Oxford United stand firm over bids for striker Constable

9:00am Saturday 9th June 2012 in Sport

Oxford United striker James Constable in action Oxford United striker James Constable in action

Kelvin Thomas says Oxford United would not have turned down bids for James Constable if they were looking to sell their leading scorer.

The U’s chairman this week revealed that a second offer from Bristol Rovers for the 28-year-old was rejected.

Thomas admitted he expects more interest – Northampton and Luton are rumoured to also be in the hunt – in Constable, who has topped the goalscoring charts at the Kassam Stadium for the past three seasons, over the summer.

United accepted an offer from Swindon in January for the striker, who is known as Beano, but the player turned down the chance to move.

The fact the U’s were prepared to allow Constable to talk to Swindon has alerted other clubs to the potential sale of the former Shrewsbury man.

But Thomas says the stance of United has never changed.

“We could have sold James very easily and we have said that consistently,” United’s chairman said.

“We wouldn’t have turned down offers if we wanted to get rid of James.”

Thomas does, however, accept that every player has his price, and that if an offer meets the club’s valuation, then there is the chance of a move.

“We are not the type of club that is going to turn round and say that none of our players are for sale,” Thomas said.

“Other clubs are in a position where they can turn down big offers for players, and we are not in that position. But we are also not in the position where we have to accept any offer that comes in for our players.

“If good enough money comes in for players, we will consider the offer.

“I’m sure clubs have seen we have accepted an offer and so it means it probably picks up their interest.

“I am very up front with the players and James knows the position the club is at.

“James has got two years left on his contract – we gave him a three-year deal last year – so I think that’s enough commitment from us to say that you are part of this club.”

Comments(29)

CHINNOR YELLOWS says...
9:12am Sat 9 Jun 12

Well said Kelvin. Every player has a price, but it has to be the right price.

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Taffy Duck says...
12:16pm Sat 9 Jun 12

CHINNOR YELLOWS wrote:
Well said Kelvin. Every player has a price, but it has to be the right price.
here here!

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yellowhoods says...
1:03pm Sat 9 Jun 12

Here, here,,here, here, here, h e r e , h. E r e

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davecuddoufc says...
2:16pm Sat 9 Jun 12

yellowhoods wrote:
Here, here,,here, here, here, h e r e , h. E r e
h. Ere? Er, is that a joke then?

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manorforever says...
12:08am Sun 10 Jun 12

as a big fan of beano i think he has been fantastic for oxford and a major part of us at least getting back in to the league-swinedon are just gutted he told them where to go!! let him get the record goals tally then every ones happy!!

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HopefulOx says...
12:46pm Sun 10 Jun 12

I know this isnt completly relivant to this subject ....but please bring back chris hackett he would be ideal for CW's tactics and he's FREE

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oldun says...
4:40pm Sun 10 Jun 12

£125,000 would be plenty enough. I hope to hear "HEAR, hear" not "here, here"

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swalker260 says...
5:41pm Sun 10 Jun 12

I agree with hopefulOx Chrissy Hackett would be my type of player to feed beano for those that remember our great days we had wingers that fed our strikers, Chicken George, Hughie McGrogan we need those types of players to get behind the defences

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oldun says...
7:40pm Sun 10 Jun 12

Lawrence could not cross to save his life- Brock, Simpson and Langan could

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eatmygoal says...
10:11am Mon 11 Jun 12

oldun wrote:
Lawrence could not cross to save his life- Brock, Simpson and Langan could
Chicken George crossed the ball to me in the London Road stand more than to any of our centre forwards - as did Chris Allen!

On the Beano front, I really hope he stays. I know he wants to and it is good to see the club are not anywhere near being in a position of *having* to sell him.

I think the player would only be tempted away to a club that could offer him a long contract and possible something after he has finished playing or support getting a qualification to support himself after he retires from playing.

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bigchet says...
1:03pm Mon 11 Jun 12

would totally agree about chris hacket if available, as local boy maybe coming back would appeal to him,

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yellowhoods says...
1:40pm Mon 11 Jun 12

Hacket would be a great signing, fingers crossed!!

