Stevenage striker Danny Newton is leaving the Lamex after the club announced their retain and release list.

Personally, I sadly agree that this was the right move for the club.

Newton was one of the higher earners at the club, and despite his impact on the pitch, his last few season have been too injury hampered to warrant a contract extension.

The nostalgia of the last three seasons makes this a tough player to let go off, but overall a new goal scorer with less injury worries that can challenge List and Norris for that top spot would be ideal.

Maybe time for the club to delve into non-league again to find the next Matty Godden?

Other notable releases are Arthur Iontton, Joe Martin and Liam Smyth.

Iontton started at the academy as an U11, he signed his first pro deal in 2018 as a 17-year-old and took centre stage as he made 29 appearances for Boro over two seasons.

Last season he found it hard to break into the first team after the sublime form of Jack Smith, Tom Pett and Chris Lines.

With only a few appearances in cup and reserve games, the time was right for the now 20-year-old to move to pastures new.

Martin re-signed for the club after limited game time at Northampton and played a back-up role to the ever-improving Ben Coker.

Martin was very hit and miss in his time at Boro and racked up a total of 52 appearances in red and white.

Smyth also progressed through the academy, and eventually signing his pro deal in 2018.

He found chances slim at Boro and was duly loaned out to Braintree where he made a considerable impact before returning on loan once again the season after. Smyth had promise but failed to make his mark at the club.

Retained list

I was personally surprised with the retained list. Keeping players like Terrence Vancooten and Scott Cuthbert, who were key in that defensive solidity showed last season, means Revell can focus elsewhere with his new signings.

Luke Prosser and Jack Smith are the other two players I'm pleased to see staying at the club.

Keeping the majority of the team from last season also retains that winning mentality that was instilled into the club.

Offered terms

Five crucial players are still to confirm their fate at Boro. If any of these players leave the club it'll be tough to find replacements of their calibre to challenge for the play offs next season.

The midfield duo of Lines and Pett transformed Boro's midfield and really pushed the team to that new level.

Luther Wildin leaving the club would be a terrible shame after a brilliant three seasons at the club.

His performances last season defined him as a player: pacey, defensively astute with some brilliant moves in the attacking third.

Ben Coker is clearly made an impact on and off the pitch at the club and had some very good games for Boro.

His set piece delivery and energetic performances down the left-hand side highlighted him as a key member of the squad in both the defensive and attacking thirds of the pitch.

Overall, I believe the list is a step in the right direction for the club.

If they can secure two of those players that are still in discussions, then that sets up a very solid foundation for next season.

And who knows, maybe a team that's challenging for the play off places.