I'd say that's what is freed up for the rest of this year, for a full year it will be much more. The average S/C wage is £80k, taken from when the cap (at £1.6M) and the 20/20 was in place. I'd say that Sutcliffe, Mellor and Walker will all have been on at least the average so that's at least £240k and then Broadbent probably around £30k, making the total £270k saving.

If we also manage to offload Thompson (say £75k), Dwyer (say £90k) and Briscoe (say £80k) that's a total saving of £515k, but some will have been dished out on upgraded contracts for younger players etc. If all these players leave we must have room for at least 2 good standard starting players to come in, and still add a squad player or two.

Great information. Well worked out…..

This has all the hallmarks of some Hetherington master plate spinning.

Surely we cant go back to Briscoe for an option for centre.

It was reported that he was being offered out to Championship and other SL teams for next year, so I doubt it. Could see him being used as cover for the rest of the season if the Sutcliffe rumour turns out to be true.

Just listened to the Matt Shaw & Aaron Bower Facebook live video and they rubbished the rumour of Sutcliffe going anywhere this season

Sutcliffe's best position might well be centre, but he's certainly not the best centre at the club (or stand-off, or second row, etc). I can only assume if we want to keep him it is for his utility value in an injury crisis, or coming off the bench at a push.

Interesting Batley, thanks. Deffo some master GH reshuffling going on here... needs to get us back to the business end sharpish.

Hetherington is undoubtedly on board and clever at manoeuvring to sort out cap space etc, but clearly Smith has been given the clout to finally shift some of our barnacle-like duffers. The whole vibe of the squad has changed from 'do your best lads' to only wanting players who can deliver, and the kind of changes that should have happened way back when Furner came in are finally being made. No guarantee of success but it feels a lot more exciting than what we've had to put up with for years.

Luke Thompson would be nice if his club paid half is wages.