Swindon Town confirm player departures after 2025/26 season

Swindon Town have confirmed the departure of a number of players following the expiration of their contracts this summer.

Ryan Delaney, Will Wright, Jake Batty, Redman Evans, Junior Hoilett, Billy Bodin, Jaxon Brown, Dani Gonzalez-Birchall, Antony McCormick, George Alston are all set to leave the Nigel Eady Ground, as manager Ian Holloway looks to rebuild for another tilt at League Two promotion.

While new contracts have been agreed for Ollie Clarke, Harry Smith, and Ryan Tafazolli, as well as the club actioning an option to retain Lewis Ward for another year, Town confirmed negotiations were ongoing with full-back Billy Kirkman.

Both Danny Butterworth and Harrison Minturn are out of contract but have been invited back to train with the squad in pre-season.

Boss Holloway said: “Firstly, I want to thank every player who represented this football club throughout the season. We all know the objective was promotion, and because we haven’t achieved that, we must look at the season honestly and accept that it’s been a disappointment.

“That said, there were still signs of quality within the group and a lot of hard work behind the scenes. In the first half of the season, we competed well, and it was certainly nicer being at the right end of the table, but we didn’t see it through. The second half of the season really tested our campaign, and now it’s about making sure we learn from that and improve in the areas we need to.

“We need to build on our resilience, and I’ll be working hard on the character of my group, making them physically and mentally stronger so we can deal better with the challenges a season brings.

“This time of year, is never easy for any manager, and I’d like to thank every player for their efforts and professionalism. To those moving on, we wish them all the very best for the future.

“I’d also like to place on record my thanks to Bristol City, Leicester City, Aston Villa, Brentford, and Manchester United for trusting us with their [loan] players this season.”

Town confirmed Connor Ripley, Filozofe Mabete, James Ball, Tom Nichols, Paul Glatzel, Jake Tabor, Gavin Kilkenny, Joe Snowdon, Ben Middlemas, Aaron Drinan, Fletcher Holman, Ollie Palmer, Joel McGregor and Darren Oldaker are still under contract with the club.

“We already have a strong core of players under contract, and as a football club, we have a clear vision of what we need going into next season,” said Holloway.

“The goal hasn’t changed; we want to build a squad capable of winning promotion and giving our supporters a team they can be proud of.

“Finally, I want to thank our supporters once again. Your backing home and away has been incredible all season. Even through difficult moments, you continued to support the players and staff, and that means a huge amount. We know the standards expected at this football club, and everybody is determined to come back stronger next season.”