With The New Saints’ first-team squad reporting back to Park Hall for pre-season as preparations for our upcoming UEFA Champions League campaign get underway, the club can now confirm its retained/released list. 

As announced last week, club legend and captain Chris Marriott will be departing the club after 15 years of incredible service, where he became the club’s most decorated ever player, lifting 26 trophies across all competitions. 

TNS will also bid farewell to another stalwart of their recent success as midfielder Jon Routledge departs for pastures new after eight terrific years at Park Hall. Routledge joined ahead of the 2016-17 campaign and has since gone on to make 272 appearances in all competitions, scoring 22 times. His performances played an integral part in the club lifting six JD Cymru Premier titles, as well as three Welsh Cups and three Welsh League Cups. 

Routledge leaves the club as a legend and with everyone’s appreciation and best wishes for the future, he will always be welcome back to Park Hall. 

Six further players will also be departing Park Hall following the expiry of their contracts. Adam Roscrow, Nick Grogan, Billy Kirkman, Ryley Oakley, Reece Warder and Owen Davies all depart TNS and leave with the club’s best wishes for the future. Jared Harlock will return to Blackburn Rovers following the expiry of his loan deal and we thank him for his efforts during his time with the club. 

All other first team players remain under contract for the upcoming season which kicks-off in July with the club’s return to UEFA Champions League action. Players were back in pre-season training last week, as we look to build on last year’s incredible season which saw TNS go the entire league campaign unbeaten, reach three domestic finals and complete the league and league cup double. 

Speaking on the announcement of the retained list, Head Coach, Craig Harrison, said:

“Firstly, I’d like to thank Adam, Nick, Billy, Reece, Ryley, and Owen for all of their hard work at the football club and wish them good luck for the future.

“It has been a pleasure having a working and personal relationship with Chris Marriott, who is a top player, top professional and a top person. He’s been a great captain both on and off the pitch, and I’ve loved every minute working with him. Not only is he a TNS legend, he’s also a Welsh Premier League legend and I wish him and his wonderful family the best of luck for the future.

“I remember signing Jon Routledge in 2016 and without a shadow of a doubt, he’s been one of my best signings. He’s a fantastic footballer, a great lad on and off the pitch, and is also another TNS and Welsh Premier League legend. I wish Jon all the best in his future.

“Both Chris and Jon would be in my all-time best TNS side, and also my all-time best Welsh Premier League team.”  

The New Saints Chairman, Mike Harris, said:

“Firstly, similar to Chris Marriott, I’d like to give a dedicated mention to Jon Routledge as he leaves the club after eight superb years as a TNS player. Jon has achieved and created some special moments during his time at Park Hall, cementing himself as a legend of the football club. I wish him all the very best  and look forward to welcoming him back to Park Hall in the future.

“Likewise we thank all of our departing players for their efforts and wish them well for their future careers. We have kept the nucleus of the squad that achieved an incredible season last time out, we will work with Craig and his staff  to ensure the squad is ready and raring to go as we look to make history in Europe this summer.”

Confirmed retained list:

Under contract for the 2024/25 season:

• Reece Thompson
• Josh Pask
• Matthew Olosunde
• Ryan Astles
• Josh Daniels
• Ryan Brobbel
• Declan McManus
• Danny Redmond
• Adrian Cieslewicz
• Blaine Hudson
• Dan Williams
• Jordan Williams
• Rory Holden
• Ben Clark
• Leo Smith
• Danny Davies
• Brad Young
• Ash Baker
• Connor Roberts
• Jordan Marshall
• Jake Canavan
• Gwion Dafydd
• Jack Edwards
• Ben Woollam
• Josh Lock
• Tom Jones

Players leaving the club:

• Chris Marriott
• Jon Routledge
• Adam Roscrow
• Nick Grogan
• Billy Kirkman
• Ryley Oakley
• Reece Warder
• Owen Davies

Loan player returning to parent club:

• Jared Harlock (Blackburn Rovers)