Oxford United have revealed their retained list following the end of the Division Four season, releasing 12 first-team players in the process. All dozen of the players were out of contract this year, and were told this morning face-to-face that they wouldn’t be handed a deal going into the new campaign in August.

However the club are pleased to keep midfielders Alfie Potter and Andy Whing after taking up an option within their current contracts. Midfielder Scott Davies and striker Deane Smalley have been offered new contracts to stay at the club. United also hope to tie down left-back Luke O’Brien in the coming weeks, with the ex-Bradford City defender due to enter negotiations on an extended stay at the Kassam Stadium.

The list of released players include; Peter Leven, Michael Duberry, Damian Batt, Tom Craddock, Josh Parker, Justin Richards, Luke McCormick, Harry Worley, Liam Davis, Tony Capaldi, Simon Heslop and Jon Paul-Pittman. All have been made free agents and allowed to speak to other clubs concerning a transfer before the new season begins.

Defender Batt, who has made 177 appearances in a Yellow shirt, was by far the surprise omission, with only three other players in the playing squad playing more games than him this season. He took to Twitter to appreciate his spell at United: “I would like to thank the fans for giving me an amazing four and a half years at a fantastic club.

“It has been the best time of my career which you guys have played a part in and I will miss it, but life is about new challenges and that is what I need”.

Duberry, 37, who made 50 appearances for the Us over two years also took to the social networking site; “Well it’s disappointing to be released from #oufc but that’s football & the decision of the club. I have had a great 2yrs!! #yellowarmy”.

Meanwhile former Luton Town striker Craddock is forced to find a new club despite becoming United’s second leading goal scorer this season with 12 goals in an injury-stricken campaign. Davis was ever-present at left-back for Oxford after making 73 appearances since joining from Northampton Town, whilst Heslop has the largest number of appearances to his name with 102 games under his belt.

The talented Leven brought huge promise to United when he turned his back on Milton Keynes Dons to sign for the Yellow’s in July 2011, but a plague of injuries over the two seasons has seen boss Chris Wilder lose faith in the Scotsman. And finally centre-half Harry Worley was continually dropped down in the pecking order to partner captain Jake Wright after the arrivals of Michael Raynes and Duberry, with some fans maybe feeling Wilder didn’t give the ex-Leicester City defender much of a chance.

Wilder was given a new 12-month contract last month and has been told to achieve promotion next season at the Kassam Stadium. It will certainly be an interesting summer transfer window for the Us as the former Bury assistant looks to bring in a host of replacements for the new season come August.