Bristol Rovers today announced their retained list and revealed that Danny Wodoards, Wayne Brown and Jim Paterson have been offered new contracts.

Negotiations are now well underway with those three players, and the manager hopes that they will join Eliot Richards and Ollie Clarke who signed their deals last month.

Mark told bristolrovers.co.uk: "We were thrilled that Eliot Richards and Ollie Clarke accepted their offers and signed new contracts last month.

"I was very disappointed that Gary Sawyer decided to turn down our offer, but we wish him every success for the future.

"Danny was our player of the season and we definitely want to keep him.

"A large part of what I am trying to do this summer is put together as close to a League One side as I can. This should give us the best chance of going up and then require the least of amount of surgery the following summer.

"Danny definitely falls into that category, as I believe he is capable of playing in the Championship."

The manager says that negotiations are going well with Jim Paterson, while Wayne Brown has been offered a short-term contract to try and prove himself.

Mark said: "I have known Jim a long time, but I threw down the gauntlet to him when he came here.

"I wanted him to prove himself, and I think he has. He has been very consistent, and his attitude has been brilliant. He has also endeared himself to the fans, which is very important.

"We have offered Wayne Brown a short term contract as a chance to prove himself after his injury.

"His attitude has been fantastic, so this will be a challenge now for him to prove he is worthy of another contract."

Nine players will be leaving the club, including our current longest serving player Byron Anthony.

Mark said: "I know a lot of people at the club liked Byron, but it is my job to make these decisions, and I think the circumstances have changed.

"When Byron went out on loan, I think we both realised that he would not be in my future plans, but he is the sort of player who will be of interest to other clubs."

And the manager has been taking time out to offer help and advice to some of those players moving on.

He said: "I have spoken at length to Scott McGleish, as he has come to the stage of his career where he needs to decide what he wants to do next.

"He still wants to continue playing, but he is also interested in starting coaching, and although we cannot offer him a position here, I have offered him help and encouragement.

"I also suggested that Charlie Reece should look to America and college football. They play at a good standard, and he will also have the chance to earn a degree.

"It is what my son did, and I think that Charlie would do well in that environment."

And the manager was delighted to offer four second year scholars their first professional contracts.

He said: "It is unusual to offer as many as four contracts, but it is testament to the success of our youth department.

"It is very important for the boys down the line to see these players coming through and being offered contracts, as that will encourage good young players to join Rovers in the future.

"It is really important that we have this production line, and I do believe all four players genuinely have a chance of making it."