Gillespie: U's To Smash Record?

Colchester United are prepared to smash their transfer record, in order to sign Cheltenham Town striker Steven Gillespie.

Reports in the local media claim the U's are still keen on the 23-year-old, despite seeing a £400,000 bid rejected by the Robins. Gillespie handed in a transfer request at Whaddon Road following, interest from the U's, Carlisle and Scunthorpe. Vital Colchester was one of the first sites to report this news, to read the article click here.

The U's transfer record currently stands at £350,000, the fee paid to Luton town in January for the services of Chris Coyne.

Robins' chairmen Paul Baker is adamant Gillespie will not go on the cheap, he said: 'Steven (Gillespie) has to accept that we have to do what is right for the club.

'We will see if this triggers interest from other clubs, and see if it generates increased offers.'

Baker also revealed that Town are 'mindful' of other transfer activity in the Football League.

'We are mindful that we have seen strikers like Liam Dickinson go to Derby for £750,000, and Martin Paterson to Burnley for £1.2 million, while Peterborough want £3m for Aaron McLean,' he added.

'We will not release Steven until the price is right, or we have earmarked an adequate replacement.'

The former Liverpool trainee, who scored 16 goals last season, is thought to be keen on a move to the U's.


Essex Battle For Gillespie

Meanwhile, reports over the weekend suggested that U's arch-rivals Southend United have joined the trail for Gillespie.

Blues chief Steve Tilson is rumoured to have visited Cheltenham's training ground last week, discussing the possible sale of Gary Hooper to the Robins. While in Gloucestershire, Tilson is believed to taken a sneaky look at Gillespie.


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