Brighton & Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber has praised the club's players for their fantastic efforts during the 2013/14 campaign.
Following the announcement of the Seagulls’ retained list - which saw Bruno, Matthew Upson, Inigo Calderon and Casper Ankergren offered new deals - Barber paid tribute to every member of the squad that participated in the club’s run to the play-offs.
He also confirmed Albion will be looking to better last season’s achievements under a new manager.
Barber told seagulls.co.uk, “This is a club that is continuing to progress and continuing to have big ambitions of moving to the next level - that doesn’t change.
“It has been a difficult week - sometimes things don't work out as planned - but it has been a great season and we were delighted to make the play-offs. Obviously we were all disappointed with the result at Derby but life goes on and the business must continue.*
“Now we are into that period where everyone thinks we are asleep for the summer and actually, as last year, we are as busy as ever.*
“The most important thing at this point is to give the players as much clarity as soon as possible as they have done a phenomenal job this year.*
“This group of players have been incredible and this has been another very competitive Championship season and another hard slog.*
“They literally went to the 93rd minute of the last game to achieve what they deserved to achieve and we were thrilled for them. We all wanted one more game, and although that wasn't to be, it should not detract from a brilliant effort from all the players."*
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Chairman Tony Bloom has thanked the departing players, telling seagulls.co.uk, "On behalf of the club I would like to thank Peter, Will, Tomasz, Andrea, David Lopez and David Rodriguez for their efforts and wish them all the very best for the future.*
"I'd also like to thank the players who joined us on loan during the season - Stephen Ward, Keith Andrews, Leroy Lita, Jonathan Obika and Jesse Lingard - for their efforts and excellent professionalism."
He also confirmed the decisions had been under review for a number of weeks, adding, "It's obviously important we let the players know where they stand and give them clarity as early as possible - and we also have to inform the Football League of the players we intend to release by this Saturday.
"We had held off from making these decisions until now at the request of Oscar Garcia. He felt it was important for the unity within the squad in the final weeks of the campaign that we waited until the end of the season.
"However, it is not an immediate decision, that has been taken since Sunday's game. It is something which has been under discussion and review with Oscar for a number of weeks. The final decisions have been taken with input from David Burke, Nathan Jones and me."*
Original article
Following the announcement of the Seagulls’ retained list - which saw Bruno, Matthew Upson, Inigo Calderon and Casper Ankergren offered new deals - Barber paid tribute to every member of the squad that participated in the club’s run to the play-offs.
He also confirmed Albion will be looking to better last season’s achievements under a new manager.
Barber told seagulls.co.uk, “This is a club that is continuing to progress and continuing to have big ambitions of moving to the next level - that doesn’t change.
“It has been a difficult week - sometimes things don't work out as planned - but it has been a great season and we were delighted to make the play-offs. Obviously we were all disappointed with the result at Derby but life goes on and the business must continue.*
“Now we are into that period where everyone thinks we are asleep for the summer and actually, as last year, we are as busy as ever.*
“The most important thing at this point is to give the players as much clarity as soon as possible as they have done a phenomenal job this year.*
“This group of players have been incredible and this has been another very competitive Championship season and another hard slog.*
“They literally went to the 93rd minute of the last game to achieve what they deserved to achieve and we were thrilled for them. We all wanted one more game, and although that wasn't to be, it should not detract from a brilliant effort from all the players."*
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Chairman Tony Bloom has thanked the departing players, telling seagulls.co.uk, "On behalf of the club I would like to thank Peter, Will, Tomasz, Andrea, David Lopez and David Rodriguez for their efforts and wish them all the very best for the future.*
"I'd also like to thank the players who joined us on loan during the season - Stephen Ward, Keith Andrews, Leroy Lita, Jonathan Obika and Jesse Lingard - for their efforts and excellent professionalism."
He also confirmed the decisions had been under review for a number of weeks, adding, "It's obviously important we let the players know where they stand and give them clarity as early as possible - and we also have to inform the Football League of the players we intend to release by this Saturday.
"We had held off from making these decisions until now at the request of Oscar Garcia. He felt it was important for the unity within the squad in the final weeks of the campaign that we waited until the end of the season.
"However, it is not an immediate decision, that has been taken since Sunday's game. It is something which has been under discussion and review with Oscar for a number of weeks. The final decisions have been taken with input from David Burke, Nathan Jones and me."*
Original article