Barnsley's stalwart defender Stephen Foster has been released by the club.

 

The popular centre-half made 244 appearances in six seasons for the Reds, helping them to the FA Cup semi-finals in 2008 and the quarter-finals this year.

 

Foster, who turns 33 later this year, learned his fate in a meeting with boss David Flitcroft at Oakwell on Wednesday.

 

He wrote on Twitter: "We have shared some fantastic memories which will stay with me for a long time. I hope that it was obvious how much the club meant to me. I can't thank BFC fans enough."

 

Injury-hit Rob Edwards, winger Matty Done and youngster John Rooney have also been released, while the club has offered new deals to skipper Luke Steele, Martin Cranie, Bobby Hassell, Tom Kennedy, Jim McNulty, Tomasz Cywka and Jason Scotland. Marlon Harewood is another player out of contract, but his future is still undecided.