GILLINGHAM manager Ronnie Jepson has decided to release captain Chris Hope from the club along with six other out-of-contract players.

Hope, who joined Gills from Scunthorpe for £250,000 in 2000, departs along with Jon Wallis, Richard Rose, Mark Corneille, Akwashi Fobi-Edusei, Gavin Grant and Danny Knowles.

Talks are on-going with the club and Sheffield United’s Gary Mulligan, who spent several months on loan at the club, with a decision likely towards the end of the week.