This is a good article. Click here for more information.

James Constable

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

<templatestyles src="Module:Infobox/styles.css"></templatestyles>

James Constable
James Constable 11-09-2010 2.jpg
Constable warming up for Oxford United in 2010
Personal information
Full name James Ashley Constable[1]
Date of birth (1984-10-04) 4 October 1984 (age 40)[1]
Place of birth Malmesbury, England
Height Script error: No such module "person height".
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Eastleigh
Number 9
Youth career
Cirencester Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
0000–2003 Cirencester Town
2003–2006 Chippenham Town 66 (29)
2005–2006 Walsall (loan) 6 (2)
2006–2007 Walsall 17 (1)
2006–2007 Kidderminster Harriers (loan) 9 (5)
2007–2008 Kidderminster Harriers 38 (12)
2008–2009 Shrewsbury Town 14 (4)
2008–2009 Oxford United (loan) 42 (23)
2009–2014 Oxford United 204 (67)
2014– Eastleigh 66 (29)
International career
2007–2009 England C 3 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:18, 6 January 2016 (UTC)

James Ashley Constable (born 4 October 1984) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for National League club Eastleigh.

Constable started his career with the Cirencester Town youth system, before breaking into the first team during the 2002–03 season. He moved to Chippenham Town in 2003, before signing for Walsall in the Football League in 2005. He moved out on loan to Kidderminster Harriers of the Conference National in 2006, before signing permanently in 2007. After a year at the club, during which he scored the first club goal at the new Wembley Stadium in the FA Trophy final, he returned to the League with Shrewsbury Town. After spending the 2008–09 season on loan at Oxford United, he signed for the club permanently in 2009. Constable scored the second goal in Oxford's 3–1 2010 Conference Premier play-off Final victory over York City in 2010, which secured Oxford's promotion into League Two. He was leading goalscorer in each of his six seasons at the club, and when he left after the 2013–14 season he had scored 106 goals, one short of the club record.

He has played for the England C team, who represent England at non-League level, making his debut in 2007 in a 2–0 victory over Finland in the International Challenge Trophy. He scored the goal in a 2–2 draw with Italy in 2008 that took England to the International Challenge Trophy Final, which Constable played in as England were defeated 1–0 by the Belgium under-21 team in 2009.

Club career

Early career

Born in Malmesbury, Wiltshire,[1] Constable grew up in the town as a Tottenham Hotspur supporter.[3][4] He played for Malmesbury Youth before starting his career with Cirencester Town after progressing through their youth system, playing for the Academy and making several first team appearances as a substitute in the 2002–03 season.[5][6] He progressed to being a regular in the team and signed for Southern League Premier Division team Chippenham Town in December 2003.[6] He made his debut in a 3–1 defeat to Tiverton Town on 1 January 2004,[7] scoring in the following game against Nuneaton Borough with the opening goal in a 1–1 draw.[8] He finished the 2003–04 season with 19 appearances and nine goals for Chippenham.[9] He made 37 appearances and scored 13 goals during the 2004–05 season.[10] He scored for Chippenham with the opening goal in a 1–1 draw against Worcester City in the FA Cup first round in November 2005.[11] While playing as a semi-professional at Chippenham, he worked in an undergarment lining factory.[4]

Walsall

Football League sides Bristol City, Swansea City, Swindon Town and Walsall all made enquiries for Constable in November 2005.[12] He eventually signed for League One team Walsall on 21 November 2005 on loan until 1 January 2006, when he would sign permanently for a fee of £4,000 on a contract until June 2007,[13][14] having made 14 appearances and scored eight goals for Chippenham up to that point during the 2005–06 season.[15] He made his debut as an 82nd-minute substitute in a 1–0 victory over Bournemouth in the Football League Trophy on 22 November.[16] This was followed by his Football League debut four days later after being introduced as an 89th-minute substitute in a 3–1 victory over Rotherham United.[17]

