SIMON GRAYSON wants experienced Huddersfield Town campaigners Ian Bennett, Alan Lee and Damien Johnson to stay and bolster next season’s Championship challenge.

And the boss is also offering fresh deals to 40-year-old Bennett’s fellow keeper Lloyd Allinson as well as popular utility man Tom Clarke.

But Clarke’s brother Nathan, Gary Naysmith, Gary Roberts, Danny Cadamarteri, Tommy Miller, Aidan Chippendale and Canadian keeper Simon Thomas will all leave the club.

So too will defender Greg Pearson, despite the fact that he still has a year of his current contract to run.

Meanwhile Nick Colgan is to become Town’s academy goalkeeping coach, a mandatory position under the new Elite Player Performance Plan, with the club keeping his playing registration open.

Of the eight to depart, both midfielder Miller and winger Roberts, who rejected a new contract offer last summer, featured in Saturday’s Wembley play-off final win over Sheffield United.

Centre-back Nathan Clarke came through Town’s academy and made the first of his 300 Town appearances at Stoke under Lou Macari in September 2001.

The 28-year-old fell out of favour under Grayson’s predecessor Lee Clark, who loaned him to Oldham then Bury this season.

Roberts, 28, was signed from Ipswich by Stan Ternent during the 2008 close-season and has played 192 times, scoring 39 goals.

Miller, 33, arrived from Sheffield Wednesday last summer and played his 33rd Town game on his first career appearance at Wembley.

Grayson said: “I’ve experienced the contrasting sides of football over the last few days, the positive of Saturday and the days since and then the negative when I’ve had to release players who have contributed massively throughout the season.

“But we have to make big decisions to go forward.

“It would have been a different scenario had we stayed in League 1, but as a Championship club we have made these decisions.

“All the players leave with a huge amount of respect from us, as they’ve been a joy to work with.

“They are great lads and the spirit within the dressing room has been fantastic, so both the experienced and younger players will get every possible help from us.”

On those staying, Grayson explained: “We’ve got the experience of the goalkeepers, who have been great to work with alongside Alex Smithies, as well as the potential of Lloyd Allinson.

“Damien Johnson showed his experience and quality when he came back into the team towards the end of the season and Alan Lee has great ability whereas Tom Clarke is an unsung hero and deserves his opportunity.

“A lot of players have left and the ones we will look to bring in will be good enough for the Championship.”

Don't forget to grab a copy of Thursday's Examiner - including your 16-page Huddersfield Town season review