Southend United manager Steve Wignall has already begun his search for a replacement for striker Mark Rawle.

The 24-year-old forward did an amazing U-turn yesterday by putting his signature on a one-year deal with Division Three rivals Oxford United.

About turn - Mark Rawle has turned his back on Blues

The move came 24 hours after Rawle told Roots Hall bosses he would sign a new 12-month Southend contract.

Wignall spent last night contacting agents in a bid to find a striker to take the place of Rawle, who cost the Shrimpers £60,000 when he joined from Boston three years ago.

"I did tell him I was disappointed in the way that it had been done," said Wignall.

"I could have phoned other strikers but I could not have made them an offer until I knew what Mark was doing.

"I have been in the game a long time and I have never heard of anything like it.

"Having verbally agreed to sign the contract I don't think ethically it's the way to go.

"When I spoke to him he felt that it was a football decision and I tried to explain to him that the problem was the way he had done it.

"I told him he was a free agent but I said you don't wait five and a half weeks and leave it to the last minute, don't turn up, then say you will sign and then you don't sign -- it's very tacky."

"I do not wish him ill, it's just been done so very poorly."

Rawle was unavailable for comment but his departure means Southend have lost £100,000-worth of strikers following the departure of Rawle and Barrington Belgrave, who was brought in from Yeovil for £40,000.

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Published Friday, June 20, 2003

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