He scored his first goal for Walsall in a 3–2 victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the Trophy on 20 December with a "fine drive", which drew the teams at 1–1.[18] Constable scored two goals in seven minutes to help Walsall to a 2–0 victory over Blackpool.[19] His first appearance after signing permanently came in a 3–0 defeat to Bristol City on 2 January 2006.[20] He scored Walsall's second equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Swansea City in the Trophy, which was lost 6–5 on a penalty shoot-out.[21] Chippenham failed in an attempt to re-sign Constable on loan for the remainder of the 2005–06 season in February.[22] He scored his last goal of the 2005–06 season with a shot from Dean Keates' cross, which was the opening goal in a 1–1 draw with Port Vale in April.[23] He finished the season with five goals in 20 appearances for Walsall.[24]

Kidderminster Harriers

Constable warming up for Kidderminster Harriers in 2007

He joined Conference National team Kidderminster Harriers on a two-month loan on 24 November,[25] after having made nine appearances for Walsall up to that point during the 2006–07 season.[26] After arriving at Kidderminster, he made "a mammoth impact".[27] He made his debut in a 2–1 defeat to Stevenage Borough,[28] and manager Mark Yates praised him, saying "I thought James was excellent, bar taking the couple of chances that fell his way he can be well pleased with himself."[29] He scored his first goal in the following game, a 3–1 victory over Gravesend & Northfleet, with a "clinical finish" from a Michael Blackwood cross.[30] He scored two goals against Stafford Rangers after he "coolly slotted home" and scored with "ease into the bottom-right corner", which gave Kidderminster a 2–1 victory on 26 December.[31] His hat-trick in a 4–0 victory against Vauxhall Motors in the first round of the FA Trophy in January 2007 was the first for a Kidderminster player since Bo Henriksen in 2003.[32][33] After impressing during the loan,[27] he moved to the club permanently on a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 31 January.[34] He scored Kidderminster's equaliser in a 1–1 draw against St Albans City on 24 March, before being sent off for a "wild" challenge on Ahmed Deen.[35] In the 2007 FA Trophy Final Constable scored the first and second goals for an English club at the new Wembley Stadium, although his efforts were in vain as Kidderminster lost 3–2 to Stevenage Borough.[36] He finished the season as Kidderminster's top scorer with 16 goals in 32 appearances.[37]

He scored his first goals of the 2007–08 season with a hat-trick in a 4–0 victory over Exeter City on 1 September.[38] After two games without scoring, he scored a second hat-trick for Kidderminster in a 5–4 defeat to Ebbsfleet United.[38] He was substituted at half time in Kidderminster's 2–1 defeat to Histon in October,[39] after picking up a hamstring injury.[40] He made his return in a 2–0 victory over Ware in the FA Cup in November, scoring the first goal from 18 yards.[38][41] He was sent off in a 2–0 defeat against Oxford United for elbowing James Clarke,[42] and after having an appeal rejected, he was given a three-match suspension.[43] He made his return in a 2–1 away win over Hinckley United in the Conference League Cup on 22 December.[38]

Shrewsbury Town

Constable playing for Shrewsbury Town in 2008

Constable transferred to League Two club Shrewsbury Town on 31 January 2008, transfer deadline day, along with Harriers teammate Scott Bevan,[44] being billed as "the striker to help Shrewsbury Town push for the play-offs."[45] He made his debut two days later, coming on as a 50th-minute substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Lincoln City.[46] A week later, Constable scored his first goal for Shrewsbury with an equaliser against Brentford on 79 minutes.[47] He made his full debut in the next game on 12 February, scoring twice as his team came back from 3–0 down to draw 3–3 at home to Milton Keynes Dons.[48] He scored one more goal before the end of the season, in a 3–0 victory over Wrexham, which he finished with 14 appearances and four goals.[49] The signings of Grant Holt and Richard Walker during the summer resulted in Constable being moved further down the pecking order at Shrewsbury.[50]

Oxford United

Constable returned to the Conference Premier after signing for Oxford United on a season-long loan for the 2008–09 season on 8 July 2008.[51] He made his debut in a 3–0 defeat by Barrow on 8 August 2008, scoring his first goals in a 6–3 victory over Eastbourne Borough a week later, netting twice and providing an assist.[52][53] He scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over Northwich Victoria in September, which was Oxford's first away victory of the season.[52] He picked up a groin strain during a 1–1 draw with Kettering Town, and he was expected to be out of action for two to three weeks.[54] He did not miss any matches through this injury, featuring in a 1–0 defeat to former club Kidderminster.[52] He scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Burton Albion on 18 October 2008,[52] which he said "was an absolutely massive result".[55] Manager Chris Wilder said in January 2009 he wanted to extend Constable's stay the club, claiming he "epitomises what I am trying to build here at the club".[56] With regard to extending his stay at Oxford, Constable said he was "open to offers".[57] He gathered further praise from Wilder later in the month and there were calls from Oxford fans for Constable to be signed permanently.[58]

