Leon Constantine

Port Vale Constantine moved to Port Vale on loan on 4 November 2005, with the transfer becoming permanent for a fee of £20,000 in January 2006. On 8 November 2006, he opened the scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in a League Cup tie at White Hart Lane, though Spurs went on to win the game 3–1 in extra time. In the 2006–07 season he broke a record, becoming the only Port Vale player to score more than 17 goals before Christmas. This happened when he scored twice against Brighton & Hove Albion on 23 December 2006.

He was set to move to Championship club Barnsley in the January 2007 transfer window, Vale agreeing a fee of £200,000 plus Marc Richards. However, the deal fell through when neither club could agree terms. In January 2007, Brighton offered Vale £150,000 for the striker, but Constantine insisted he was happy at Vale Park. Despite finishing the season with 26 goals in all competitions for Port Vale (38 in 18 months for the club), he was never a fan favourite at Vale Park. Instead, he picked up a vocal minority of detractors who condemned his relaxed attitude on the pitch as proof of him being "lazy".

Leeds United Constantine had been linked with several League One clubs throughout pre-season; however, he agreed a contract in principle with Leeds United when they were in administration, paying out of his own pocket to take part in the pre-season programme. Leeds later signed a two-year contract with Constantine on 7 August 2007. Constantine started his first game for Leeds in the 2–1 defeat to Bury in the Football League Trophy where he scored in the 8th minute. His career at Leeds was blighted by injury, however, leading to him only making a handful of appearances for the club.

Constantine scored his first league goal for Leeds in their 3–1 home defeat at the hands of Oldham Athletic on 1 January 2008. However, he was hit by injury again, breaking his arm in this same game after scoring, leading to a two-month lay-off. In March, Constantine was sent to Oldham on loan to help him re-gain match fitness, scoring twice in seven appearances.

Northampton Town On 2 July, Constantine completed a free transfer move to League One side Northampton Town after falling out of favour with Gary McAllister. After only scoring three goals for Northampton and receiving boos from the club's own fans, he joined League One rivals Cheltenham Town on a one-month loan on 20 March 2009. He returned to Northampton on 20 April after scoring one goal against Huddersfield Town in six matches. He was released at the end of the season following a disappointing year.

York City

He joined Conference Premier side York City on a contract until the end of the 2010–11 season on 3 September 2010, teaming up with his former manager at Port Vale, Martin Foyle. The next day he made his debut, scoring the second goal in a 2–0 victory over Rushden & Diamonds. Constantine scored on his first start for York with the second goal in a 2–0 victory over Hayes & Yeading United on 18 September. Having finished the season with eight goals in 29 appearances, York released him on 23 June 2011.

Later career Constantine had an unsuccessful trial with League Two club Barnet in July and played in a pre-season friendly against Peterborough. He then went on trial with newly-promoted Conference Premier side Braintree Town and recorded a goal and an assist in a game against Billericay Town. Constantine completed a permanent move to Braintree after training with them in pre-season and made his debut when he appeared as a second-half substitute in Braintree's 5–0 win over Grimsby Town. Constantine failed to make a further appearance for Braintree and was released in October.

He signed with Isthmian League Premier Division side Lewes, for whom he made one league appearance against Canvey Island on 8 October. making his debut as a substitute in the side's 4–2 Boxing Day victory at home to Eastwood Town. He was released by the club on 11 March 2012, having scored one goal in two starts and eight substitute appearances. After retiring as a player, he went on to work as a football consultant at a sports agency company and opened his own football academy. He represented former Port Vale youth team player Rhys Walters.

Career statistics

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2000–01 Second Division

2001–02 First Division

1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!2!!0 Leyton Orient (loan) 2001–02 Second Division

Southend United 2003–04 Third Division

League One

League Two

League One

League One

League One

League Two

Conference Premier

Braintree Town 2011–12 Conference Premier

Lewes 2011–12 Isthmian LeaguePremier Division

Tooting & Mitcham United 2011–12 Conference North

Southern LeaguePremier Division

2015–16

Individual Football League One Player of the Month: August 2006