SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has started to plan for next season with seven players being offered new contracts and eight being released.

Blues will be in the National League next season after suffering back to back relegations.

And Brown’s squad is already starting to take place.

Right back Elvis Bwomono, midfielders Jason Demetriou and Timothee Dieng, left-back Sam Hart, centre-back Shaun Hobson, winger Ricky Holmes and goalkeeper Mark Oxley have all been offered new deals with their current contracts due to expire.

The Shrimpers have also taken up options on the contracts of midfielders Jon Benton and O’Shane Stewart, left-back Tom Clifford, winger Terrell Egbri, right-back Rob Howard, striker Matt Rush and goalkeeper Harry Seaden.

However, eight players will be heading out of Roots Hall.

Strikers Emile Acquah and Brandon Goodship have both not been offered new deals along with defender Harry Kyprianou, midfielders Alan McCormack, Jacob Mellis and Michael Klass, left-back Ide Osimeh and defender Richard Taylor.

Tyler Cordner, Kyle Taylor, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and James Olayinka have all returned to their parent clubs after their loan deals expired.

And a club spokesman wished those leaving well.

“We would like to thank all of the departing players for their efforts during their time at the club,” said the spokesman.

“We wish them the best of luck as they move on to pastures new.”

Discussions with Greg Halford will take place when his contract expires on June 17 while injured duo Harry Lennon and Nathan Ralph will continue their rehabilitation with the club before Brown can assess them both during pre-season.

John White, Nathan Ferguson, Harry Phillips, Lewis Gard, Miles Mitchell-Nelson, Eren Kinali, Simeon Akinola, Ashley Nathaniel-George and Louis Walsh all remain under contract while Reiss Chandler has been offered a professional deal.