"Defensively, we are aware of some excellent players who will likely be released from the National League, so we have taken this decision with the intention of bolstering via identified defensive targets in the coming weeks.”

The club would like to thank Nat, Jack, Brad and all those who have given excellent service and we wish them the absolute best in the future.

Mr Munroe said "the club is operating under such uncertainty with regard to all levels of football currently with regard to the pandemic. Therefore it is prudent to take the actions necessary to ensure any prolonged continuation and delay to the new season will be no risk to the club whatsoever. However, not many clubs will have been as active as us at this stage of late spring so we are excited and the two more defensive reinforcements we sought are moving along well."

Basford’s retained/signed & agreed trialist list stands at 20 excluding any academy prospects who also may force their way into Steve Chettle preseason plans;

Kieran Preston

GK Invited Trialist

Ryan Wilson

Stef Galinski

Dom Roma

Lewis Carr

Invited Trialist

Callum Chettle

Matt Thornhill

Kyle Dixon

James Tague

James Carvell

Marcus Marshall

Ashley Worsfold

Coury Grantham

Niall Towle

Rev James

Kane Richards

Wayde Hines

Steve Chettle, who is working on the preseason schedule and training plan under the uncertainty, expressed views on where the current squad is: ”As mentioned before, we are planning for next season under extreme uncertainty.

"Like most clubs, we are trying to build a squad to continue on last season's successes, but it also comes with comings and goings. Nat, Jack and Brad all played their part during the season, but mutually we have decided to move onto a new challenge and we wish them all the best and thank them for their efforts last season.

"It is almost impossible to make everybody happy in a competitive squad and sometimes we don't get deals over the line that we would have liked to. These things happen in football and will continue to do so all around the country.

"I have spoken to all the players today to see how they are coping in these strange times and checked that they have received their offseason schedule in order to come back into pre-season when it is safe to do so. All the lads have said that they have been keeping active and can't wait to get back together.”