It is fair to say that the players, management and fans of Peterborough United had a lot to look forward to at the end of their League Two campaign in May - and the new season in League One could not come quick enough.

Sadly the Aaron Mclean transfer saga has hung over the close-season like a cloud ready to rain on the parade.

Football being what it is, it is difficult to know where the blame – or the support – lies.

Posh – and in particular the chairman Darragh MacAnthony – have made their position clear from day one – they want the player to stay and he is going nowhere unless a club meets their valuation.

So have the fans, many frustrated at the prospect of losing their leading goalscorer.

And, now, with a transfer request so has the player.

Everyone who follows the game at whatever level knows there is no loyalty in football. Players come and go – sometimes because they want to go on to bigger and better things in what is a short career – and on occasions because they are forced out to make way for new signings.

Regardless of where Mclean plies his trade next season and how much money changes hands, it is sad that the fans who supported the team in great numbers last season might not now get to see how it competes at a higher level.