I got released from Newcastle under 13's under similar circumstances, i was a small passing midfielder but it all comes down to which coach is taking care of which age group.
Paul Baker took charge of our age group one year (maybe the year before i got released), i think he had some sort of senior role when Benitez was here (might be wrong), and he liked me as a player.
After one game he actually said to the team that how i played i.e passing the ball rather than just sprinting around, was the way to play.
Next thing was he went to coach the under 19's and we got some Sunday league bloke who just wanted big lads in, and i got released.