Speaking in the Bournemouth Evening Echo, Kevin Bond is quoted as saying: "I've spoken to Steve about it and from his point of view, it will be disappointing but I now have four strikers and the young boys deserve their chance for what they've already done. They've shown real ability and the fact that they can cope with the physical demands of League One football so I won't be renewing Steve's contract. Brett and Sam have done brilliantly for us since they've been involved with the first-team. The young boys now deserve to be recognised as first-team players and they have both come on in massive leaps and bounds over the past month or so".
The Club is insisting that the initial move was not a publicity stunt for Claridge to clock up 1000 appearances!