but has been released by the Championship side and County are keen to keep him.

Young midfielder Lewys Twamley has a deal as a development squad player and the club have exercised an option on defender Joe Woodiwiss’ contract after he spent the second half of the season on loan at Merthyr.

Professional deals have been offered to goalkeeper Evan Ovendale, defender Harrison Bright and midfielder Jack Karadogan, who will be part of the development squad.

Aneurin Livermore, who impressed after being called into the senior team by Michael Flynn at the start of the season, heads the list of released scholars.

The tenacious midfielder made his debut in the Carabao Cup win at Ipswich Town and featured in three League Two games.

DECISIONS: County boss James Rowberry

Players retained

Joe Day

Nick Townsend

Cameron Norman

James Clarke

Priestley Farquharson

Robbie Willmott

Matty Dolan

Aaron Lewis

Scot Bennett

Lewis Collins

James Waite

Mickey Demetriou

Lewys Twamley (development squad)

Contracts offered

Dom Telford

Courtney Baker-Richardson

Contract Options exercised

Joe Woodiwiss (development squad)

Professional contracts offered to academy scholars who will form part of the development squad

Evan Ovendale

Harrison Bright

Jack Karadogan

Club remains in dialogue with
Kevin Ellison (in relation to a coaching/development role)

Players leaving the club

Ryan Haynes

Alex Fisher

Courtney Senior

Padraig Amond

Louis Hall

Ryan Hillier

Loan players returning to parent clubs

Finn Azaz

Ollie Cooper

Jake Cain

Rob Street

Josh Pask

Timmy Abraham

Scholars leaving the club

Charlie Bullock

Iestyn Evans

Dixon Kabongo

Aneurin Livermore

Zac Maher

Ethan Morgan

Kian Pritchard

Callum Ryan-Phillips