Defender Mark Phillips, Midfielder Marc Laird, and striker Freddie Eastwood are all leaving Southend United following the expiration of their contracts.Phillips has been with the Blues since his move to the club in 2010 from Brentford, making 35 appearances since his move. He was also the club’s Player of the Year for Blues in 2011.
He joined Conference side Aldershot Town on loan, helping them to Conference survival earlier this season.
Laird has also been allowed to move on this summer, having joining on loan during the 2012-13 season, where he earned a permanent deal, and has been out since getting injured in August.
Phil Brown said about Mark and Marc: “They have both been excellent servants to this football club, and I can’t thank them enough for their efforts during my time at Roots Hall.
“Mark is an experienced defender at this level, but I felt it was now the right time for him to move on, while Marc was a bit unlucky with his injury this season.
“We had a wealth of talent in the central midfield role and he was unable to gain a permanent spot back because of the performances of others.
“He was a real character around the club, and both players will be missed.”
Freddy Eastwood will also depart Roots Hall following the expiration of his contract.
The 30-year-old first joined the club in 2004 (while on-loan from Grays Athletic), and scored a debut hat-trick.
The striker joined permanently and finished the 2004-05 season with 24 goals from 42, helping Southend to League One promotion.
He joined Wolves in 2007 before returning to Essex on loan in 2012 from Coventry.
Bedsente Gomis has also been released by the club, with the Senegal-born midfielder has signing a deal at the start of the year.
Youngsters Ryan Auger and Luke Chambers are both now free agents, but have bee
n invited back by boss Phil Brown during the summer.