CHRIS Wilder said that he would give “decent references” to clubs interested in signing Billy Turley, Kevin Sandwith, Chris Hargreaves and Franny Green “because they have been first class”.

Oxford United’s manager informed the out-of-contract quartet yesterday that they will not be offered new deals.

Lewis Chalmers and John Grant had already returned to Aldershot after their loan spells ended, while Jamie Cook has been told he can find another club.

His name is being circulated as being available for transfer.

Although there are no real surprises in the four players being released, it still marks the end of an era.

Goalkeeper Turley had been at Oxford since 2005 and made more than 170 appearances.

The larger-than-life character, a self-confessed Elvis fanatic, had been United’s No 1 for four years.

And even though he lost his place last season to Ryan Clarke, he still played a big part both in pushing Clarke to his remarkable tally of 25 clean sheets, and, with his often zany ways, in helping with the squad’s team spirit, which was to prove important in the final run-in.

Wilder said: “It is never easy telling players they are not being retained and all four of them are fantastic pros and great characters.

“They have all played a part for us and we wish them well.

“They have all been fantastic about it, going about it in the right way and not caused me a moment’s problem.

“But we’re trying to raise the standard and lift the bar.

“They’ll go and find themselves decent clubs and will get decent references from me as they’ve been first class.”

By the time next season starts, Turley will be 37, but Wilder is pretty sure he wants to carry on, somewhere.

“I think he’s still looking to play,” the manager said. “I think he was disappointed last season because he felt he had another season in him.

“If it was not for the form of Ryan, apart from his own goal at Wembley – that we keep reminding him about – he would have played.

“He was good back-up, good competition for Ryan to make sure his standards were high.

“There’s no doubt he’s fit enough and good enough to still play.”

Cook’s demise has been sad.

Signed from Crawley thanks to the 12th Man fund, Cook made a dream start on his return to his hometown club with a stunning goal against Luton at the Kassam Stadium, but was hardly used in the second half of the season.