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HopefulOx says...
1:45pm Mon 11 Jun 12

He's been released by Millwall so a completely free transfer

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LeGod says...
2:35pm Mon 11 Jun 12

empty words from your chairman he will be off soon. All the transfer activity starts in July for players that are contracted to clubs and there will be offers on the table that your club wont turn down.

Beano is going :)

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yellowhoods says...
8:13pm Mon 11 Jun 12

Beano leave you are not wanted anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Sgt Oxford says...
9:17am Tue 12 Jun 12

wilder can go with him two pair of ****s

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yellowhoods says...
9:19am Tue 12 Jun 12

Sgt Oxford wrote:
wilder can go with him two pair of ****s
And Thomas the trio of s**t!!!!!!!!

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Sgt Oxford says...
12:53pm Tue 12 Jun 12

we may as well turn into a rugby club

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oldun says...
1:13pm Tue 12 Jun 12

If little LW move there, Rugby crowds at Kassam would be the lowest in the Aviva - by far - probably no more than 5K

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Sgt Oxford says...
3:38pm Tue 12 Jun 12

Kassam can get a few more quid then the bar steward

Crosby better find us some half decent talant otherwise Oxford S***y will be playing us soon

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Chish and Fips says...
7:33pm Wed 13 Jun 12

Over here in Egypt it's 37 degrees , one degree for every forward Oxford tried last season and failed to find a winner .

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the wizard says...
11:10pm Wed 13 Jun 12

Nice one Chish, they should have taken the STFC offer and used the money to re enforce the team and get into the play offs. Instead they are consigned to yet another year in League Two. They sold Midson who was consistent and kept Beano who besides scoring against us did very very little for the rest of the season. Pride comes at one heck of a price, and sometimes takes some swallowing, which is something they are now learning. Short sighted manager who can't spot a decent goal scorer, and a naive chairman who has taken them I would suspect as far as he can. He deserves a lot of recognition for what he has achieved, but I think lack of funds limits further scope.

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eatmygoal says...
9:32am Fri 15 Jun 12

Chish and Fips wrote:
Over here in Egypt it's 37 degrees , one degree for every forward Oxford tried last season and failed to find a winner .
If ever my life gets so worthless that I start reading the Swindon Advertiser when I am on holiday to make pithy comments, please take me out and shoot me.

Obsession CAN be treated, there is help out there. Get it. You need it. Badly.

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oldun says...
9:40am Fri 15 Jun 12

Lack of funds ? - that did not stop Shrewsbury or Stevenage from going up

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BenkiuGuasu says...
12:53pm Sat 16 Jun 12

I was gonna say something...but i can't remember what it was so i won't....

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Chish and Fips says...
6:04pm Tue 19 Jun 12

oldun wrote:
Lack of funds ? - that did not stop Shrewsbury or Stevenage from going up
It has stopped them hanging on to players though oldun.

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oldun says...
6:20pm Tue 19 Jun 12

Main thing is that despite lack of funds - they are playing in Div 3 next season - we are not - lucky them!

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Chish and Fips says...
7:27pm Tue 19 Jun 12

eatmygoal wrote:
Chish and Fips wrote:
Over here in Egypt it's 37 degrees , one degree for every forward Oxford tried last season and failed to find a winner .
If ever my life gets so worthless that I start reading the Swindon Advertiser when I am on holiday to make pithy comments, please take me out and shoot me.

Obsession CAN be treated, there is help out there. Get it. You need it. Badly.
Save us waiting for that go do it now :o)

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Ginger-nutz says...
11:25am Sun 24 Jun 12

Chish and Fips wrote:
eatmygoal wrote:
Chish and Fips wrote:
Over here in Egypt it's 37 degrees , one degree for every forward Oxford tried last season and failed to find a winner .
If ever my life gets so worthless that I start reading the Swindon Advertiser when I am on holiday to make pithy comments, please take me out and shoot me.

Obsession CAN be treated, there is help out there. Get it. You need it. Badly.
Save us waiting for that go do it now :o)
Nice One Chish :).....
.
If £125k can prise away there prize assett, then god help 'em..... Cos he's not gonna be staying much longer :).....
.
And to those who think Beano turned down Swindon, then try to get your heads around why??...
.
My guess would be that he wasn't too keen on hard training and just being a squad player....... Big fish in a small pond scenario :)

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