Hartlepool United confirm retained list and reveal why Gime Toure is leaving the club

Toure had expressed a desire to play at a higher level, the club confirmed, while there are new deals on the table for Luke James and Mark Kitching who are both out of contract.

There are currently eight players under contract for the 2020-21 campaign, though when that will be able to start is unclear due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The eight are Ben Killip, Ryan Donaldson, Nicky Featherstone, Gavan Holohan, Aiden Keena, Luke Molyneux, Brad Young and Gus Mafuta.

Meanwhile, Pools have confirmed they have also offered new deals to the follow players under the age of 24: Josh Hawkes, Kenton Richardson and Aaron Cunningham while hot prospect Joe Grey has been offered his first professional contract

A Pools statement read: “One of the hardest things to do in football is to tell players that their contracts will not be renewed and in particular when they have shown professionalism and commitment at all times for the club.

“The following senior players whose contracts have either expired or expire on or before 30th June will not be offered a new contract and leave with our considerable thanks and best wishes: Myles Anderson, Fraser Kerr, Michael Raynes, Niko Muir and Jason Kennedy.

“Additionally young players or those on short term contracts Adam Bale, Ryan Catterick, Mitch Beeney and Brooke Miller.

“We wish to thank all these players for their efforts whilst at Hartlepool United and wish them good luck in their future careers.

“Gime Toure has expressed a desire to play at a higher level during next season so has been released following expiry of his contract.

“Luke Williams and Lorne Bickley have been invited back for pre season in a bid to earn a deal.”

There was positive news on the loanee front, with Challinor keen to bring several of the players back.

There have been ‘positive’ talks with the likes of Gary Liddle and Mark Shelton over a return to Victoria Park.

Pools added: “Gary Liddle, Mark Shelton, Timi Odusina, Macauley Southam-Hales and Rob Harker have all returned to their parent clubs, though positive conversations have taken place with all players and may return to Victoria Park in the future.”

Luke James is one player Challinor is particularly keen to tie down to a new deal, last week he told the Mail: “I’ve been really straight with Luke and I want to keep him and the football club because I think I can get the best out of him and I love his desire to work.

“It was disappointing to lose Luke [to injury] when we did because he was in a patch where things were dropping for him and we thought he was going to be pivotal for us. I think he can become a real goalscorer for us.”

All football in the National League was suspended in March following the coronavirus pandemic with the season later cancelled.

Decisions over promotion and relegation are yet to be confirmed, though with Pools finishing ninth another season in the fifth tier beckons.