Lee Minshull released by Newport County while Charlton Athletic release 15 players

LEE MINSHULL has confirmed that his three year spell playing for Newport County is over.

 

The 29-year-old, Chatham born midfielder, started his career playing non-league football in Kent for Sittingbourne, Ramsgate, Deal Town (loan) and Tonbridge Angels, where he scored 17 league goals in 40 league appearances during his only season at Longmead Stadium in 2009-10.

That form saw him being snapped up by then Conference side AFC Wimbledon, but Minshull ditched his career as a quantity surveyor to go full-time to help the Dons finish runners-up and they sealed promotion into the Football League via the play-offs.

However, in January 2012, Minshull joined Newport County on loan and went on to play in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium, which County lost 2-0 to York City.

In May 2012, Minshull was released by AFC Wimbledon at the end of his contract and subsequently joined Newport County on a permanent contract.

During the 2012-13 season he was part of the Newport team that finished third in the Conference and won promotion by beating Wrexham 2-0 in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

The industrious midfielder and popular character, tweeted: “It’s official, I’m a free agent. It’s been an incredible journey that’s sadly come to an end, looking forward to a new chapter!”

Newport County finished in ninth-place in the League Two table this season. Minshull completed 116 appearances for the club, scoring 13 goals.

Meanwhile, Charlton Athletic have released 15 players following the expiration of their current contracts.

Tal Ben Haim, Simon Church, Chris Eagles, Roger Johnson, Lawrie Wilson, Oguchi Onyewu, Neil Etheridge, Jack Munns, Harry Osborne, Harry Gerard, Kadell Daniel, Kurtis Cumberbatch, Kieran Monlouis, Rhys Browne, and Levander Pyke.

Tal Ben Haim was a key member of the side which secured a top-half finish in the Championship last term, making 38 appearances , while Roger Johnson and Chris Eagles were brought in to help steer the Addicks back up the table in February. 

Former academy product Wilson arrived back at The Valley in 2012 and the versatile defender quickly became a fan favourite during his 108 appearances for the club, finishing runner-up in 2014's Player of the Year vote. 

Meanwhile, Wales International Church leaves Charlton having scored 10 goals in 63 outings during his two-year stay in SE7, including a memorable winner in the FA Cup fifth-round victory over Sheffield Wednesday in 2014. 

Elsewhere, in addition to Jack Munns who has joined Cheltenham Town on a one-year deal, fellow development squad players Osborne, Gerard, Daniel, Cumberbatch, Monlouis, Browne and Pyke have all departed The Valley as have Etheridge and Onyewu who had both signed on deals until the end of the 2014/15 campaign. 

“Charlton would like to thank the players released and wish them well for the future,” the Championship club said in a statement on their club website.

Visit Charlton Athletic’s website: www.cafc.co.uk