GOAL-of-the-season winner Eifion Williams and namesake Darren were yesterday among ten players released by Hartlepool United.

Long-serving midfielders Mark Tinkler and Darrell Clarke were also given free transfers, as boss Danny Wilson prepares his squad for next season's return to League One.

The departure of front-runner Eifion Williams is the biggest surprise. He netted seven times last season, including a memorable 25-yard volley in the 3-0 win at Darlington, a goal which, just hours before his release was announced, was enough to win him the goal-of-the-season award at the club's annual presentation night.

He joined Pools in March 2002 for £30,000 and scored 58 times in 256 games. The popular striker, who spent a season on the right wing in 2004/5, was top scorer in both 2002/3 and 2003/4 and memorably scored in the play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, which put Pools level with Sheffield Wednesday.

This season, he netted just six times and during his time at Victoria Park he has been substituted more times than any other player in the history of the club - 87.

Former Sunderland defender Darren Williams was put on the transfer list 12 months ago but stayed for the promotion season at Victoria Park. He made a total of 73 appearances in a blue and white shirt.

The 245th and final appearance for Tinkler after seven years at Victoria Park came in the 2-0 reverse at Rochdale in May. He has suffered from injuries but has been attracting interest from Scottish Premier side Falkirk.

Also freed were left-back John Brackstone, goalkeeper Tony Davison, central defender Carl Jones, Michael Proctor, Philip Turnbull and Craig Hignett.

Proctor has been on loan at Wrexham and scored two key goals in the final stages of the season to help keep the club in the Football League.

A permanent deal in North Wales is likely, where he could be joined by Eifion Williams, who was born in Anglesey.

There could be a further departure from the list, as Dimi Konstantopoulos is likely to reject the offer of a new deal and move on. He has a number of admirers from higher divisions, with Watford a likely destination.

Long-serving skipper Micky Barron, about to start his 11th season at the club, has been offered new terms, along with goalkeeper Jim Provett.

Options have been exercised by the club on Lee Bullock, Ben Clark, David Foley, Ritchie Humphreys, Michael Rae and Antony Sweeney and all will be staying at Victoria Park.