Lincoln city have released defender neal eardley.
The Imps announced their retained list on their official club website last night, with 11 players leaving the club.
Charlie Andrew, Michael Bostwick, Lee Frecklington, Akeem Hinds, Jamie McCombe, Tom Pett, Jason Shackell, Alan Sheehan, Grant Smith and Josh Vickers are all moving on as free agents.
Their website read: “Due to the unprecedented situation we find ourselves in, it has made making any positive decisions around out of contract players impossible at this time. The club would like to express our sincere thanks to all those players who will leave us in the coming weeks and wish them a successful future.”
Eardley, who is 31 years old, has been with the Imps since 2017 and has played 140 games for them. He played a key part in their promotion from League Two under Danny Cowley last year.
The experienced right-back has made over 400 appearances in his career to date and has also spent a season playing in the Premier League for Blackpool.
Eardley started out at Oldham Athletic and broke into their first-team before moving to the Seasiders in 2009. He helped them gain promotion from the Championship under Ian Holloway in his first season at the club.
He stayed with Blackpool for another three years before embarking on spells at Birmingham City, Leyton Orient, Hibernian and Northampton Town.
Eardley found a home at Sincil Bank three years ago and has been a consistent performer for the Imps since his move there. However, like many lower league footballers this summer, he will have to weigh up his options as a free agent.
The full-back is a decent option for clubs needing defensive reinforcements over the coming months.
