Gainsborough Trinity have announced that winger Javelle Clarke will stay with the club for the upcoming season.
In their newly published retained list, the club stated that they had taken an option in Clarke’s contract to extend his stay at The Northolme for another season.
The impactful Sheffield United academy product joined the Holy Blues last summer, but has missed much of his first campaign at Trinity with an ankle injury that saw him need crutches to walk.
Clarke joins the list of seven players who were already under contract for the 2024/25 season. Dayle Southwell’s contract expires at the end of the next season, so his status was never in question.
Northern Premier League top goal-scorer Declan Howe became the first Gainsborough man to sign on the dotted line. Fan-favourite Bailey Conway, defender Ashley Jackson, hometown boy Lewis Butroid and the experienced Bobby Johnson all followed. Former Scotland under-19s international Fraser Preston completed the set.
Some discussions on-going:
Trinity continue talks with captain Dylan Cogill and wing-back George Hornshaw, who stand as the top appearance makers from the 2023/24 campaign.
Cogill notched five goals during the previous season, only behind Dayle Southwell and star-man Declan Howe on the club’s tally. Hornshaw added a further two.
Danny Devine, who remains sidelined with a serious injury, has not been offered new terms by the club. However, the former Bradford City and Carlisle United man will remain with Trinity during his rehabilitation.
Manager Russ Wilcox spoke to The Linc about his transfer plans after the curtain came down on the season. He said: “We’ve retained a good core of the group, and we need to add to that. Obviously that’s the hardest bit, I think non-league recruitment is very difficult. You look at location, people have jobs, they need to be not too far away. It makes the pool a lot smaller, because it’s got to fit around people’s jobs.”
Leaving the KAL Group Stadium:
Gainsborough have also confirmed that Jack Moore-Billam, Nat Wallace, who has been invited back for pre-season training, and Connor Shanks, have been released.
Loanees Dylan Wharton (Sheffield United), Hamish Douglas (Rotherham United), and Joe Stacey (Alfreton Town) will all return to their parent clubs after the trio’s respective loan spells.
In their statement, the club said: “We would like to wish all the players leaving the KAL Group Stadium the best for their futures, and thank them for their services while with the club.”
Feature Image Credit: Russell Dickens (@bozola900)