Dale release players

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Three Rochdale players, defenders Matt Flynn and Robbie Williams and goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams have been released from the club.

Captain Gary Jones and midfielder Matty Done have been given offers to stay at the club as both contracts are up, but deals with both players are still in the balance.

Manager Keith Hill told the club website: “The players who are leaving will do so with our best wishes for the future.

“Robbie Williams and Owain Fon Williams have had the opportunity to showcase their abilities since they have been with us to potential new clubs.

“Matty Flynn has been a model professional and he will go with our highest regard and recommendation for anyone seeking advice on him”

Loan players Will Atkinson and Josh Thompson will also be leaving, going back to their parent clubs - Hull and Celtic respectively.

“Will made a big impact in his first season with us and it is fair to say he didn’t really have such an impact this time around though he is a very capable player,” said Hill.

“Josh has shown tremendous patience but we were fortunate that a good partnership developed between Marcus Holness and Craig Dawson, which turned out to be a little unfortunate for him.

“The partnership flourished and Josh’s opportunities diminished, but again he is more than capable and he goes back to Celtic after having a good experience at Rochdale.”

Dawson will also be going back to the club that loaned him, West Bromwich Albion, and Hill sees this as the biggest hole to fill.

He said: “It is going to be very difficult to replace Craig Dawson and that is out major headache.”

Hill stressed however that there is plenty of time to take on new players, and he won’t be susceptible to any pressure.

“There is no panic and we won’t be blinded by the propaganda that is thrown at us by agents, we will recruit the right players who will take this club forward,” he told the club website.