U's Fail In Gillespie Bid

It has emerged that Colchester United have failed in a bid to sign Cheltenham Town striker, Steven Gillespie.

A £300,000 bid from the U's, was turned down by the Whaddon Road outfit. With U's hotshot Kevin Lisbie being touted to leave North Essex this summer, Gillespie could well be seen as an ideal replacement.

Gillespie was the Robins' top scorer last season, as he hit 16 goals to help the Gloucestershire club narrowly avoid relegation. The former Liverpool traine joined Cheltenham from Bristol City, in 2006. It is believed Gillespie has a sell-on clause in his contract, which would see City receive a percentage of any profit Town make on Gillespie.

Cheltenham chairman Paul Baker told the club's official website: 'Whilst we considered the offer to be a good one we are trying to build upon the foundations of the last two seasons and we want to do everything we can to keep our best players.

'We were also mindful that Steven would prove a difficult player to replace, even with a transfer fee at our disposal.

'The board therefore felt that turning down this offer was in the best interests of Cheltenham Town Football Club.'

Whether U's boss Geraint Williams will make a second offer for the 23-year-old is unknown. Fellow League One sides, Scunthorpe, Huddersfield and Tranmere are also believed to be tracking Gillespie but no other formal bid have been made.

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