Dave Hibbert | Shrewsbury
Hibbert, much like his time at Deepdale under Paul Simpson, has found himself falling further down the pecking order in the striker department at Shrewsbury. In a season where Shrewsbury were 90 minutes away from promotion to League One, Hibbert’s first-team starts didn’t even manage to hit double figures.
The former Port Vale man’s season did however get off to a good start by netting in the 4-0 win over Macclesfield after coming on as a sub but made most of his appearances from the substitute’s bench.
Games: 9 (14) Goals: 3 Yellow Cards: 1 Red Cards: 0
Steve Basham | Exeter City
Former Preston number 10 Steve Basham played a bit-part role in Exeter’s promotion winning season having fallen down the pecking order slightly. The Devonshire outfit will be testing themselves in League One next term after finishing runners up in League Two behind Brentford. The former Southampton man made the majority of his first team appearances from the substitute’s bench.
Games: 12 (13) Goals: 3 Yellow Cards: 0 Red Cards: 0
John Halls | Brentford
Former Arsenal youth player John Halls is another one to be added to the list of former North Enders who are currently without a club. Halls, who spent a month on loan at Deepdale in 2007, fell victim to a player overhaul at Griffin Park as The Bees look to take League One by storm. Halls was released by manager Andy Scott after a season where Brentford finished the season as League Two champions.
Games: 23 (1) Goals: 0 Yellow Cards: 2 Red Cards: 0
Pawel Abbott | Darlington
Abbott, who joined Darlington in 2007, has had his first-team appearances limited somewhat due to injuries, last season in particular since he joined the Quakers. However, the former Huddersfield striker can take solace in an impressive goal-scoring record. Despite the Pole’s goals, Darlo were thwarted in their attempts to leave League Two and instead had to make do with mid-table status finishing in 12th place but just seven points away from the play-offs.
Games: 15 (3) Goals: 8: Yellow Cards 2 Red Cards: 0
Omar Daley | Bradford City
The former Reading winger was in good form for the Bantams last season, wading in with the odd goal the right-hand side. However, despite having the highest attendances in League Two, Bradford fell short in their pursuit of the play-offs by finishing 9th, just two points away from 7th placed Shrewsbury who of course reached the play-off final.
Games: 28 (2) Goals: 4 Yellow Cards: 3 Red Cards: 0
Brian Barry-Murphy | Bury
Barry-Murphy was less than a handful of appearances shy from being ever-present for the Shakers last season. Bury’s pursuit of promotion seemed to going according to plan until former Preston gaffer Paul Simpson’s Shrewsbury booked their place in the Play-Off Final thanks to an 88th minute Kevin McIntyre equaliser and goalkeeping heroics from Luke Daniels in a penalty shootout. In the end, the Gigg Lane outfit had to make do with a 4th place finish and take solace knowing that they enjoyed a good season but will have to go again next term if they want to gain promotion.
Games: 45 (1) Goals: 2 Yellow Cards: 1 Red Cards: 0
Marcus Stewart | Exeter City
Veteran Striker Marcus Stewart became an integral part of Paul Tisdale’s first-team during the Grecians’ promotion winning season. The former Sunderland striker contributed with some important goals for City, most notably his brace away at Rochdale in March. But, at 36, Stewart is without question in his golden years as a professional and will want to end his career on a high. A good season in League One next year with Exeter City could do just the trick.
Games: 37 (1) Goals: 7 Yellow Cards: 3 Red Cards: 0
Kevin Nicholls | Luton Town
Luton Town’s disastrous season has been well-documented, especially since they were more-or-less doomed to failure after receiving a staggering 30 point deduction. Heading into their 2008/2009 season in League Two, Kevin Nicholls returned to Kenilworth Road as skipper. The former Leeds United midfielder spent a large chunk of Luton’s relegation threatened campaign out injured and as a result, could only conjure up 16 league starts. Despite the negatives, Luton finished the season on a high after lifting the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after beating Scunthorpe after extra-time but will be playing in the Blue Square Premier Division next season, English football’s 5th tier.
Games: 20 (3) Goals: 0 Yellow Cards: 7 Red Cards: 1
