Steve Thompson has paid a glowing tribute to Claus Jorgensen following his departure from the club earlier this week.

The former Coventry City midfielder had been an integral part of the Seasiders recent successes and Thompson believes the 33-year-old epitomised what playing for Blackpool was all about.

"Claus has been fantastic," he told the club's official website. "Since I got moved up to the first-team he's been a model pro, both on and off the pitch. I think he epitomises everything about Blackpool - he always gives 100 percent and has a never say die attitude. I've nothing but admiration for him and I think, to be fair to Claus, he doesn't want to be a bit-part player, he wants to nail down a first-team position.

"I still think he's got a couple of years in him but we've now got to be looking to get young lads in who are proven or have a lot of desire. But we'll do everything we can if people want us to give him a reference," he added.

Letting players leave the club is never an easy task, but Thompson admits that many of the players who have been released were in desperate need of first-team football elsewhere.

"The players have been fantastic around the club and they have been a great bunch to work with. I think, as a player, you've got to play first team football - there's no point being a bit-part player in a squad unless you're getting first-team football," he said.

"As staff we realise that there are players with potential there that should be playing first-team football at whatever standard. These lads needed to go and play first-team football."

Two of the younger lads, Ashton Bayliss and Matt Kay, were also among those players to be released by the club. Both players came through the youth set-up at Bloomfield Road but will hopefully now find another team that will aid their development.

"Ashton and Matt were two players that came through with great expectations at Blackpool," Thompson said. "They came through the youth team and have always trained with the first-team and both been out on loan. We've not had many games with nothing to play for where we can throw them in, and I think they're better than reserve team football. They now need to find a level where they are comfortable playing at.

"They'll be disappointed that they're leaving Blackpool but I think it's important for them that they go and find football and play at a standard that their ability is comfortable playing in," he added.