HATTERS BOSS HARFORD BEGINS PLAYER CULL

Luton Town manager Mick Harford has today begun his cull of the Hatters squad by giving free transfers to veteran duo Don Hutchison and Paul Peschisolido and offering free transfers to six more first-team players.

The imminent departures of veteran duo Hutchison and Peschisolido comes as no great surprise, with Hutchison stating a few weeks ago that he had been informed by Harford he would not be offered a new contract, while Peschisolido has been out injured for almost the entire season, having played just a handful of games for the Hatters.

However, the other six players are all still under contract to the Hatters, and so cannot be released but have, instead, been offered free transfers if any clubs wish to sign them. The six offered free transfers are: -

Marlon Beresford
Steve Robinson
Paul McVeigh
Alan Goodall
Richard Jackson
Darren Currie

McVeigh, Currie, Goodall and Jackson were all signed just a year ago by former manager Kevin Blackwell, but they have all disappointed greatly and arguably contributed to Luton Town’s dreadful season, which has culminated in a second successive relegation.

Veteran duo Beresford and Robinson were signed by former boss Mike Newell and both played a huge part in Luton’s 2004-05 League One title-winning season. However, they have since struggled and, with age against them, Harford has decided to deem them surplus to requirements.

Speaking today, Harford said, “Although not an exhaustive list, these are our first significant moves in the regeneration of the squad for next season. We need to reduce numbers in order for us to introduce new talent once 2020 complete the takeover.

"We would like to thank each and every one of the players for their service at the club and wish these players all the very best for the future.”

The futures of the other Hatters players out-of-contract this summer – skipper Keith Keane, veteran forward Paul Furlong and midfielder Richard Langley – have yet to be resolved and it remains to be seen whether they will be a part of Luton’s League Two promotion push for next season.
Story date: Thursday, May 1, 2008