Lawrence shows No Mercy as 13 Released

As the Bluebirds prepare for their first campaign in England's second flight for 18 years, Lennie Lawrence has released 13 of his first-team players he believes are surplus to requirements.

Leo Fortune-West, who has been with the club for 3 seasons and has enjoyed 2 promotions in that time is one of the names on Lennie's 'cut' list. Fortune-West, who has adopted a sort of cult status at Ninian Park, made 29 appearances for City this season (although he only started 10 games), scoring 4 goals. He had a superb start to the season, partnering Andy Campbell up-front in the early games but has been 5th choice striker since the start of the year. He has already been linked to many clubs since his departure, including arch-rivals, Swansea City.

Chinese international Fan Zhiyi is another bigger name who has parted company with the club. His signing was highly publicised in both the national and local press but he has failed to settle as a Bluebird. He made just 8 appearances, and will probably be most remembered for his red card away at Colchester United, although he did score a cracking goal in a reserve fixture.

Son of the famous Joe Jordan, Andrew Jordan, joined the Bluebirds from rivals Bristol City 3 years ago has been unlucky since coming to Ninian Park. After marking his debut with an own goal in the 5-1 FA Cup victory over Bristol Rovers, he has been dogged with injuries, meaning he has never been able to make a strong claim for a regular place in the City line-up. He made 2 appearances for City this season, both in the FAW Premier Cup and missed the penalty which knocked Cardiff out of the competition.

Welsh international Steve Jenkins joined City from Huddersfield Town on a short-term contract mid-way through the season. Despite some solid performances, Lawrence has preferred to stick with young Rhys Weston at right back and Jenkins has not been a regular in the City line-up. He will probably be best remembered for the life-saving surgery on the pitch against Stockport County after almost swallowing his tongue. His future does not definitely lay elsewhere though. Lawrence has told Jenkins he is free to find a new club, but he may be asked to re-join the Bluebirds depending on transfer budgets.

Gareth Ainsworth is another player who has been told to find a new club, but may still be re-called depending on budgets. The flamboyant winger joined City as the season began to reach it's climax on a short-term contract. He has brought some life to the team, and is commitment made him a real fan favourite but he isn't want Lawrence really wanted in a winger. Ainsworth also missed the Playoffs through suspension after being sent-off during the 2-0 defeat to Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Goalkeeper, Mark Walton is another player who has departed after three years service. The veteran goalkeeper made no appearances this campaign for City, and the recent signing of Arran Lee-Barrett from Norwich City took away his place as third choice 'keeper. Walton had a good first season, leading City to promotion to the Second Division, but injury at the start of the 2001/2002 campaign meant he could pose no threat to Alexander for the number 1 slot.

Layton Maxwell joined City in time for the start of the 2001/2002 season and was thought to have real potential. Unfortunately, the former-Liverpool midfielder has failed to make an impact this season and would be unlikely to play many games next season. Although Maxwell has not been formally released, Lawrence has told him that he is surplus to requirements and is free to find another club. Maxwell though, is keen to stay and fight for his first team place if he does not find a new club he is comfortable with.

It's a similar situation with Des Hamilton, who has also been told to find a new club by Lawrence. The former Newcastle United midfielder hasn't made an impression in the first team and has failed to bring the class that was promised when he arrived at Ninian Park. His cause has not been helped by a series of injuries which saw him miss two months of last season's campaign. He also had to serve a lengthy suspension after being sent-off in a reserve game against Luton Town for punching an opposing player after an argument over racist comments made towards him.

Lee Fowler has returned to Coventry City following his trial period at Ninian Park. Fowler only played 20 minutes of football in a City shirt against Newport County in the Premier Cup semi-final, before being forced off with injury. I am a little disappointed he has not been given more of a chance, lets just hope he doesn't come back to haunt next season!

Young, Gethin Jones has been released without ever really getting the chance in the City first-team. The 21-year, who old only appeared for City in the FAW Premier Cup last season, has been linked with Cheltenham Town since being released. A broken leg received in a reserve team game disrupted his career as a Bluebird.

Martyn Giles was another player who was thought to have great potential, but big name signings have kept him away from first-team recognition. Giles only made one appearance, which was the shock Premier Cup exit at the hands of Newport County. The Cardiff-born left sided wing back is believed to be in talks with a few clubs about his future already.

I was also a little disappointed to see youth players Simon Heall and Tony Wallis go without getting a real crack at the first-team. Heall and Wallis both started at TNS in the Premier Cup, but did not impress Lawrence enough to earn another year.

So the players who are expected, or have already left Ninian Park are: Leo Fortune-West, Andy Jordan, Mark Walton, Fan Zhiyi, Gethin Jones, Tony Wallis, Lee Fowler, Des Hamilton, Layton Maxwell, Simon Heall, Martyn Giles, Gareth Ainsworth and Steve Jenkins.

This leaves the current senior squad size at 20. Lawrence wants to have at least 23 players in his first-team squad, so simple maths tells us that at least 3 players will be signing before the new season!

Players who have already been linked include David May, Luke Chadwick, John Robinson, Sean Goater and Matthew Jones.

Talk about possible new signings, and released players on the messageboard.

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