United’s released players - a review

Oxford Mail: Football player image for Damian Batt

Damian Batt – 177 appearances for United, 3 goals.

Of the dozen released, the right back has made the most appearances for United.

The 28-year-old signed from Grays Athletic in January 2009 and was part of the U’s side which won the Blue Square Premier play-off final at Wembley the following season.

Batt is one of the more surprising players released – only three players in the squad started more league games than him this season.

 

Oxford Mail: Football player image for Tony Capaldi

Tony Capaldi – 39 apps, 0 goals.

Injuries hindered the former Northern Ireland international during his two-year spell at United.

A serious back problem cropped up just weeks after joining in May 2011, which meant the left back did not make his debut until the final game of last season.

The 31-year-old made 38 appearances in this campaign, playing in a variety of positions.

 

Oxford Mail: Football player image for Tom Craddock

Tom Craddock – 88 apps, 28 goals.

The 26-year-old striker finished this season as United’s second highest scorer with 12 goals, including four in the 5-0 win against Accrington Stanley in October.

He scored 15 goals in his first season after arriving from Luton Town in August 2010, but injuries wrecked almost his entire 2011/12 campaign.

 

Oxford Mail: Football player image for Liam Davis

Liam Davis – 73 apps, 3 goals.

The left back made an excellent start to his United career, making 45 appearances in the 2011/12 season.

His progress was halted by a groin injury which required two operations last summer, keeping the 26-year-old out until November.

Several minor niggles followed, but when fit he remained United’s first choice left back in the second half of the season.

 

Oxford Mail:

Michael Duberry – 50 apps, 3 goals.

United’s biggest name, but after a season dogged by injury the release of the ex-Chelsea and Leeds defender was not a big surprise.

He was key to the side’s strong defensive record after forming an excellent central defensive partnership with Jake Wright last season.

Duberry did well to return after neck surgery last summer, but the defender, who turns 38 in October, started just nine league games this season.

 

Oxford Mail: Football player image for Simon Heslop

Simon Heslop – 102 apps, 9 goals.

The midfielder made 30 appearances this season but was in and out of the side throughout.

Heslop, 26, made a big impact after joining from Luton in June 2010, scoring several spectacular goals, but was unable to sustain the form and struggled ever since.

 

Oxford Mail: Peter Leven

Peter Leven –67 apps, 12 goals.

The most talented player in United’s squad, with manager Chris Wilder rating him as arguably, when fit, the best player in League Two.

Unfortunately for U’s fans the Scot has spent the majority of his two years with the club below 100 per cent.

Often the 29-year-old played while carrying knocks and never fully recovered from shoulder and knee surgery last summer, but still finished the campaign as United’s fifth highest scorer, with six goals.

 

Oxford Mail: Luke McCormick, who has been charged with causing the deaths of two young boys

Luke McCormick – 15 apps, 0 goals.

A controversial choice when he was recruited on transfer deadline day in January to replace the injured Ryan Clarke.

The 29-year-old settled back into Football League action after his long absence with few problems and was a reliable presence.

But the development of young goalkeeper Max Crocombe means there is no room for McCormick next season.

 

Oxford Mail: Josh Parker is halted against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday

Josh Parker – 16 apps, 0 goals.

The versatile forward was recruited as a free agent last December to give an injury-hit United squad an extra attacking option.

The 22-year-old showed flashes of promise, but was unable to register a first career goal and was rarely used in the run-in as other players returned to fitness.

 

Oxford Mail: Football player image for Jon-Paul Pitman

Jon-Paul Pittman – 35 apps, 6 goals.

Signed as an impact player in May 2011, Pittman was another whose U’s career was significantly held back by injuries.

His first season included a loan spell at Crawley Town, but just as he found form this season the quick forward dislocated a shoulder in the FA Cup at Accrington Stanley.

Surgery kept him out for four months and the 26-year-old’s final goal came in the 3-2 defeat at Aldershot Town last month.

 

Oxford Mail: On target: Justin Richards.

Justin Richards –5 apps, 0 goals.

The experienced striker’s U’s career was over almost as soon as it began.

Joining from Burton initially on loan, the 32-year-old impressed in the 2-1 win at Bradford City in January and joined on a short-term contract shortly afterwards.

But in his second game after signing terms, against Bristol Rovers, a block tackle left him with damaged knee ligaments, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

 

Oxford Mail: Football player image for Harry Worley

Harry Worley – 69 apps, 3 goals.

The defender was part of United’s first-choice central defensive pairing, with Jake Wright, after signing from Leicester City in July 2010.

But opportunities were limited for the 24-year-old ever since, falling behind Michael Duberry in the pecking order last season, while Michael Raynes was preferred as Wright’s partner in this campaign.