Oxford hitman James Constable had been given permission to discuss terms with the Robins after an improved offer was made for his services on Thursday.
However, the former Kidderminster forward declined the opportunity to meet with the fourth placed club in League Two, the O's are sixth, five points behind Swindon, and will be back in training at Oxford on Friday.
The Wiltshire club's interim chairman Jeremy Wray told www.swindontownfc.co.uk: "Since we have been given permission to speak to the player, we have been informed that James Constable does not wish to pursue those talks. We respect his decision and will now concentrate on other transfer targets."
Just as long as there not at Roots Hall Jeremy! (Though they have raided Gillingham's squad for winger Luke Rooney: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk)
Constable used his Twitter account later on Thursday to say: "This has been one of the toughest days I have had in my career, never wanted to leave the football club, it means everything to me! #OUFC"
Now that's the way to get the fans on your side.
The Shrimpers play Swindon Town at home on Tuesday, January 31st and Oxford united at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday, April 28th.
The Constable Files
 Constable playing for Oxford United |
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Ashley Constable[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 4 October 1984 [1] | ||
| Place of birth | Malmesbury, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2] | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Oxford United | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Cirencester Town | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| ?–2003 | Cirencester Town | ? | (?) |
| 2003–2006 | Chippenham Town | 66 | (29) |
| 2005–2006 | → Walsall (loan) | 6 | (2) |
| 2006–2007 | Walsall | 17 | (1) |
| 2006–2007 | → Kidderminster Harriers (loan) | 9 | (5) |
| 2007–2008 | Kidderminster Harriers | 38 | (12) |
| 2008–2009 | Shrewsbury Town | 14 | (4) |
| 2008–2009 | → Oxford United (loan) | 42 | (23) |
| 2009– | Oxford United | 106 | (46) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2007–2009 | England C | 3 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:18, 14 January 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:18, 14 January 2012 (UTC) |
|||
(Full player info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Constable)