FIACRE KELLEHER admits he is still unsure why he has been released by Wrexham.

The 25-year-old centre-back, who joined the Reds last summer following the demise of previous club Macclesfield Town, was out of contract at the end of the 2020-21 season and has not been offered a new deal.

Having seen manager Dean Keates leave The Racecourse after Wrexham failed to secure a play-off spot, club advisors helped assemble the retained list.

But Kelleher, who impressed in the heart of the defence and only missed one league game all campaign, has not been kept on and he is unclear why.

"It is disappointing but it is one of those things," said Kelleher. "I have just got to get on with it.

"It clearly wasn't based on performances as far as I am concerned anyway.

"I wasn't really given any reason behind it and why they were doing it which I thought was a bit unfair so I am not too sure why I was released.

"I am disappointed that I am not part of the club anymore and the way I was treated at the end wasn't great so from that point of view, I am quite happy to get out of there."

Supporters have voiced their surprise at Kelleher not being given a new contract and he is grateful for their backing.

"It is nice to hear that and I can only thank them for their support," said Kelleher.

"I stay off social media as much as I can so I wasn't sure how well I was received with not having fans in the stadium.

"It has been a strange year but the fans that I have met have been very kind to me.

"Being at Wrexham is an experience that I loved so from that point of view it is sad that it ended."

With Shaun Pearson missing the start of the season after undergoing foot surgery and also sidelined later in the campaign following an injury set-back, Kelleher found himself playing as the middle centre-back when Keates favoured a three-man defence.

Kelleher played as the right-sided centre-back when Pearson returned for the run-in and he felt he was more effective in the central position.

"I have done the best I can and I am happy with that," said Kelleher.

"I played really well up until Christmas. I think I played my better football in the middle of the back three.

"When I moved to the right, I personally don't think I effected the game as well as I did when I played in the middle but it was good to play alongside Shaun."

Wrexham needed to win at Dagenham and Redbridge on the final day to secure a play-off spot but the 1-1 draw means the Reds are preparing for a 14th season in non-league.

Although they came up short, Kelleher says the players gave it their best shot.

"We can hold our heads high," said Kelleher, who has also played at this level for Solihull Moors.

"We gave it our best effort."