THEO VASSELL was "shocked" that he wasn't offered a new deal by Wrexham after having a "good season" for the Reds.

The centre-back arrived at The Racecourse last summer and made 31 National League appearances, impressing at the heart of the defence as Wrexham just missed out on a place in the play-offs.

Supporters are surprised that Vassell was not given a contract extension with club advisors deciding on the retained list after parting ways with manager Dean Keates on Sunday.

Although he wasn't taking it for granted that he was part of Wrexham's plans for the future, Vassell nonetheless felt he had done enough to be kept on.

"We had no manager to make the decision so I don't know what has happened there," said Vassell, who had spells with Chester, Gateshead, Port Vale and Macclesfield before he was brought in by Keates.

"I am shocked myself to be honest but it is what it is.

"I thought I did enough to get a new deal.

"I thought I had a good season and I enjoyed it at Wrexham but going forward, I won't be around.

"It is one of those things but it is not the end of the world."

It was announced in February that the club was not going to offer any contracts to senior players before the end of the season.

Vassell says he was approached about the possibility of extending his stay before that announcement.

"The club offered me a new deal in February but then the club turned around and said they didn't want to offer anyone new deals," said Vassell.

"Now it has come to this so it's a bit strange."

Vassell, who also scored three goals in his one season at The Racecourse, was disappointed Wrexham never finished in the top-seven, with the defender adding: "We were unlucky."