Constable had a run of scoring five goals in as many games from 28 December 2008 to 20 January 2009, which constituted four home victories for Oxford.[52] Following this, he went seven games without a goal, before scoring two in a 3–3 draw with Forest Green Rovers on 7 March 2009.[52] Oxford announced he had agreed a permanent deal with the club in April 2009, although this was denied by Shrewsbury, who stated the transfer was not yet complete.[59] He scored the winning goal for Oxford in a 1–0 victory over Wrexham on 11 April 2009 with a header in the fourth minute of stoppage time,[60] which was described as "one of the most dramatic late goals in Oxford United's history".[61] He finished the season with 49 appearances and 26 goals,[52] after which he claimed Oxford's Supporters' Player of the Year and the Players' Player of the Year awards.[62] Constable's permanent transfer to Oxford eventually took place on 28 April 2009, signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[63] After the end of the season, he won the Conference Premier's Player of the Year and Fans' Player of the Year awards.[64]

Constable playing for Oxford United in 2009

He started the 2009–10 season with a "flood of goals",[2] scoring six times in his first 11 appearances, with his first goals of the season coming in a 4–3 victory over Histon on 15 August 2009.[65] In the following game, he scored his first hat-trick for Oxford in a 4–0 victory over Chester City.[66] However, following Chester's expulsion from the Football Conference in March 2010, these goals were discounted from the records as their results were expunged.[67] He said in February 2010 that he was considering stepping aside as Oxford's penalty kick taker after having missed three during the season.[68] Constable suffered an ankle injury in March 2010, meaning he missed three games, with manager Wilder saying "I wouldn’t put the long-term health of James in jeopardy".[65][69][70] He made his return in a 0–0 draw with Tamworth on 21 March 2010.[65] Constable scored for Oxford in a 1–1 draw at Rushden & Diamonds in their play-off semi-final first leg on 29 April 2010, giving them the lead on 29 minutes with a 12 yard volley before Mark Byrne equalised for Rushden.[65][71] He scored the second goal in the 2–0 victory over Rushden in the second leg, meaning the tie was won 3–1 on aggregate.[72] He scored Oxford's second goal as they defeated York City 3–1 in the 2010 Conference Premier play-off Final at Wembley to end their four-year exile from the Football League.[73] At the Football Conference's Annual Presentation Dinner, he was named in the Conference Premier Team of the Year, having finished the season with 26 goals in 44 games.[65][74]

Constable playing for Oxford United in 2010

Having acted as captain during the previous season following an injury to Adam Murray, he was appointed captain permanently ahead of the 2010–11 season.[75] He played in Oxford's first Football League game since promotion, a 0–0 draw with Burton on 7 August.[76] His first goals of the season came after he scored two in a 6–1 victory over League One team Bristol Rovers on 10 August.[77] Constable finished the season with 17 goals in 46 appearances.[78]

Oxford accepted an improved offer for Constable from local rivals Swindon Town on 19 January 2012.[79] Oxford allowed Constable to talk to the club, although he refused the opportunity to discuss the move with Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio.[79]

On 16 November 2013 Constable scored his 100th goal for Oxford in a 3–1 away victory at Mansfield Town.[80]

Eastleigh

Having been one goal short of equalling Oxford's club record for goals scored of 107, Constable turned down a new contract with the club to sign for newly promoted Conference Premier team Eastleigh on a two-year deal on 21 May 2014.[81] He made his debut in a 3–0 away victory over Nuneaton Town on the opening day of the 2014–15 season on 9 August 2014.[82]

