Roberts shown the door by Wrexham

By RICHARD WILLIAMS

07 May 2008

NEIL ROBERTS could not hide the disappointment today after being told he was not being retained at his hometown club.

Club captain Roberts was one of eight players yesterday told by manager Brian Little that they were not being offered new contracts.

As well as striker-come midfielder Roberts, Chris Llewellyn, Danny Williams, Mike Carvill, Michael Jones, Jamie Reed, Alex Darlington, and on-loan Robbie Garrett, have been told they have no future at The Racecourse by Little who continues to wield the axe.

Only Carl Tremarco and Matty Done have been offered new deals, while Steve Evans will hold talks with Little tomorrow.

And local lad Roberts, who came through the ranks at Wrexham where he has spent two spells, said the decision was a huge shock.

"It has come as a massive shock and a big blow," said Roberts today.

"When you are club captain, and have played the most games this season than I have in any season, barring a couple of bad performances I feel I have done alright.

"Especially when you consider how many changes have been made to the team - you can't form any sort of partnership with another player.

"But I have still kept my place in the team and as captain, and I thought there would be something there for me.

"I am really gutted. It is a club close to my heart, for obvious reasons, and it will always be that way.

"I am upset but I wish the club and the fans all the best for the future. I am sure they will bounce back from relegation and I genuinely hope they do."

Roberts, who rejoined Wrexham in the summer of 2006 from Doncaster Rovers where his brother Steve now plays, said no-one could dispute that he had given a lot back to the club.

"I jumped at the chance of rejoining Wrexham," said Roberts. "I came back because of my family but also my relationship with Denis Smith and Kevin Russell was a major factor.

"A number of things were said to me and I had assurances from the club that they had the same ambitions as me - but unfortunately I don't think they did.

"People say you should never come back and it has gone competely opposite to how I hoped it would. Maybe you need to take a step backwards to go forward.

"The club has gone through massive change over the years but I have always given 110 per cent.

"I am not bitter but I would like to think I took on the role of club captain and looked out for the younger players, and I also coached at the academy

"I put a lot back in. But the game has changed. There is not a lot of loyalty out there but I have given a lot back to the club."
Responding to Little's decision, Roberts added: "It is all about opinion - and this is just one person's opinion. If he feels it can benefit the club that's his decision but he lives by his decisions."

Danny Williams has also seen a second stint at hometown club Wrexham come to a premature end and the midfielder questioned Little's decision to release him and other players.

"The manager has made his decision, but I think it is the wrong decision," said Williams. "And I think the same about his decision on other people.

"I can jump on the bandwagon and slag people off, and maybe I would have in the past, but I am 29 now. I am just gutted.

"I am a little bit angry but I have to get on with it.

"I still think I am good enough to play in the Football League, regardless of what anyone else says."

Williams was disappointed that his commitment to Wrexham's relegation dogfight was recently questioned on a fans' website, although he praised Reds' fans in general.

"The majority of Wrexham fans have been great to me," said Williams.

"But some people on that website don't know a lot about football, saying things that were rubbish. It someone does not rate me, I can handle that.

"What hurts me most is people starting threads about me not caring after we lost at Shrewsbury, and saying I was in a pub having a laugh.

"Someone questionned my desire to play for Wrexham and that has never an issue. Questioning my commitment is out of order. This is my hometown club and will always be close to my heart."

Williams, who missed five months of the present campaign after undergoing surgery on a long standing back problem, added: "There are some good lads at Wrexham, and I have enjoyed my time here, though abviously this last season has been a bad one.

"There has not been much I can do as I have been injured for five months and that has been the worst thing.

"Going down was the worst thing but I wish the club all the best and hope they bounce back."

Striker Llewellyn also returned to Wrexham for a second spell two years ago but has been continually linked with a move to Peterborough.

Rumoured to be interesting other clubs, Llewellyn said being released meant he did not have to make the difficult decision of whether to stay.

"I half expected it as the gaffer said he was doing me a bit of a favour. He said there were a few clubs interested in me," said Llewellyn. "There is always a bit of uncertainty but we will have to see what happens.

"I suppose in a way it helps me. If I'd been offered something I would have had a difficult decision to make.

"There would have been a lot of factors to consider but the decision has been taken out of my hand and I don't have to worry about it.

"But I still have to find another club."

Llewellyn has missed only a handful of matches during two spells at The Racecourse and he was bitterly disappointed with this season's relegation.

"I am quite lucky that I don't really get injured and that I can play in a few positions," added Llewellyn.

"I have enjoyed my time with Wrexham, although it has been unfortunate what has happened this year. I just wish it could have ended on a sweeter note but I wish the club all the best, and I hope they bounce back."