Monday 1st May 2000 : Three released as McFarland trims squad

Roy McFarland has announced that he will not be offering new terms to defender Ben Chenery and goalkeeper Arjan Van Heusden when their existing contracts expire this summer. In addition, veteran left-back Clive Wilson is retiring from football having served a one year contract with the U's, and midfielder Jamie Cassidy is being made available on a free transfer halfway through a two year contract.

The news about Van Heusden (27) and Cassidy (22) does not come as a surprise as both players are currently transfer-listed: Van Heusden at his own request since December after Shaun Marshall established himself as the first-choice 'keeper, and Cassidy since March after failing to establish himself in the first team after last summer's free transfer move from Liverpool.

23-year-old Chenery can perhaps count himself unfortunate to be released after some good performances when recalled to the first team earlier this year, but Jason Kavanagh is clearly the first choice for that position with England Under-18 defender Adam Tann his potential understudy. Chenery arrived on a free from Luton in July 1997 and has recorded 98 League appearances for the U's, scoring twice.

39-year-old Clive Wilson was released by Tottenham Hotspur last summer and was considering opening a restaurant when the call came to join the U's for pre-season training. He admirably filled the problematic left-back position until injuries took their toll and centre-half Marc Joseph has finished the season in that position. Willo played 26 league games this season and his manner and professionalism will have set a good example to the younger players who say they have enjoyed working with him. He is retiring after more than 20 years in the game.

Roy McFarland told the Cambridge Evening News, "I've told Ben and Ise (Van Heusden) I'll be releasing them, and they took it very well. They are good professionals who I'm sure will get other clubs. Ben did very well for us last season, but we feel Division Two football has been too much of a step up for him. We'll miss him in the changing room because he developed into one of the characters of the squad and made a big contribution in that respect.

"Ise came to us from Port Vale for first team football, but Shaun edged him out this season, and understandably at 27 he doesn't want to play second fiddle. Clive is looking to do other things now and is thinking about coaching. At his age after a great career it's becoming a bit too hard for him, especially as far as getting over the injuries are concerned.

"Jamie Cassidy I'm afraid didn't come up to expectations. He never really settled down in the area, which was a problem for him, and didn't show enough in training or reserve matches to force his way into our first team. He needs a move to kick-start his career and we've told him he can leave on a free transfer.

"Our season has shown us we need to strengthen the squad, and to do that we have to make space to bring people in."

The other anticipated departures are loanees Lionel Perez of Sunderland and Jon Hunt of Sheffield United. Perez in particular has become a cult hero in his eight games for Cambridge, while Hunt scored one of the U's goals of the season with his free kick at Cardiff, but there can be little hope of either of them staying permanently unless they agree to a massive cut in wages.