Brown and Boyd released by Pools

Hartlepool strikers James Brown and Adam Boyd are among five players released by the club.

Brown has been dogged by various injuries in recent seasons and missed the last six games of the campaign due to a groin problem.

The majority of Boyd's 36 appearances this term have been made off the substitutes' bench.

Another striker, Colin Larkin, has also been told he no longer features in manager Neale Cooper's plans - he made only three first-team appearances this season - as have both defender Steve Haslam and forward Callum Hassam.

Midfield pair Paul Murray and Jordan Richards, goalkeeper Andy Rafferty and defender Evan Horwood will all remain at Victoria Park after the club exercised an extra year's option on their respective contracts.