New Hitchin Town manager Brett Donnelly promised changes after the Canaries' relegation and he has been true to his words - with nine players shown the door at Top Field.

Among them are top scorer Finley Wilkinson, who has "decided not to accept an extension of his contract and will look to progress his football elsewhere" and experienced defender Layne Eadie.

Alex Kpakpe has also decided to leave the club to pursue football "elsewhere at a higher level" while Stan Georgiou, Kye Tearle, Bradley Bell, Daniel Emovon, Isaac Galliford and Matty Campbell are on there way out.

Long-serving goalkeeper Charlie Horlock had already given his intention to leave Hitchin and find a club nearer his High Wycombe home. 

There are a good number of players staying put though with Stephen Gleeson, who will also form part of the coaching staff, Lewis Barker, George Devine, Connor Vincent, Toby Syme and Shane Bush coming back for another season.

Discussions on another year remain ongoing with Jack Snelus, Diogo Freitas-Gouveia, Kavan Cotter and Ciaren Jones.

The statement on the club website said: "Since the end of the season Brett has been shaping the playing squad to ensure we are ready to compete and can quickly return to Step Three.

"Brett has also been targeting a number of new players to join the squad, some of these have now been secured and discussions have been progressing well with many more.

"We will release further details of the new additions to the squad as we head towards pre-season."

Hitchin should find out which division they will play in next season in the next couple of weeks with the likelihood being it will be the Southern League Division One Central, currently occupied by the likes of Hertfordshire rivals Ware and Welwyn Garden City and Donnelly's old club, Stotfold.