International career

Constable was named in the England C team, who represent England at non-League level, in November 2007, for a 2007–09 International Challenge Trophy game against Finland.[83] He made his debut after starting the game and England won 2–0.[84] He was called up again in October 2008 for a game against Italy,[85] scoring the goal that sent England to the International Challenge Trophy Final in a 2–2 draw at the Stadio Santa Colomba.[86][87] Constable was called up to the team for this game against the Belgium under-21 team,[88] saying "It's an incredibly proud feeling to be representing my country at this level."[89] He started the game, which was played at Oxford's Kassam Stadium, and England lost 1–0,[90] during which he had a frustrating performance.[91] He earned three caps and scored one goal for England C from 2007 to 2009.[92]

Style of play

Constable plays as a striker and is "a big, powerful frontman with bags of pace".[93] He has been described as being a prolific goalscorer,[94] leading to remarks of him being a "hot-shot" and a "goal machine".[95][96] He was described as a "young, hungry player with bags of potential" by Kidderminster manager Mark Yates in 2007.[33] His strike partnership at Oxford United with Matt Green and Jamie Cook was described as "devastating" in 2009.[97]

Career statistics

As of match played 28 December 2015.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chippenham Town 2003–04[9] Southern League Premier Division 19 9 0 0 0 0 19 9
2004–05[10] Southern League Premier Division 35 13 0 0 2[lower-alpha 1] 0 37 13
2005–06[15] Southern League Premier Division 12 7 2 1 0 0 14 8
Total 66 29 2 1 2 0 70 30
Walsall (loan) 2005–06[24] League One 6 2 2[lower-alpha 2] 1 8 3
Walsall 2005–06[24] League One 11 1 1[lower-alpha 2] 1 12 2
2006–07[26] League Two 6 0 1 0 1 0 1[lower-alpha 2] 0 9 0
Total 23 3 1 0 1 0 4 2 29 5
Kidderminster Harriers (loan) 2006–07[37] Conference National 9 5 3[lower-alpha 3] 4 12 9
Kidderminster Harriers 2006–07[37] Conference National 14 1 6[lower-alpha 3] 6 20 7
2007–08[38] Conference Premier 24 11 1 1 3[lower-alpha 4] 2 28 14
Total 47 17 1 1 12 12 60 30
Shrewsbury Town 2007–08[49] League Two 14 4 14 4
Oxford United (loan) 2008–09[52] Conference Premier 42 23 4 2 3[lower-alpha 5] 1 49 26
Oxford United 2009–10[65] Conference Premier 37 22 2 1 5[lower-alpha 6] 3 44 26
2010–11[78] League Two 44 15 0 0 2 2 0 0 46 17
2011–12[98] League Two 40 11 1 0 1 0 1[lower-alpha 2] 0 43 11
2012–13[99] League Two 39 9 3 3 2 0 3[lower-alpha 2] 2 47 14
2013–14[100] League Two 44 10 5 1 1 0 1[lower-alpha 2] 1 51 12
Total 246 90 15 7 6 2 13 7 280 106
Eastleigh 2014–15[82] Conference Premier 43 18 3 1 2[lower-alpha 7] 0 48 19
2015–16[82] National League 23 11 2 1 1[lower-alpha 3] 0 26 12
Total 66 29 5 2 3 0 74 31
Career total 462 172 24 11 7 2 34 21 527 206
  1. Appearances in Southern League Premier Division play-offs
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  4. One appearance and one goal in Conference League Cup, two appearances and one goal in FA Trophy
  5. One appearance in Conference League Cup, two appearances and one goal in FA Trophy
  6. Two appearances in FA Trophy, three appearances and three goals in Conference Premier play-offs
  7. Appearances in Conference Premier play-offs

Honours

Oxford United

Individual

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. 26.0 26.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. 27.0 27.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. 33.0 33.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. 49.0 49.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. 52.0 52.1 52.2 52.3 52.4 52.5 52.6 52.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  61. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. 62.0 62.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  63. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. 64.0 64.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  65. 65.0 65.1 65.2 65.3 65.4 65.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  66. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  67. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  68. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  69. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  70. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  71. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  72. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  73. 73.0 73.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  74. 74.0 74.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  75. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  76. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  77. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  78. 78.0 78.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  79. 79.0 79.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  80. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  81. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  82. 82.0 82.1 82.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  83. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  84. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  85. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  86. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  87. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  88. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  89. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  90. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  91. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  92. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  93. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  94. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  95. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  96. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  97. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  98. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  99. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  100. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links