Cull of out-of-contract players sees May stamp his authority on Falkirk

Published on Sunday 28 June 2009 23:14

FALKIRK have announced a number of high-profile departures as new manager Eddie May stamps his own authority on the squad he inherited from John Hughes.

The Bairns had 14 players coming out of contract this summer but Hughes had made it clear he wanted to hang on to all but Dean Holden and the retiring Steven Pressley of those who featured in the first-team last season.

However, it now appears that striker Carl Finnigan, who is set to pen a new contract this week, and goalkeeper Robert Olejnik, who has agreed a two-year deal, could be the only players to remain for next season.

May has told Patrick Cregg, Kevin McBride and Dani Mallo, who could all be bound for Hibs, and Steve Lovell that he does not want to retain their services, whilst Gerard Aafjes is returning to his native Netherlands for family reasons.

With Michael Higdon having already signed for St Mirren, and the future of Arnau Riera unknown, May and assistants Pressley and Alex Smith – who were unveiled last week – face a race against time to piece together a squad for the club's European bow against Liechtenstein outfit FC Vaduz on 16 July.

The former youth coach expects a number of trialists to join up with his threadbare squad following their return for pre-season training on Wednesday.

However, it is clear that the former Hibs and Motherwell midfielder, who has been linked with a possible loan move for Rangers defender Andy Webster, is determined to engineer a fresh start with his sweeping changes to the squad.

He said: "We wish all of the players every success in the future and thank them for their contribution to the football club. I have had extremely positive discussions with Gerard Aafjes this week but he is unable to commit to returning to Scotland at this stage due to family circumstances in Holland.

"An agreement with Carl Finnigan has been reached and I am delighted that Carl will be with us again next season.

"I'm pretty confident that come the first league game we'll have the players who will do well for Falkirk. There'll be a couple in but six or seven signings by the European game? That's not realistic."

Some of May's decisions may have come as a surprise but the 41-year-old believes he has made the right decisions, particularly in allowing injury-hit Lovell to leave after the striker experienced difficulties in his training regime last term.

He added: "I've watched Steve over the last couple of seasons, and I just don't think it was appropriate to offer him another deal.

"You have to train to play, or it will eventually catch up with you. You can cause yourself problems if you say to a boy he'll play every week but only train twice a week."

Lovell joined Falkirk last summer, leaving Aberdeen on a free transfer after struggling to establish himself as a first-choice regular at Pittodrie under the Pittodrie side's former manager Jimmy Calderwood. Lovell played 33 games for Falkirk last season and contributed ten goals.

Holden's exit did not come as a surprise and he has signed a two-year deal with English League Two side Shrewsbury Town.

The 29-year-old was told by Hughes before his departure for Easter Road that he would not be offered a new contract with the Bairns, and the former Bolton Wanderers and Oldham Athletic player has moved quickly to seal a return to his native England.

Shrewsbury Town manager Paul Simpson said: "I am delighted we have managed to secure Dean's signature.

"He is a very versatile player who can play all across the back four and I am hoping that he will cement the right back position and make that his own.

"I feel we have got a player who will be a real asset to the squad."