Other key players could still follow with midfielder Nicky Platt mulling over an offer from Stalybridge and Chris Baguley being linked with Southport.
The mood was lightened by the fans' player of the year Jerome Wright, who has committed himself to the club for next season, while skipper and defensive stalwart Dave Chadwick is expected to sign once he returns from a holiday in Australia.
The losses of Patterson and Howard, plus the release of striker Stuart Rudd - expected to link up with Patterson again at big-spending Bradford Park Avenue - have forced Marginson to extend his summer shopping list.
"We have become victims of our own success because everyone is looking at our players," says Marginson.
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TWOSOULS, Manchester (17/06/2008 at 13:44)
Player come players go, you get promoted you get relegated, i for one wouldn't care if we played on hough End as long as the shirts put 100% into it, mark my word Mr Patterson will be back, Josh has gone a great pitty but as we have seen players have left however most have come back so we will just have to see