Five leave Watford as contracts expire

Five players have today left Vicarage Road after the expiration of their contracts.

Goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin, defender Tom James and midfielder’s Michael Byran, Josh Walker and Chez Isaac have all left Watford today.

Signed for a nominal free from Walsall in July 2010, Gilmartin never challenged Scott Loach’s status as number one and despite a brief two-game spell in the side this season, he was limited to cup appearances.

During his two years as a Goldenboy, Gilmartin made two league starts, and five cup starts.

Former non-league defender James made just the one substitute appearance as a Hornet, that coming in the 4-2 defeat of Bradford City in the F.A Cup 3rd round.

Winger Bryan, picked up on a free transfer after QPR deemed him ‘too small’, threatened to make a breakthrough on a number of occasions.

Ultimately though, a brief period in the first team late in the Autumn of 2010 comprised much of his career in WD18. The Northern Irish international made five league starts and seven substitute appearances; appearing twice as a cup substitute.

Former England youth international Walker never made any impact at Vicarage Road after arriving from Middlesbrough in 2010.

Six league substitute appearances and a league cup start were the sum total of Walker’s career at the Vic’ as he spent four loan spells away from the club.

Walker already has a free transfer move to Scunthorpe United agreed.

Finally, Isaac, who graduated through the club’s academy system never made an appearance for the Hornets, spending much of his solitary season as a pro’ out on-loan.

There is, as yet, no announcement on the future of Stephen McGinn who is also a free agent as of today.

Good luck to Rene, Tom, Michael, Josh and Chez in the future!