TOWN made an unsuccessful bid to bring old boy Jon Stead back to the Galpharm.
It’s emerged that an £850,000 offer to Sheffield United for the Huddersfield-born 25-year-old close to the start of the season was unsuccessful.
Town also made overtures to the Blades following the Carling Cup clash between the sides nine days ago, chairman-elect Dean Hoyle told this week’s Patrons meeting.
Stead joined Sheffield’s Championship rivals Ipswich on loan just before the transfer window closed on Monday.
Former England Under 21 international Stead came through the Town academy, scoring 24 goals in 76 appearances to earn a £1.25m move to Blackburn in 2004.
He has also played for Sunderland and had a loan spell at Derby.
Hoyle also revealed that frontmen Clive Platt and Alan Lee had also been Town targets.
Colchester were offered £400,000 for Platt, who played against Town in the goalless draw three weeks ago.
And they bid £600,000 for Lee, but the Republic of Ireland international ended up leaving Ipswich for Crystal Palace.
