Torquay United manager Gary Johnson will be planning for life without Jamie Reid and Kalvin Kalala in the 2020-21 National League campaign, as the duo both turned down new offers to stay at Plainmoor.
Torquay-born Reid had previously enjoyed three spells on loan with his hometown club in the 2014-15, 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns before joining the Gulls on a permanent basis in September 2017. However, it was the arrival of Johnson as manager in September 2018 which Reid's career with the Gulls in an upward trajectory. He found the back of the net 32 times in all competitions as United clinched the 2018-19 National League South title, and he scored another 21 goals in all competitions in the 2019-20 campaign back in the National League.
Parisian Kalala, 22, had previously appeared for Johnson at Cheltenham Town and soon followed Johnson to Plainmoor and he scored 13 goals in 68 appearances for United - including the Gulls' fastest league goal after 10 seconds away to St Albans City on the final day of the 2018-19 season.
Of the released players, Ryan Dickson had already spent most of the season on loan at Truro City in the Southern League Premier South - a move that he will possibly make permanent in the close season. Local youngster Josh Baxter was at the club on non-contract terms and hadn't featured under Johnson whilst Lewington, who joined midway through the season from Tiverton Town, saw his progress hampered with a concussion injury but Johnson felt at the age of 25 he needed first team football.
The eight who have agreed new deals to stay with the club include goalkeeper Shaun McDonald, vice captain Kyle Cameron, Ben Wynter, Liam Davis, skipper Asa Hall, Ben Whitfield, Aaron Nemane and Matt Buse. Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Covolan, midfielders Armani Little and Jake Andrews and first year pros Louis Slough and Olaf Koszela were already under contract.
Agreed new deals: Shaun MacDonald, Ben Wynter, Liam Davis, Kyle Cameron, Asa Hall, Ben Whitfield, Aaron Nemane, Matt Buse
Released: Ryan Dickson, Josh Baxter, Jared Lewington
Turned down the offer of a new contract: Kalvin Kalala, Jamie Reid
Already under contract: Lucas Covolan, Armani Little, Jake Andrews, Louis Slough, Olaf Koszela
