Bland, who has been a long-serving and influential figure at the Towbar Express Stadium, becoming the club's all-time top appearance maker and reaching 500 appearances over the course of the 2025/26 campaign, was offered a strong financial deal by the club as part of preparations for the upcoming campaign.

The proposal reflected both his importance to the squad and his consistent performances in recent seasons, where he has continued to demonstrate his quality as one of the Northern Premier League’s standout goalkeepers .

However, after careful consideration, Bland has made the decision that now is the right time to move on and pursue a new chapter in his career.

Having first joined the club in 2013 and gone on to make 504 appearances across multiple spells, Bland has been a key presence between the posts for over a decade. His commitment, professionalism and match-winning contributions have made him a highly respected figure both within the dressing room and among supporters .

Everyone at Whitby Town would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Shane for his outstanding service to the football club. His efforts over the years have played a significant role in the team’s progress, and he leaves with the very best wishes of all connected with the Seasiders.

Further updates regarding the squad for the 2026/27 season will be communicated in due course.