A connector having a front and rear and comprising: a connector body defining at least one cavity to receive a ferrule and at least one first latch element adjacent said cavity; a ferrule disposed in said cavity ; and a ferrule retainer for retaining said ferrule in said connector body , said ferrule retainer comprising: a retainer body configured for insertion into said cavity ; a resilient member having a relaxed state, and comprising at least one second latch element configured for releasably engaging said at least one first latch element ; and an actuator slidably mounted for forward and backward movement on said retainer body , said actuator having an actuated and an unactuated state, in said actuated state, said actuator bends said resilient member , thereby causing said at least one second latch element to move laterally relative to its position when said resilient member is in its relaxed state, and, in said unactuated state, said actuator does not substantially bend/flex said resilient member , characterized in that said connector includes a spring disposed behind said ferrule ; said ferrule retainer is configured for retaining said spring in said connector body ; and said retainer body , said resilient member and said actuator comprise discrete components, said resilient member being attached to said retainer body . a connector body defining at least one cavity to receive a ferrule and at least one first latch element adjacent said cavity; a ferrule disposed in said cavity ; and a ferrule retainer for retaining said ferrule in said connector body , said ferrule retainer comprising: a retainer body configured for insertion into said cavity ; a resilient member having a relaxed state, and comprising at least one second latch element configured for releasably engaging said at least one first latch element ; and an actuator slidably mounted for forward and backward movement on said retainer body , said actuator having an actuated and an unactuated state, in said actuated state, said actuator bends said resilient member , thereby causing said at least one second latch element to move laterally relative to its position when said resilient member is in its relaxed state, and, in said unactuated state, said actuator does not substantially bend/flex said resilient member , a retainer body configured for insertion into said cavity ; a resilient member having a relaxed state, and comprising at least one second latch element configured for releasably engaging said at least one first latch element ; and an actuator slidably mounted for forward and backward movement on said retainer body , said actuator having an actuated and an unactuated state, in said actuated state, said actuator bends said resilient member , thereby causing said at least one second latch element to move laterally relative to its position when said resilient member is in its relaxed state, and, in said unactuated state, said actuator does not substantially bend/flex said resilient member , said connector includes a spring disposed behind said ferrule ; said ferrule retainer is configured for retaining said spring in said connector body ; and said retainer body , said resilient member and said actuator comprise discrete components, said resilient member being attached to said retainer body . <EOS>