THE defender exodus has continued with Scott Butler leaving Wrexham following the expiry of his contract.

Phil Parkinson announced his retained list earlier this month but the decision on Butler’s future was deferred until the end of his successful loan spell with Marine.

Butler helped Marine secure promotion to National League North after winning 2-1 at Robbie Savage’s Macclesfield in the Northern Premier League play-off final but the 21-year-old has been informed by Parkinson that he will not be offered a new deal and has been released.

After starting his youth career at Wrexham, Butler, who hails from Ruabon, had a spell with Swansea City before returning to The Racecourse during the 2022/23 season. 

He made his senior Reds' debut in an FA Trophy tie at Altrincham in January 2023, and also represented Wrexham Red Dragons at TST last summer.

Butler, who can play at full-back and centre-back, began this season on loan at Nantwich Town before moving to Marine in January but Parkinson, who is preparing for Wrexham's return to League One after clinching a second promotion in a row for the first time in the club's history, says the player is not part of his plans going forward.

"We've decided to release Scott," said the Reds' boss.

"I just think the time is right for him to move on.

"He has had a taste of men's football now with Nantwich and Marine but with us going up a division, I didn't feel he was going to get close to our first-team.

"The progression for Scott now is to go and have a full season and continue his development elsewhere."

Butler joins eight players who were released by Wrexham at the start of May.

Ben Tozer, Aaron Hayden, Jordan Tunnicliffe, Callum McFadzean and Dan Davies, who all play in defence, have not been offered new contracts along with goalkeeper Rob Lainton, captain Luke Young - the longest serving player in the squad - and midfielder Owen Cushion.