Southend United manager Steve Tilson admitted today he was disappointed by Leon Constantine's decision to quit the Shrimpers for Second Division Peterborough.
The striker, who netted 25 times last season, signed a two year deal with Posh over the weekend and Tilson revealed Constantine had turned down a similar contract to stay with Blues.
"We offered Leon a two-year deal but he he turned it down," confirmed the Roots Hall chief.
"He then came back to us saying what he wanted to be paid, but the terms he was after were nearly three times what he was getting last year.
"We were keen to keep him here and I asked him to ring the club owner Ron Martin and discuss things, but Leon never did. He never spoke to him at all."
Constantine also failed to contact Tilson over his free transfer switch to Posh.
"Leon didn't talk to me either," said the former Blues midfielder.
"In fact the first I heard was when Peterborough's manager Barry Fry rang me to say he had just signed him.
"Good luck to Leon though. I wish him well, but I only want people here who want to play for Southend United and it's my job now to find another striker who wants to do that and be part of our rebuilding for next season."
Published Monday May 24, 2004
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