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The Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Leyton Orient release EIGHT players including former Premier League star, 40, after play-off final heartbreak
FORMER Premier League star Darren Pratley has been released by Leyton Orient aged 40. The midfielder had been a stalwart in Richie Wellens' side for the last four years, helping them reach the League One play-offs where they lost in the final to Charlton. 2 2 He turned 40 in April and the club paid tribute to his career, and his contribution to Orient's League Two title win in 2023. Pratley played in the Premier League for Bolton and he made 202 appearances for the Trotters. His best years came at Swansea where he won promotion to the Prem via the play-offs in 2011 - he also won League One with the Swans in 2008. Pratley helped Bolton win promotion from the third tier in 2017, and repeated that feat two years later with Charlton. Orient have released seven other players, including another ex-Bolton star Randell Williams, who joined on a short-term contract in January. Jayden Sweeney, Joe Pigott, Sam Howes, Rhys Byrne, Reon Smith-Kouassi and Thomas Avgoustidis have also been released. While five players have left the club upon the expiration of their loan deals - Tottenham pair Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley, Dillan Markanday, Jack Currie and 27-goal striker Charlie Kelman. Two more players, Theo Archibald and Jordan Graham, will continue at the club on an out of contract basis as they continue their rehabilitation on long-term ACL injuries. Manager Richie Wellens said: 'Each and every one of my players gave me absolutely everything this season, and they have all been a pleasure to work with. 'This group has been special – one of the best I have ever worked with as a player or manager – and that makes these decisions even tougher. EFL club release 'gorgeous work of art' kit and even rival fans want to buy it 'This summer, we will say goodbye to some players who have been with us for a long time, and I can only thank them for their service to our football club. They have played a huge role in our climb up the ladder, and I wish them all the very best for the future. 'Jordan Graham and Theo Archibald put their bodies on the line for us and we will continue to support them throughout their recovery from injury by having them around the training ground. 'I'm looking forward to seeing them both back playing again, be that with us or someone else.'
The Irish Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Leyton Orient release EIGHT players including former Premier League star, 40, after play-off final heartbreak
FORMER Premier League star Darren Pratley has been released by Leyton Orient aged 40. The midfielder had been a stalwart in Richie Wellens' side for the last four years, helping them reach the League One play-offs where they lost in the final to Charlton. 2 Darren Pratley has been released by Leyton Orient Credit: Getty 2 Josh Keeley and Jamie Donley have returned to parent club Spurs after their loans expired Credit: Getty He turned 40 in April and the club paid tribute to his career, and his contribution to Orient's League Two title win in 2023. Pratley played in the Premier League for Bolton and he made 202 appearances for the Trotters. His best years came at Swansea where he won promotion to the Prem via the play-offs in 2011 - he also won League One with the Swans in 2008. Pratley helped Bolton win promotion from the third tier in 2017, and repeated that feat two years later with Charlton. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Jayden Sweeney, Joe Pigott, Sam Howes, Rhys Byrne, Reon Smith-Kouassi and Thomas Avgoustidis have also been released. While five players have left the club upon the expiration of their loan deals - Tottenham pair Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley, Dillan Markanday, Jack Currie and 27-goal striker Charlie Kelman. Two more players, Theo Archibald and Jordan Graham, will continue at the club on an out of contract basis as they continue their rehabilitation on long-term ACL injuries. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Manager Richie Wellens said: 'Each and every one of my players gave me absolutely everything this season, and they have all been a pleasure to work with. 'This group has been special – one of the best I have ever worked with as a player or manager – and that makes these decisions even tougher. EFL club release 'gorgeous work of art' kit and even rival fans want to buy it 'This summer , we will say goodbye to some players who have been with us for a long time, and I can only thank them for their service to our football club. They have played a huge role in our climb up the ladder, and I wish them all the very best for the future . 'Jordan Graham and Theo Archibald put their bodies on the line for us and we will continue to support them throughout their recovery from injury by having them around the training ground. 'I'm looking forward to seeing them both back playing again, be that with us or someone else.'
