Newcastle Red Bulls squad overhaul continues as Scotland and Japan stars among 26 departures
Newcastle Red Bulls have confirmed their player exits at the end of the season
Newcastle Red Bulls have confirmed 26 players will depart the club at the end of the current campaign, with their mass squad overhaul continuing ahead of next season.
The North East outfit have already signed 21 fresh faces ahead of next season, with the likes of Hoskins Sotutu, Chris Harris, Raffi Quirke, Rusi Tuima, Benjamin Elizalde and George Turner heading to Kingston Park, but their arrivals have since forced 26 of the current squad out of the door.
The exits also come with the Red Bulls announcing a new-look coaching group for next season, with Dan McFarland taking over as head coach and current interim boss Stephen Jones, Calum MacRae, Micky Ward, Lee Dickson and Mark Laycock serving as assistants.
Newcastle Red Bulls confirm 26 player exits as squad overhaul continues
Among the departing group are the earlier retirements of Liam Williams and Hame Faiva, while Connor Doherty and Callum Hancock were already confirmed to be heading to CHAMP side Doncaster Knights.
Elliott Obatoyinbo, Boeta Chamberlain, Freddie Clarke, Scotland international Jamie Hodgson, Japan ace Amanaki Mafi, Tom Gordon and Cameron Neild are the headline names heading for pastures new next season, while mid-season recruits Bryn Gordon, Scotland-capped Ben Healy and Jamie Clark will also depart at the end of their short-term deals.
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Commenting on the departing players, Newcastle sporting general manager, Neil McIlroy, said: “On behalf of everybody at the club I would like to thank all of our departing players for their contribution during their time here.
“The group have been outstanding to work with during a period of huge change at the club, and they can all be proud of their efforts as part of the first wave of Newcastle Red Bulls players.
“There is understandable excitement regarding the future here, but it’s hugely important we acknowledge the part played by guys who are moving on. We wish them all the very best for whatever next steps they have in place, and they will always be welcome here.”
Newcastle Red Bulls departures in full
Eduardo Bello, Tim Cardall, Boeta Chamberlain, Jamie Clark, Max Clark, Freddie Clarke, Stefan Coetzee, Luan de Bruin, Seb de Chaves, Jack Dickens, Connor Doherty, Bryn Gordon, Tom Gordon, Joel Grayson, Callum Hancock, Connor Hancock, John Hawkins, Ben Healy, Jamie Hodgson, Fergus Lee-Warner, Freddie Lockwood, Amanaki Mafi, Cameron Neild, Junior Newton, Elliott Obatoyinbo, Sam Stuart