For 13 Bristol Rovers players, Thursday marked the end of an era as their stints in BS7 came to an end with the publication of the club's retained list.
Glenn Whelan was the headline departure, with fans disappointed and somewhat surprised after manager Joey Barton declared his desire for the 92-cap Republic of Ireland international to remain at the club for another year.
Cian Harries, Leon Clarke, Junior Brown, Jon Nolan, Cameron Hargreaves, Brett Pitman, Ben Liddle and Pablo Martinez will also be released when their contracts expire next month, while homegrown talents Ollie Hulbert, Kieran Phillips, Tom Mehew and Lucas Tomlinson were also let go.
Defender Harries, who made 56 appearances across his two-and-a-half-year spell with the club, led the reaction on social media. Supporters responded with best wishes for the future and thanks for his efforts, particularly his stunning goal at Mansfield Town on the opening day of the season.
Harries made 21 appearances for the Gas in 2021/22, but his final appearance came in February after falling out of contention following James Connolly's emergence.
Luke Thomas, who has returned to parent club Barnsley after his season-long loan stint with the Gas, responded to his former teammate.
Harries remained a popular member of the squad despite his limited role on the pitch in the run-in.
Gasheads were left disappointed by Phillips' exit, with a sense of potential not being realised. High turnover of managers and the development squad being disbanded did not help the youngster's cause, but he looks ahead to a new chapter in his young career.
He had spent much of the season on loan in the Southern League, scoring freely for Swindon Supermarine and it will be intriguing to see what level he finds himself at next season.
There was better news for left-back Sam Heal, meanwhile. The academy graduate has endured a miserable time with a serious knee injury soon after signing his first professional contract last summer. Now recovered, Heal has been handed a new six-month contract to prove himself in the first team.
Heal spent a brief period on loan at Salisbury before the end of the season and is ready to go for pre-season.
Whelan may have spent only one season with the Gas, but he will be remembered incredibly fondly by supporters for his contribution on and off the field in the promotion.
Signing as a 37-year-old, there were doubts about his role in the squad, but he has proved to be a signing of immense value for Barton. If this is the end of his playing days, a bright career in coaching surely awaits.
His wife, Karen, thanked supporters for their kind messages after his release.
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