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FORMER Forest Green captain Chris Giles has revealed his utter shock following his free transfer.

Giles said: "I thought I was being called in to discuss next season, so I was completely shocked when the gaffer (Jim Harvey) told me I would be leaving."

Despite his initial shock, Giles holds no animosity towards Forest Green and Harvey.

"Jim and I shook hands. I totally respect him and have learned a great deal from him as a player.

"Forest Green are a great club with a good bunch of lads.

"The fans were always decent with me. I will miss everyone connected with the club."

Despite injury niggles in the latter part of the season, Giles, 26, managed to rack up 41 appearances and five goals, including a memorable header in the FA Cup first round replay victory at Rotherham.

He added: "I played more than 40 games and had a really good start to the season, but during the latter part of the season I picked up a hamstring and quad niggle-which was very frustrating."

Giles is unsure where his next move in football will be - he is currently working for a property developer in Somerset.

"To be released is a worry, but that is the harsh reality of football at this level."

However, the Gazette understands Giles is courting interest from clubs at League Two and Blue Square Premier level.

The popular 26-year-old defender is joined by striker Danny Carey-Bertram, winger Lee Dodgson and defenders Anthony Tonkin, Mark Preece and youngster Lorcan Sheehan in an end of season clear-out.

Meanwhile, top scorer Stuart Fleetwood, who netted 34 goals, has been offered terms but Rovers expect him to leave when his contract ends this summer.

Fleetwood is now rumoured to be interesting Championship side Charlton Athletic.

However, boss Harvey has insisted he is staying at the New Lawn despite the rumours linking him with the vacant manager's job at Stevenage Borough.

He said: "It's a super place for me to come into work and I really enjoy it - we just need some more fans to come in to make it a little bit easier, to give us a chance to compete against the bigger teams in the league."

Was Harvey right to release Chris Giles? Post your views below

8:10am Thursday 8th May 2008

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