ORIENT boss Geraint Williams, who signed a new one-year contract just before Saturday s final game of the season, has wasted little time dismantling the squad, writes TREVOR DAVIES. The Welshman held meetings with the entire playing staff on Monday and TW

ORIENT boss Geraint Williams, who signed a new one-year contract just before Saturday's final game of the season, has wasted little time dismantling the squad, writes TREVOR DAVIES.

The Welshman held meetings with the entire playing staff on Monday and TWELVE of the 28-strong squad were released, while top-scorer Adam Boyd has been sold to Hartlepool.

Hitman Wayne Gray, midfielder Paul Terry as well as defenders Alton Thelwell, Brian Saah and Aiden Palmer were the biggest casualties.

Along with the eight players released and the departure of Adam Boyd, four of the players who were on loan at the club - Simon Church, Jordan Spence, Dean Morgan and Jimmy Smith - have returned to their parent clubs.

But four players have been offered new deals with Sean Thornton, Andrew Cave-Brown and Loick Pires all currently in negotiations with the club.

While Scott McGleish, who played a major role in guiding the club away from danger, has been offered the opportunity to stay at Brisbane Road.

The veteran striker, now in his third spell at Orient, initially joined on loan from League One bound Wycombe Wanderers, but is out of contract at Adams Park and can turn his loan move into a permanent deal.

There were few shocks when Williams announced his retained list.

Terry had forced his way back into contention under Williams, but will not be offered a new deal. During his two-year stint at the club, he made 81 appearances and scored just one goal.

While Wayne Gray also departs after missing the majority of the current season with a cruciate knee ligament injury. He picked up the problem against Carlisle in August and although he fought his way back to fitness, the striker has failed to hit the target this term.

Defender Saah departs after a six-year assocation with the club after making 110 appearances.

However, since Williams took control, Saah has not started a game and the exit of Thelwell comes as no surprise either.

Dogged by injury, the former Tottenham defender has been used sparingly by the new boss.

The departure of fellow defenders Danny Granville and Aiden Palmer also comes as no surprise.

Granville, released by Williams when he was manager at Colchester a year ago, has not featured in the squad since Boxing Day, while Palmer, who came through the youth team ranks at Orient, has also been out in the cold for the majority of the season.

However, the departure of top-scorer Boyd may raise a few eyebrows, after he agreed to join his hometown club Hartlepool for an undisclosed five-figure fee.

Top-scorer during his two seasons at Brisbane Road, Boyd netted 29 goals in 88 games for the O's. He signed a new contract during the course of the season, as he'd played enough games to trigger a new deal, but will now be joining Orient's League One rivals and is back where he started his career.

ALSO leaving Brisbane Road, is former player Wayne Burnett, who has been looking after the youth team on a temporary basis following the elevation of Kevin Nugent to the post of assistant manager.

Nugent, like Williams, has also signed a new deal at the O's and the club will be looking for a new youth team manager.