BBC News
02-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Pratley, 40, not offered new Orient playing deal
Leyton Orient will not offer 40-year-old Darren Pratley a new playing contract but are in talks with the veteran midfielder about another role, the League One club O's finished sixth in the league this season and reached the play-off final, where they were beaten by London rivals Charlton at was not involved in any of the O's play-off matches but made 43 appearances this season, and 165 in total for the club over four seasons."Darren Pratley has been a huge part of what we have achieved in the last few years," director of football Martin Ling told the club's website, external. "We won't be offering him a new playing contract but would love to keep him in and around us, so are speaking to him about another role. We hope he decides to stay but will respect whatever decision he comes to." Beckles, Agyei and Ball in contract talks Pratley is one of eight players who have been released by the O's at the end of their contracts, along with Jayden Sweeney, Randell Williams, Joe Pigott, Sam Howes, Rhys Byrne, Reon Smith-Kouassi, Thomas Wellens said after the final loss it was "heart-breaking" knowing the squad would be broken up, with loan stars Charlie Kelman, Josh Keeley, Jack Currie, Jamie Donley and Dilan Markanday all returning to their parent clubs."Our loan players have been fantastic this year, and I'm sure that they will all go on to have successful careers, wherever they may end up," Ling Beckles, Dom Ball and Dan Agyei are among the players in contract talks with the Simpson, Noah Phillips and Makai Welch have also held talks."We are in talks with a number of first-team players about new contracts and hope that these players will decide to stay with us," Ling added. "We are building something good at the club and want them to continue being part of it. "It is a very important summer for us, and all the decisions we have made – some of which have been very difficult – have been made with the future of Leyton Orient in mind."
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Darren Pratley surveys some of his Bolton highs and lows ahead of play-off final
THE Championship has meant mixed emotions for Darren Pratley during a long playing career but tomorrow he will feel nothing but joy if he can help Leyton Orient into the second tier for the first time in 43 years. Back in his Bolton Wanderers days the midfielder, now 40, had swapped play-off success with Swansea City to jump aboard a side which was seemingly on the up under Owen Coyle. But Pratley's time with the Whites did not get off to the best start and the club slumped out of the top-flight before he found a proper foothold, serving as captain for Neil Lennon. Financial issues dropped Bolton down another level but Pratley then came good again for Phil Parkinson and helped them to promotion in 2016/17, also playing a part in the following year's miraculous escape from relegation. Reflecting on the dramatic 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest that sealed survival on the final day, Pratley recalled: 'It was crazy. An amazing game. I came off around the 60th minute when it was still 0–0 – and it ended up finishing 3-2. 'The atmosphere at the club was unbelievable. [Aaron] Wilbraham scored the winner. People questioned his age and his performances. I remember when the starting XI came out and he was in it, there were a few grumbles, like, 'We're starting a 38-year-old up top?' But he was brilliant that day. 'He helped keep the club up, and the scenes after – when he ripped his shirt off and all the fans ran on the pitch – that felt like a turning point.' The Nottingham Forest win actually proved Pratley's last appearance of 203 in a Bolton shirt, which arrived in three different divisions. Looking back on his decision to jump to Bolton after Swansea's play-off final win in 2011, the midfielder admitted it might not have been the right call. He said on behalf of SkyBet: 'Bolton were an established Premier League club and it was a manager [Owen Coyle] who knew me. I wasn't going somewhere where the manager didn't have a clue who I was. I'd played against his Burnley side quite a bit and done well, so I ended up going to Bolton. 'In hindsight, it probably wasn't the greatest move, if I'm honest. We got relegated that first season, and Swansea ended up staying up on the last day. But at the time, it felt like the right step – going to a solid Premier League team. One moment of Pratley's time with Bolton in the Premier League which still stands out is March 17, 2012, the night of an FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham at White Hart Lane where Fabrice Muamba went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the pitch and in the ambulance on the way to hospital. The incident affected every corner of the club but more than a decade on, Pratley is happy to say he still bumps into his former team-mate from time to time in football circles. 'I've seen Fab a couple of times – on player visits and bits like that when he was working with the PFA,' he said. 'That moment at Tottenham was probably the worst experience I've ever had in football – maybe even in life, to be honest. It really affected me. 'I was on the pitch when he collapsed. Seeing a teammate go through that in front of you – it's hard to put into words how much that stays with you. 'But at the same time, it became one of the best moments – just seeing him survive, seeing him come through it. That meant everything. He's coaching now at Bolton, and I wish Fabs all the best – he deserves it.' Pratley hopes to help Leyton Orient into the Championship via the play-off final at Wembley on Sunday, coming up against another of his former clubs, Charlton Athletic. 'With my experience I can hopefully help the group,' he said. 'Keeping them calm. We had a couple of days away in Portugal just to take our minds off of it, did a bit of training over there, and it was good. If you are at home and thinking about the game 24-seven then it can become overwhelming, so hopefully my experience can keep them calm.' Pratley played for Charlton against Sunderland in the play-off final in 2019, which ended with a 2-1 win and Patrick Bauer claiming the decisive strike late on. 'Two great clubs and it's a bit disappointing both of us can't go up,' he added.
