Former Walsall and Swindon Town Man Made Available For Transfer

Cheltenham Town manager Michael Flynn has admitted three players are free to leave the club, including former Swindon and Walsall midfielder Liam Kinsella.

Flynn spoke to press following his side’s 3-2 defeat at Grimsby Town, where they fought back from two goals down, only to concede in injury time. Jordan Davies and Charles Vernam gave the hosts the lead, but Luke Young and Matt Taylor equalled it up with eight minutes to go, only for Davies to net in injury time.

The Robins’ side was notable for the absence of both Kinsella and Tom Bradbury, and when pushed, Flynn admitted they were fit but not selected, and along with another player, they could leave the club.

“There have been no falling outs, or anything,” said the 43-year-old boss when asked by Gloucestershire Live. “Liam Kinsella, this is the third club I’ve had him and he’s a fantastic lad, good professional. Tom Bradbury has kept his head down and likewise Max Harris.

“It’s just been an honest conversation that if something comes up for them, they will be allowed to leave the football club. That happens everywhere. I got told that loads of times as a player.”

Flynn, who saw his current club defeat his former charges, Newport County, on the opening day, admitted that those players not only knew they could move on, but that they needed to before he could add to his current squad.

“The people who are available have been told and it hasn’t changed from when I have come in. I have been open and honest, it’s just where we’re at, at the moment,” he added. When asked if he had a deal waiting in the event of those exits, ‘yes, ready to go’ was his succinct reply.

The Robins suffered relegation last season, despite Darrell Clarke’s brave efforts in keeping them up. Flynn, who has also managed at Newport, Walsall and Swindon, is now tasked with keeping them around the top seven in a tough-looking League Two, and Kinsella would seem like the sort of player they could use in such a fight.

The 28-year-old made 253 appearances for Walsall during his time at the Bescot, 69 of which came in League One, and he was a two-time Player of the Year there. He appeared at that level 20 times for Cheltenham and has racked up 301 senior appearances, but is now seemingly on his way out at Whaddon Road.

Writer’s View

It seems odd that Flynn doesn’t want Kinsella as part of his squad, as he’s worked with him before. He managed the former Eire youth international at Walsall and made him one of his first signings at Swindon Town. Ten days after Flynn left Swindon, Kinsella moved to Cheltenham, wanting to be closer to Birmingham. It felt like he was one of Flynn’s lieutenants, but clearly not.

Possibly, his wage burden is influencing a possible move. Cheltenham won’t be the biggest spenders in League Two, and with a tight budget, perhaps the former Newport boss just wants to shuffle the deck, hoping to be able to find a formula that takes them back to the third tier.