Watford confirm release of Rene Gilmartin, Tom James, Chez Isaac and Michael Bryan

10:24am Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor

Picture: Action Images Picture: Action Images

Watford will be releasing five players this summer but are hoping to secure the futures of Martin Taylor and Stephen McGinn.

Goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin, defender Tom James, midfielder Chez Isaac and winger Michael Bryan were all out of contract this summer and the club have confirmed they will not be handing them extensions. Josh Walker had previously agreed a move to Scunthorpe United, where he has spent the second half of the season on loan.

Taylor and McGinn are also out of contract this summer but the Hornets are in talks with the pair over a new deal.

Watford manager Sean Dyche told the club's website: "The harsh realities of football are never far away - and for us as a club it means we simply cannot retain every player on our staff, despite all these lads having given everything to the club this year.

"We've valued their contribution to the squad throughout this season. They've been part of a group that's always looking to improve.

"On behalf of everyone connected with Watford, I'd like to them all well for their future in football."

Gilmartin, 24, joined the Hornets from Walsall on a free transfer last summer but only made seven appearances for the Hornets first team and spent most of this season on loan at Yeovil Town and Crawley Town.

James's rise is a quite remarkable one but his dream year has ended in disappointment. The left back joined last summer from Stratford Town in the Midlands Football Alliance, which is the ninth tier of English football and four stages below the Conference.

The 23-year-old was initially handed a six-month contract but it was extended until the end of the season in January and he made his professional debut a few days later.

Isaac is a combative midfielder who captained the Under-18s last season but due to the number of central midfielders at Watford, spent the majority of this season on loan at Boreham Wood and Tamworth.

Bryan was part of the first team squad in recent years; making eight appearances in the 2009/10 campaign and seven last season. But he has spent considerable time away from London Colney in the last year on trial at other clubs and on loan at Bradford City.

Walker agreed a move to Scunthorpe permanently two weeks ago after spending the second half of this season on loan at The Iron. The former Middlesbrough midfielder, 23, made just one start and six substitute appearances for the Hornets following his move two years ago.

Comments(24)

corbindallas says...
11:31am Thu 3 May 12

I wonder if the Gilmartin release means we are going to sign TK, I would hope the saved salaries combined mean we can do this as I thing Kuszczak would be a ideal start for building a strong team for next year?Will be interesting to see the McGinn situation as he has been out for so long wonder if he can come back as strong or stronger than his previous first team appearances, really hope so?

Report this post »

ChorleywoodHornet says...
11:38am Thu 3 May 12

As much as I'd love to see TK back I just can't see it happening, because of salary and the size of the club. More likely is that Jonathan Bond will replace him and we'll have Loach as number 1 again.

Report this post »

Andrew1963 says...
12:16pm Thu 3 May 12

corbindallas wrote:
I wonder if the Gilmartin release means we are going to sign TK, I would hope the saved salaries combined mean we can do this as I thing Kuszczak would be a ideal start for building a strong team for next year?Will be interesting to see the McGinn situation as he has been out for so long wonder if he can come back as strong or stronger than his previous first team appearances, really hope so?
I doubt the 4 released were on big money probably under £200,000 a year for the lot. I expect TK would be looking for at least £375,000 - but the savings go a fair way to meeting that. If I was Taylors agent I would wait and see what happens with Mariappa - if he goes Taylor will have a stronger hand to play.

Report this post »

No Wheels says...
1:01pm Thu 3 May 12

I'm a little sad to see Bryan go... Especially when we are so short on quality wide players. I thought he did well in a couple of his first appearances - though they seem an eternity ago now. I know it's a big old rough and tough league out there, but we never seem very keen to keep the or play the tricksy little skilful players.... Will Mingoia get his chance, I wonder?

Report this post »

tonupchris says...
1:30pm Thu 3 May 12

In the times I've seen Mingoia I always thought he seemed a little too lightweight. Mind you I said that watching a reserve game a few years ago about a player and he now plays for Man Utd and England so what do I know.
No shock with the ones going but had a feeling there might have been others. Thought Whichelow might be going but pleased he isn't. Big season for him next year. Garner as he just doesn't look good enough especially if we're looking to progress next season in to play off contenders. A striker and another winger a must in the summer. I'm not as concerned about Loach as others but if we were to get TK I wouldn't be too upset! If QPR stay up, Smith back for a third time!!??

