Two solid Burnley servants as we rose from the Championship to the Premiership will be departing Turf Moor for the last time this summer.
Top Clarets Dean Marney and Scott Arfield to end Turf Moor stay. https://t.co/bSoD6S4eAY
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 26, 2018
Manager Sean Dyche confirmed on Thursday that long-serving midfield duo Dean Marney and Scott Arfield would be departing as free agents over the summer when their existing contracts ran out.
It’s no great surprise in reality as we continue reshaping our squad having established ourselves in the top flight, especially in light of next season’s potential European adventure given our form and reliability this term.
It’s long been speculated that Arfield could be heading north to Rangers and he has been given permission to open talks with the Ibrox outfit. Similarly, Marney has received a fair amount of Championship interest and Burnley namecheck Nottingham Forest as being one of those and a potential future destination.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media this week, Dyche explained.
PREVIEW | "These are two players who've done a lot for this club…"
WATCH MORE ➡️ https://t.co/zakhul9RbC pic.twitter.com/L7ZpH0SCLB
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 26, 2018
“We have to allow these lads the right and the chance to align their futures and honour the fact they’ve been fantastic servants to us, as well. They have been a massive part of what we’ve done here and fantastic servants of Burnley Football Club. I have nothing but respect for the people and the players and, therefore, if we can help them along the way and be open-minded about their next moves, and who they’re speaking to, then we’ll certainly do that.”
34-year-old Marney is our second longest serving player after Kevin Long following his arrival from Hull City back in the summer of 2010. To date, he has 221 appearances for the club to his name and he was a regular as we won promotion in 2014 before his knee injury hampered him, and our chances, of survival the following year. Having returned to fitness, he once again played a part as we stormed to the Championship title and then established ourselves firmly in the top tier.
29-year-old Arfield will depart after five years with us and to date has 194 appearances to his name. Having impressed on a trial back in 2013 he arrived as a free agent and more than proved himself to be ‘value for money’ as he played his own part in our rise to the top.
Fans, of course, had their own tributes and thanks for the parts they both played in recent successes.
2 of my favourite players in recent times. Sad to see them go. What about an honest statement on Ben Mee's position now.
— Gumby (@clarettyke) April 26, 2018
We will never ever forget you Scotty boy…and Dean Marney also a true legend pic.twitter.com/VaLC6WWCN0
— Robert Benson (@hassyclaret) April 26, 2018
Not unexpected but sad to see them both leave. Both have been absolute stalwarts for the club during their time with us.
— vintage_soccerjerseys (@vtgsoccerjersey) April 26, 2018
Sad day for all us fans, they have been fantastic for us but moves they will have to make if we are pushing forward. All the best to both of them
— Andy Murray (@andymurray8472) April 26, 2018
Thanks for everything lads. Not unexpected, but both have played a huge part in where we are today. Model professionals. Thanks for the memories & best of luck for the future – you'll always be Clarets!
— Claret (@SussexClaretBFC) April 26, 2018
Absolutely gutted. Both have been fantastic servants for the club. Dean Marney will always be a cult hero and Scotty Arfield is one the best signings we have ever made. Hope we can give them a good send off and enjoy the European #deanmarneydisco #UTC
— Beci Higham (@DingleDangle87) April 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/JimmyP53/status/989534916978401283
Both lads have been great for the club, will be sad to see you both leave us, good luck.
— Charl 🏴🏴☠️ (@chazmac76) April 26, 2018
Sad to see both these great players move on. They have played over 400 games, combined, during our club’s most successful period in the last 40 years. Good luck to them both. Thank you Dean and Scott for your service to our club.
— John Gibaut (@eaglerising07) April 26, 2018