Milton Keynes Dons’ Karl Robinson has confirmed that some players have played their last games for the team after the 2-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Matt Upson alongside others that include Nicky Maynard, Alex Revell, Anthony Kay, Cody Cropper, Jordan Spence, Carl Baker and Charlie Burns do not have deals extending into next season, though most will know by now whether they will be playing at stadium:mk again next season.
An announcement is expected as to the future of those eight players.
Robinson said:
“It’s about us rebuilding now. The line is drawn. For as quick as I forgot about the emotions of promotion, I’ve got to forget relegation.
“We’ve seen the end of some of the players, we’ll know at the beginning of next week.
“There’s no right way of doing it, but we’ve shown them a lot of respect. I have thanked them all for their hard work and dedication this season,” he added.
The final game of the Championship season was a dead rubber for both sides, though with two goals inside the opening 20 minutes, it could have turned into a tasty affair to give the season a good send off.
But despite Nicky Maynard cancelling out Chris Cohen’s opener, Danny Fox’s red card for a high tackle on Spence shortly before half time ended it as a spectacle.
At the end of the game, Robinson thanked the fans for sticking by his side throughout what has proven to be a disappointing campaign in the second tier. He added:
“Of the 11,000 or so fans here today, who already knew we were relegated, 80 per cent stayed until the end. And that’s who we’re playing for. Through thick and thin, they’ll stick with us.
“Next year, part of our team talk will be to remember the fans who stayed and showed what true supporters are about.”