Dover Athletic let midfielder Iffy Allen go and defender Charlie Naylor turns down contract as relegated Whites boss Jake Leberl confirms his retained and released list

Relegated Dover have confirmed the majority of their squad have been offered the chance to stay with the club as they prepare for Isthmian Premier football.

Jake Leberl’s Whites are set to return to playing at Step 3 for the first time in 15 years after coming bottom of the 2023/24 National League South table - a second relegation in three years.

Playmaker Iffy Allen is Dover’s only contracted player not to be offered renewed terms while defender Charlie Naylor has turned down a deal and decided to explore his options elsewhere.

They have taken up options to extend the contracts of forward Archie Hatcher, on trial with Blackburn, and fellow 18-year-old Henry Young, a midfielder.

Grenada right-back Roman Charles-Cook, midfielders George Wilkinson and Luke Baptiste, alongside striker George Nikaj, have been presented with fresh terms. Dover would be due compensation on the players if they opted to move to pastures new, given their respective ages under the Bosman rule.

Right-back John Oyenuga, young midfielder Freddie Oliver, centre-back Jacob Mensah, ex-Colchester midfielder Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, left-back Bailey Akehurst, forward Nick Dembele and young defender Matty Holness remain in talks with the club.

Former Gillingham forward Kai Garrett, attacking midfielder Kai Neil-Gray and forward Dontai Stewart have also been invited back to the Crabble club for pre-season.

Goalkeeper Matthew Rowley and defender Scott Holding have returned to Reading and Watford, respectively, after their Dover loan spells.

A club spokesman said: “We are grateful to all departing players for their contributions this season.”