COWDENBEATH boss Gary Bollan has released nine players as he tries to assemble a squad which can get the Blue Brazil involved in moving up the Ladbrokes League 2 table after spending two seasons in the basement spot.

The manager and coaches Mark Fotheringham and Ian Flaherty spent last week assessing the players on board and deciding who they wanted to keep.

The club has full-back/midfielder Harvey Swann and front man Ryan Connelly, already signed up for next season along with striker Cammy Muirhead.

On Thursday he confirmed that a total of nine players would be offered contracts for next term.

Director David Allan thanked the nine lads and offered them the club's best wishes for the future: "We gratefully thank them for all their service to the club. We wish them well in their future careers". The players released were goalkeepers Blair Penman and Joe McGovern; defenders Matthew McInally, Shaun Rutherford, Ali Smith, Jordan Hornby and Scott Rumsby, plus attackers Jack Whittaker and Ben Reilly.

With loan players Blair Malcolm and Jordyn Sheerin having returned to their clubs it now means that that Cowden will look to offer contracts to experienced 'keeper Dave McGurn; defenders Fraser Mullen, Jamie Pyper and Bryan Gilfillan; midfielders Brad Smith and Kyle Miller and front men David Cox and Robbie Buchanan.

The manager is determined to improve the club's recent poor league returns and will look to bring in the type of players who can start putting together winning runs consistently.

He said that he hope that Bryan Gilfillan will consider continuing to play as his experience had been crucial in the closing league fixtures and the play-off final.

He added: "Bryan was a great organiser for us and it would be great if he would consider playing for us next term.

"Dave McGurn was also a stand-out so I am hoping that he will stay with the club."

The likes of Mullen, Pyper, Miller, Buchanan, Smith and Cox all were good contributors in the last quarter of the season so it is no surprise that they will be wanted by the club.

The manager added: "It means that we have to look for a number of players but it is important that we get the right people in.

"Montrose showed how putting together strings of good results created a momentum which saw them right up their challenging at the top of the table right to the bitter end and were rewarded with the title.

"We want to put together these sort of runs to get us into a much better position but to do that you need a good blend and that has to be our target as we start recruiting."

The manager will need at least eight players but he has already spoken to several candidates and hopes to name new signings over the next few weeks.