Huckerby among nine players released

[Natty]

Nine Norwich City players have not been offered new contracts and are free agents the Club announced today.

As Manager Glenn Roeder's plans to overhaul the City squad gather momentum, the following players have been told they will not be offered contracts for next season:

Darren Huckerby

Rossi Jarvis

Ryan Jarvis

Bally Smart

Patrick Bexfield

Andrew Cave-Brown

Steven Arnold

Matthew Halliday

Juan Velasco

The Club will not be commenting at this stage on the position of other players out of contract at the end of the season and will make any further announcements as and when there is news to report.

City boss Glenn Roeder said: "I have made it pretty clear after Sunday's game and for several weeks now that I believe major work is required on the squad in the build-up to next season and beyond. These decisions are part of that work.

"My sincere thanks and the thanks of everyone at the Club go out to all of the players for their work for Norwich City. Good luck to all of them in their future careers."

[CarrowGirl]

This is awful,i really feel like getting my money back for nxt years season tkt,As usual the club arent bothered about us fans again.Over 19000 renewed their season tkts in Jan not knowing what division we'd be in nxt year.


Huckerby clearly loves it herehe must be devasted really

[Natty]

yep i know wat u mean, must be devasting for all the players, looks like he wants a clear out.

[CarrowGirl]

i cant see no reason why they couldnt of offerered him at least one more year.

Huckerby said only last week that he wouldnt go to another Championship club as he would never play against Norwich City,and he won't as he's true to his word

[Alex]

I bet he would go to another Championship club, but that he'd just request not to play against Norwich. How a manager would react to that though i don't know. I'm afraid loyalty doesn't pay the bills.

[Forza's Blind Optimists (CPFC)]

May 6, 2008 10:00:19 GMT -1 CarrowGirl said:

i cant see no reason why they couldnt of offerered him at least one more year.

Huckerby said only last week that he wouldnt go to another Championship club as he would never play against Norwich City,and he won't as he's true to his word

DH is due at our beckenham training ground tomorrow for a medical......

[Natty]

Glenn Roeder says he had to think long and hard before deciding not to offer Darren Huckerby a new contract.

The winger has been released after four-and-a-half years at Carrow Road, during which he scored 48 goals.

The Norwich manager has told BBC Radio Norfolk rumours that he and Huckerby did not get on were wide of the mark.

"Contrary to reports of negative people who would like to drive a wedge between myself and Hucks, we got on very well," said Roeder.

Huckerby, twice named Norwich City's player of the year, was a favourite with the Carrow Road faithful.

Glenn Roeder paid tribute to the 32-year-old's contribution to since joining the club in 2003, but said he would not have been guaranteed a place in the starting line-up next season.

Don't be surprised if we see Hucks around the training ground next season


"I've targeted one or two exceptionally talented players that play in a similar position to Hucks that are maybe five, six or seven years younger," said Roeder

"It simply came down to that.

"If I didn't think I could guarantee Darren Huckerby a starting position every week when he was fit, I am sure he is not the sort of person that would want to hang around if he wasn't starting every game," the City boss added.

Huckerby has been linked with a move to America to play in MLS, which Roeder believes would be a good idea.

"I told Darren, if you're going to have regrets in life, regret doing things, don't regret not taking an opportunity, and he liked that thought."

Roeder added that Huckerby would be still welcome to use Norwich City's facilities.

"Don't be surprised if we see Hucks around the training ground next season and we look forward to that," Roeder said.