Right-back Haji Mnoga, midfielder Ossama Ashley and striker Cole Stockton are among five players to have been released by Salford City following their League Two play-off final defeat.
As soon as midway through the post-match press conference after the Ammies’ disappointing 3-0 loss to Notts County, attention turned to a handful of players who lifted the club to its highest-ever finish but will not return to gear up for an eighth consecutive League Two season over the summer.
“I’ve got some of the most incredible people in there and I know because of how good they are as people that it is hurting them,” a dejected Robinson told the press of his changing room’s reaction to the defeat. “I can’t speak to them about football because this team will never play together again.”
He continued: “The learning points of it are minimal, but it’s about them taking experiences away. It’s about them learning who they are and making sure that whatever their destination is next is that they’re better, but also that they can stay consistent in their personalities.”
A week on from the team’s heartbreaking Wembley defeat, Mnoga, Ashley and Stockton have been released alongside Tom Edwards and Dan Chesters.
Mnoga, 24, joined Salford in August as a free agent and cemented himself as Robinson’s first choice at right back, or in an advanced right wing-back role. The tenacious, physical and reliable defender appeared in all four matches for Tanzania as they reached the round of 16 stage at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time before losing to star-studded hosts Morocco in Rabat in January.
Stockton joined as Robinson’s marquee attacking signing when he completed a move from League One Burton Albion to Salford in 2024. The experienced centre forward netted 18 goals in all competitions during his red-hot first season at the Peninsula Stadium. However, injuries disrupted his second term at the club and he managed just three goals, with many of his appearances coming from the bench.
Of Ashley’s three seasons at Salford City, his role in the club’s push for an eighth-place finish in League Two in 2024-25 is likely to be remembered most fondly by supporters. The mind’s eye pictures him partnering Tyrese Fornah at the base of midfield, dictating play as Karl Robinson’s side began to show they could compete at the top end of the fourth tier. The technically gifted midfielder joined the club from Colchester United in July 2023 and departs following an injury-hit final season at the Peninsula Stadium.
Tom Edwards joined Salford City in July 2024 as part of Karl Robinson’s summer overhaul of the squad he inherited from Neil Wood. The 27-year-old centre-back was brought in to add experience and help steer the club away from another relegation battle, and proved a smart acquisition as he made 19 appearances during a season in which Salford climbed 12 places. The Stoke City academy graduate, however, fell out of favour following a series of defensive additions aimed at strengthening the push for promotion, and departs having played just five times last campaign.
Dan Chesters will hope to rediscover his form away from the Peninsula Stadium after two injury-hit seasons. The pacy winger joined permanently from West Ham United following a promising loan spell in June 2024, but his encouraging start to the subsequent campaign was derailed by an anterior cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the season. The 24-year-old has since struggled to force his way back into contention and departs having failed to make an appearance last season. It is to be hoped he will rediscover the potential he showed during his bright start to life at Salford elsewhere.
Meanwhile, 13 players are under contract, including captain Luke Garbutt, Kallum Cesay, and Ade Oluwo, who all signed new deals during the season. Contract options have also been triggered for Ben Woodburn, Kelly Nmai, Josh Austerfield, Kyrell Malcolm and Ros Longelo to extend their stay at the club.
Versatile defender Ollie Turton has been offered a new contract with his current deal set to end in June.
Sunderland loanee goalkeeper Matty Young, who has starred for Salford across the last two seasons, Tottenham centre-back Alfie Dorrington, Southampton attacker Prince Ehibhatiomhan and Montevideo City Torque forward Nico Siri have returned to their parent clubs on loan.
