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The final nail appears to be firmly in the coffin of Ben Smith's Bulls career after he started pre-season training with Cheltenham Town.
The 30 year old played 151 times across two spells at Edgar Street, but was not formally offered a new deal by manager John Trewick after preliminary talks between the two. Trewick indicated in interviews that the door was left open, but the recent signings of Glen Southam and Jamie Tolley appear to have ended that opportunity.
Robins' boss Martin Allen told the local press: "We already have two good central midfield players in David Bird and Andrew Gallinagh, but Ben is more of an attacking player and is very good going forward. He would also give me the option of playing a three."
In other ex-Bull news Theo Robinson, or at least his agent, has been accused of 'shenanigans' by Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton over his on-off switch to the County Ground. Fitton, who claimed to have a verbal agreement with Watford over a £275,000 move, told the press: "We agreed a deal with the club and player but there are shenanigans going on that we have warned certain people about. This is a classic example of agents and greed."
Another former loanee Stephen Jennings is likely to become Jim Gannon's first signing at Motherwell. Now 24, and out of contract at Tranmere, he is expected to make the move north.
Meanwhile another ex-Bull will be on the move next season. Ryan Flynn, who joined the Bulls on loan but never made an appearance due to injury, will again be farmed out on loan this season after a spell at Wrexham last term.