Report this post »

WFC4ever says...
2:42pm Thu 3 May 12

I think Bond will step up to compete with Loach for the goalkeeping spot.

Hope Taylor and McGinn stay.

Report this post »

The Rover says...
2:51pm Thu 3 May 12

Not a massive loss. Lets hope we manage to keep the rest of squad so we can have a push for promotion next season, and that we dont have a mass exodus once everyone has renewed their season tickets.

Report this post »

stevyweavy says...
2:58pm Thu 3 May 12

David James has been released by Bristol City so don't be too surprised if his name gets mentioned if as expected we can't do a deal for Kuszczak. Personally think he is to old now at 41 but you never know and wouldn't go down to badly with a lot of the supporters. Don't know how it will play out with Martin Taylor (he may stall to see how the AM situation pans out) - I am sure that the reason AM did not come back into the starting 11 after his injury was all about showing Taylor the love but would expect McGinn to sign new contract after all the support he has had from the club. Will reserve judgement on the leaving players until we know what replacements come in.

Report this post »

SAHornet says...
3:16pm Thu 3 May 12

stevyweavy wrote:
David James has been released by Bristol City so don't be too surprised if his name gets mentioned if as expected we can't do a deal for Kuszczak. Personally think he is to old now at 41 but you never know and wouldn't go down to badly with a lot of the supporters. Don't know how it will play out with Martin Taylor (he may stall to see how the AM situation pans out) - I am sure that the reason AM did not come back into the starting 11 after his injury was all about showing Taylor the love but would expect McGinn to sign new contract after all the support he has had from the club. Will reserve judgement on the leaving players until we know what replacements come in.
I haven't heard a single comment so far that would indicate a welcome return for David James. Very bad move as far as I'm concerned. We've already got one butter-fingers.

Report this post »

buckler says...
3:46pm Thu 3 May 12

James is finished! Not good enough and dropped by a team nearly relegated.Why would we possibly want another Clown with big gloves ?

Report this post »

Lloydinio says...
4:30pm Thu 3 May 12

Oh I wanted Bryan and James to stay

Report this post »

West Country Hornet says...
4:42pm Thu 3 May 12

SAHornet wrote:
stevyweavy wrote:
David James has been released by Bristol City so don't be too surprised if his name gets mentioned if as expected we can't do a deal for Kuszczak. Personally think he is to old now at 41 but you never know and wouldn't go down to badly with a lot of the supporters. Don't know how it will play out with Martin Taylor (he may stall to see how the AM situation pans out) - I am sure that the reason AM did not come back into the starting 11 after his injury was all about showing Taylor the love but would expect McGinn to sign new contract after all the support he has had from the club. Will reserve judgement on the leaving players until we know what replacements come in.
I haven't heard a single comment so far that would indicate a welcome return for David James. Very bad move as far as I'm concerned. We've already got one butter-fingers.
I live in Bristol and know many City season ticket holders who were calling for James to be dropped at various points during the season - eventually he was and their performances, and results, improved. Very, very bad signing if this happens. Danny Graham for England?

Report this post »

Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
4:55pm Thu 3 May 12

David James - Maybe 5 years ago, maybe 3 yrs ago, but absolutely not now. I wouldn't be surprised if it happened though...

Shame about Tom James. Looked like a great success story 6 months ago. I guess he didn't show sufficient improvement to suggest he could make the step up to 1st team player.

Report this post »

JohnnyHornet says...
4:59pm Thu 3 May 12

Don't have a problem with the 4 going such is football life, my concerns would be a depleted squad again based on these 4 going, Mirfin and Walker almost certainly staying at Scunny, potentially losing Taylor & Mcginn ( to Mcjock ), and rogue offers for Mapps and Murray, thats a defo 6 and a possible 10, mind you could mean we have the funds available for TK and a few others.

