FORMER captain Andy Sandell says ‘bad things could happen’ to Newport County AFC after he was one of 13 players to leave the club yesterday.

The 31-year-old defender was one of 12 players released by manager Terry Butcher, while midfielder Adam Chapman rejected the offer of a new deal.

Darren Jones, who took over as skipper from Sandell last season, Ryan Jackson and Andrew Hughes have all been offered new contracts but they too could head for the exit at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles currently have just four senior players signed up for next season – goalkeeper Joe Day, defender Kevin Feely and midfielders Mark Byrne and Yan Klukowski.

They are joined by academy youngsters Kieran Parselle, Tom Owen-Evans and Aaron Collins but, with Butcher set to bring in a host of players this summer, Sandell is worried about how County will fare next season.

“Releasing so many players, it's going to take time for all those new players to gel,” he said.

“Football's a short season and if they don't gel quickly bad things can happen.

“But hopefully for the club... everyone starts working with each other and hopefully they'll have more success in the future.”

Former England captain Butcher succeeded Justin Edinburgh, who left for Gillingham in February.

County chairman Les Scadding says Butcher will have less money at his disposal than predecessor Edinburgh.

Jimmy Dack had been in charge following Edinburgh's departure and Sandell said a reduced budget was a factor in the caretaker manager's decision to turn down the offer of a permanent role.

“When you do cut the budget like they have it becomes difficult,” Sandell told BBC Wales Sport.

“I think that's one of the main reasons why Jimmy distanced himself from the job.”

Sandell was a member of the Newport side which secured promotion to the Football League with a 2-0 win over Wrexham in the Conference play-off final in 2013.

He was surprised and disappointed at being released, adding that it marked the end of an era.

“We know of the budget cuts and things like that but when you are released it come as a little bit of a surprise,” Sandell said.

“I would have had to have stayed on reduced wages and just like everyone else I've got bills to pay. I need to earn a certain amount of money to survive.

“I'm in the same boat as the rest of the lads and obviously now we've all got to look for new clubs.”