Surprises as Knill clears out eight

7:36pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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ALAN Knill released eight players in his first retained list since taking charge at Bury.

There were a few surprise exits too - most notably Bolton-born defender Andy Parrish, who looked to have a promising Shakers career ahead of him after 52 appearances for the club in the last three seasons.

He joined the two longest-serving players, Colin Woodthorpe and Dave Challinor, striker Andy Mangan, keeper Jim Provett and youngsters Ben Leonard, Jordan Stepien and Aaron Grundy on the list of players who would not be offered new deals.

There was better news, however, for Glynn Hurst, Brian Barry-Murphy, Dale Stephens and Cameron Belford, who have all been handed another contract. Nicky Adams and David Buchanan are also mulling over an earlier offer.

Parrish's exit was the major talking point on a day that confirmed Knill's ambition to clear the decks at Gigg Lane.

The 19-year-old had been a regular in the squad, even after the new manager took over from Chris Casper in early February and started a game at Barnet just over three weeks ago.

Plucked from the club's youth system in September 2005, the versatile defender looked to be enjoying his breakthrough season after making 23 appearances before Casper's departure.

Though he made just one more start for the new boss, unfortunately picking up an ankle injury at Underhill, he was a regular contributor from the bench.

Woodthorpe and Challinor bow out having collectively made over 350 appearances for the Shakers over five seasons.

Former Norwich defender Woodthorpe, now 39, has stated that he will now look into coaching as a future career, while 32-year-old Challinor is looking for only the fourth professional club of his 15-year career.

Mangan will be hoping a groin injury - related to an operation he had at Christmas - will clear in time for him to train pre-season.

The 21-year-old Liverpudlian made some memorable cameos from the bench in his time at Bury, scoring five goals. But after he was loaned out early in Knill's tenure to his old club Accrington, he never regained full fitness.

Provett will be hoping for better luck at his next club after a frustrating time in the North West. The Stockton-born keeper was ever-present before Knill's arrival but was quickly replaced by on-loan Darren Randolph.

Bolton-born Grundy had spent time on-loan at FC United this season and had made six first-team appearances.

Leonard and Stepien had also been on loan at Tamworth and Nuneaton Borough respectively but never made the senior grade.