Barnsley head coach Lee Johnson has begun his rebuilding job at Barnsley by releasing six players, the most notable of which is club captain Martin Cranie.
The 28 year old has been at Oakwell since August 2012, making 122 appearances, most of which came in the Championship.
However Barnsley have decided to release him when his contract expires this summer, mainly due to the size of his wages which were more in line with Championship sides.
Joining Cranie out of the door is fellow centre half Jean-Yves Mvoto. The 26-year-old Frenchman has become a bit of a cult hero during his two-year stay and even netted crucial goals against Charlton and Nottingham Forest in the Reds ultimately fruitless 2013-2014 battle against relegation. Mvoto has managed only 16 appearances this season however, the last of which came in March.
The other four names on the list are all forwards, including two of Danny Wilson’s summer signings a year ago. 23-year-old Kane Hemmings arrived in England following a goal-laden 2013-2014 when he netted 24 times for Cowdenbeath as they won promotion to the Scottish Premiership. The former Rangers youngster has found life much harder south of the border, scoring just five times in 28 appearances for Barnsley.
Another much heralded summer acquition is also out of the door. Leroy Lita arrived at Oakwell following a career, which saw him, score 112 goals for nine clubs and he managed to net in his first two league games for Barnsley. But the 30 year old failed to score thereafter and spent the final two months of the season on loan at Notts County.
Academy graduates Nana Boakye-Yiadom and Rhys Oates complete the list. At the start of the season Nana was believed to have a big future at Oakwell and appeared in the first two games, against Crawley in the league and Crewe in the League Cup but managed just a further two appearances whilst Oates, who spent time out on loan at Grimsby and Chester this season featured in nine Barnsley matches after Christmas but has been deemed surplus to requirements.
Johnson has also transfer listed two players, both Wilson acquitions. Milan Lalkovic only arrived in January whilst James Bailey has suffered an injury-hit campaign and are both free to leave if they can find clubs.
The club confirmed today that they are in discussions with out of contract Lewin Nyatanga to try and extend the Welshman’s stay whilst 19-year-old George Maris who featured in the final two games of the season has been offered a new contract.
Finally Bailey Gooda and Matthew Templeton will be offered Third Year Scholarship terms.