Six former Colchester United players are on the annual 'unwanted' list released by the Professional Footballers' Association.

Promotion play-off heroes Carl Emberson - goalkeeper and man-of-the-match in the 1998 Wembley final - his Luton Town team-mate Aaron Skelton and Darlington's Simon Betts - also U's play-off winners - are just three ex-Layer Road stars who have been handed free transfers by their clubs.

Mark Walton has been released by Cardiff City, who have been promoted to the First Division, as has fellow goalkeeper Scott Barrett - a key member of the U's FA Trophy and Conference double-winning team - and defender Anthony Allman.

Barrett has already been snapped up by Ryman League premier division club, Grays Athletic, as assistant manager to his former Leyton Orient team-mate Mark Stimpson.

A list of 589 Premiership and Football League players who are out of contract at the end of the month including U's striker Kevin Rapley and midfielder Marc Canham has been released by the PFA with a number of players capped at international level included.

Layer Road boss Phil Parkinson, who is looking to strengthen his squad following the retirement and release of six players at the end of last season, said: "It will be interesting to look at the full list.

"We already know a lot of the players who have been made available and we will be looking to operate with a similar squad to last season."

All players handed free transfers will be officially available from June 31.

Published Tuesday, June 3, 2003

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