Leon Constantine's joy at reunion with York City boss Martin Foyle (From York Press)

Leon Constantine's joy at reunion with York City boss Martin Foyle

11:37am Tuesday 7th September 2010 in

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YORK City new boy Leon Constantine has admitted playing for Martin Foyle was a “major factor” in his decision to turn down Football League outfits and move to Bootham Crescent.

Constantine, who enjoyed a scoring debut for the Minstermen during Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Rushden, had been biding his time playing five-a-side football with friends as he waited for the right club to come calling following his release by Hereford at the end of last season.

But, having plundered 26 goals for Foyle in a season when the pair worked together at Port Vale three years ago, Constantine jumped at the chance to be reunited with his old mentor.

“He’s a major factor in me coming here,” the ex-Leeds United striker said about Foyle, pictured. “We have a good understanding and he helped me out at Port Vale.

“It was always good playing under him and to have the chance to do it again was a selling point. He always brings a relaxed atmosphere to changing rooms, supports his players and gets the best out of them.

“He had a lot of exciting players at Port Vale and I don’t think he got the credit he deserved there but he has come in here and got the team playing good football. I don’t want to praise him too much but, in training, you can still see with his movement and certain other things how good a striker he’s been. Obviously, he can pass that on.”

Constantine, at 32, found himself without a club at the start of this season for the first time in his career.

But, despite his release by Hereford 12 months after being shown the door at Northampton, he never felt his professional playing days were behind him, adding: “There are a lot of players who have played at a higher level and bigger clubs than me who are out of the game. That’s football these days.

“You have to get on with things and take your opportunity when you get one. I never thought that would be it with football.

“It wasn’t as if I had no options. I could have gone to League clubs, but I didn’t want to make the mistakes I have done over the last two years and go to clubs that did not benefit me just for the sake of staying in the League. I need to be enjoying my football.

“I know what I need to do to keep fit and I’ve been playing five-a-side football almost every day to stay sharp. It was nice to get on a big pitch again on Saturday though and I felt sharp out there.”

Understandably delighted to mark his first City outing with a goal and an assist, Constantine was keen to deflect any individual plaudits in the direction of his team-mates.

He said: “You’re always happy to get off to a good start when you’re making your debut anywhere but I was just really happy for the team, who put in a great performance. The best team won and there is no reason why we cannot go on to win more games if we perform at that level.”

Constantine’s 78th-minute finish against Rushden suggested the much-travelled frontman will also add composure in front of goal to City’s squad. About opening his account, he added: “I don’t like to panic in the penalty box. I could have gone at it first time, but I like to make sure and it went in.”

But the Hackney-born attacker is making no rash promises about emulating departed striker Richard Brodie’s goalscoring heroics. He said: “Thirty-seven goals is no mean feat at any level and I don’t like getting involved in talking about whether I can compensate for him leaving. What Richard Brodie did is fantastic and that’s brilliant for him.

“I’ve scored goals in my career and, if I can help the team win games and score a few as well, I will be more than happy. I just want to keep trying to put in good performances and don’t like to talk about what I will achieve. It was very important for me to get off to a good start but now it’s back to the drawing board and time to work hard on the training ground, whilst hoping I will get a chance to start.”

Constantine also believes Foyle can still help improve his game, saying: “I have a bit of experience but I am still learning. I think we have a great football side here. I remember playing here for Leeds in pre-season and thinking these guys can play.”