Report this post »

Richard - Come On You Golden Boys! says...
5:50pm Thu 3 May 12

David James moved to Bristol City for family reasons as he lives in the West Country. Can't see him wanting to come to the Vic at this time - or us trying to get him for that matter, so think it's a non-starter. As for Kuszczak can't see that happening either - unless financial situation changes dramatically. Tommy Smith would be an interesting signing though .....

Report this post »

mrbankrupt says...
6:40pm Thu 3 May 12

I think even David James must realise it's time to pack in, Tommy smith would be nice

Report this post »

SAHornet says...
7:31pm Thu 3 May 12

We need:
Goalkeeper
Left back
Right back
Centre half (maybe x 2)
Nippy competent winger
Striker

If SD were to make these signings and really get it right this time, we could be contenders, no doubt about it, but.....do we have the funds??

Report this post »

Hornet23 says...
8:20pm Thu 3 May 12

SAHornet wrote:
We need:
Goalkeeper
Left back
Right back
Centre half (maybe x 2)
Nippy competent winger
Striker

If SD were to make these signings and really get it right this time, we could be contenders, no doubt about it, but.....do we have the funds??
Right back?? Lloyd, Hodson and Thompson....

Report this post »

SAHornet says...
10:14pm Thu 3 May 12

Lloyd is generally considered to be finished, on this forum at least.

Hodson - where is he? No one knows. Certainly not a regular.

Thommo - ditto Hodson above.

Report this post »

ChorleywoodHornet says...
10:43pm Thu 3 May 12

SAHornet wrote:
Lloyd is generally considered to be finished, on this forum at least.

Hodson - where is he? No one knows. Certainly not a regular.

Thommo - ditto Hodson above.
There's been all sorts of ridiculous comments on this forum, that doesn't mean that LD is finished, I thought he had a good game against Borough!

The 5 substitute rule this season has meant that LH hasn't been on the bench when he was last season, and he has played a few times this season, most likely a regular next season.

And AT has been on loan at Brentford, and from what I've heard has been doing very well in League 1!

So therefore no need for a new right back!

Report this post »

onlyonerodthomas says...
11:05pm Thu 3 May 12

people on here need to get realistic.tk only came to us because of our good relationship with man utd and tk needed games to stand any chance of making the euro squad.he was rumoured to be pulling in 25-35k a week at man utd.still a good age and could sign for a number of prem clubs(in my opinion).we have absolutely no chance of signing him permanently.i doubt we could offer more than 8k tops.if however we did sign him it will be the best business for wfc in a long time.

Report this post »

corbindallas says...
8:16am Fri 4 May 12

I think we are being realistic, can't see a single Prem club that will name TK as immediate first choice, and he want's to play regularly not bench warm thus leaving MU. He knows Watford, he can get his career back online and earn a decent salary even with us. The other option is going abroad but that could be a big gamble for him and his family, so I would like to think we are in a good position to sign him even if only short term! Re Tommy Smith and HH I think they may be more important to QPR next season as I reckon QPR will be in the Championship and can't see QPR wanting to hold onto all those expensive players! If they do manage to stay up TS and HH may be released! So it could work out better if they do stay up?

Report this post »

mickallen57 says...
7:35pm Fri 4 May 12

Felt sorry for Michael Bryan thought he showed some ability and was tricky little player especially when running at the opposition defence,Bit on the small side.Wish them all well .
Don't agree with Chorleywoodhornet of course Lloyd isn't finished he never started His distribution( well documented on this site) is woefull the ammount of play broken down because he cannot pass is unbelievable. He is a lucky young man to be playing at this level.

Report this post »

D.unstable says...
9:43am Sat 5 May 12

No surprises here and just clearing a few out that had little chance of reaching the required level if we are to push forward.

I expect to see Taylor and McGinn sign but despite how it would be the best signing for many a year cannot see TK staying as i thin he will have much bigger and better offers on the table (but fingers crossed).

What is all this talk of Lloyd, he may not be the best attacking right back in the country but please do not forget the commitment he has showed to our club over the past 10 years. You can never question his effort and work rate and has been a very loyal survant, something not seen too often these days in football. Often playing out of position for the good of the club.

I expect to see Lloyd in or around the first team for the next couple of years at least.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree