Hatters’ boss Nathan Jones continued with the reorganisation of the squad today by agreeing the mutual early termination of contracts for Elliot Justham and Matt Robinson.
The duo, who are contracted through to the summer of 2017 have now been released and are free to pursue their careers away from Kenilworth Road.
Elliot Justham joined Town in July 2013, having previously played at East Thurrock and served as understudy to Mark Tyler eventually making 40 appearances for the Club including 16 this season.
Nathan Jones explains the situation: ‘I spoke to Elliot at the end of the season to explain that I would be bringing in another goalkeeper and he asked if I could guarantee him regular first team football – I said I couldn’t and we talked through the situation. A few days later he approached me and said that he wants to play regular senior football – something I understand but cannot guarantee here – and we eventually agreed that it might be best for all parties if he left the Club.’
Matt Robinson arrived at Kenilworth Road in July 2012 having been released by Leicester City and has made a total of 46 senior appearances, scoring three goals in the four years he has been with the Hatters. Having found first team football hard to come by he has spent much of the last two seasons on loan at Kidderminster, Grimsby and Woking.
Jones explains why Robinson has been allowed to leave the Club early: ‘Matt has not been involved with the first team this season and at just shy of his 22nd birthday it is important that he doesn’t spend another season in limbo – he needs to be playing regularly and establishing his career again. We had a good chat – he understands my position and I certainly respect his need to move on – so it was an easy decision in the end.’
‘Both lads have been excellent professionals and haven’t caused me any problems whatsoever – each of their circumstances are slightly different, but in the end we felt, in each case, that it is the right thing to do for Luton Town Football Club and the players themselves. I hope they each go on to enjoy the next chapters in their careers’.
Following the release of nine players at the end of their contracts last week, the Town squad will have a different look and feel to it at the start of 2016-17 as Nathan Jones looks to shape the squad to meet his demands.
It looks as if it will be a busy summer.
Everyone at Luton Town would like to wish Elliot and Matt all the very best in their future careers.