Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer 
BOYD
MAURICE 'DANNY' Lyn promised it close to the end of round one of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League and it has come to fruition "sweeping changes at Constant Spring".
For at least two months rumours swirled that one of Jamaica's most loved footballers, Walter Boyd, was heading north to Constant Spring from the 'Concrete Jungle' of Arnett Gardens. It is no longer a rumour, as the move was confirmed by Lyn yesterday.
"Yes, we have signed Walter," Lyn told The Gleaner yesterday.
It is Boyd's second attempt in less that a year to part company with his old club having gone on trials with the US MLS A League side Charleston Battery in June of last year. Boyd however was not signed and his ambitions of playing in the US after his four-year (1992-1996) stint with the Colorado Foxes went up in smoke.
He had opted out of his contract with the Foxes in order to help the Reggae Boyz in their historic 1998 World Cup campaign. He barely got to France though, after being dropped for the final round of the qualifiers by the then technical
director Rene Simoes, who cited indiscipline as his reason for leaving out the gifted and wily striker.
ATTACKING TRIO
All that is history and now Boyd, 33, heads an attacking trio of signings heading to Constant Spring, the others being Alberto Fray, also of Arnett, and Harbour View's Dino Williams. They join defender Patrick Reid, formerly of Maverley/Hughenden and former Waterhouse wing-back Tafari O'Connor as the newest additions to Constant Spring's payroll. O'Connor in particular has added steam to Spring's tanks since he played his first NPL game against Portmore but with the addition of Boyd, Williams and Fray, Lyn figures that the team has the firepower to add at least one piece of silverware to his showcase this season.
"We stand a good chance in the Jackie Bell and we want to get back in contention for the Premier League even though we are a far way off at this stage," he said.
PURPLE PATCH
Constant Spring ended round one of the NPL joint last with Arlington and Wadadah on seven points, leaving them in the relegation group but they have hit a purple patch in the second round and are now eyeing a spot in the second end-of-round final, a feat Lyn belives his new charges can help him
accomplish.
"These three attacking players will bring balance and leadership to our team. As it is now, Constant Spring does not have players who know what it is like to win big championships and with Boyd, in particular, who has been there and done that, his experience will benefit the team and help take Constant Spring to another level," Lyn said.
"It is not a situation that we expect Walter Boyd to be the messiah. We know he is only human and we also know that he is a quality player so to have him in our unit is a plus for us. His presence will help players to lift their game. He has been training, we have had no problems with him and he has blended into the team very well," he said.
Meanwhile, Boyd and Spring fans alike will have to wait until next weekend to see him in the unfamiliar gold, blue and white. Under Jamaica Football Federation rules, transferred players cannot compete until after January 24. This means that Boyd, Williams and Fray will have their first assignments against defending champions Tivoli Gardens in a Jackie Bell Knockout semi-final scheduled for the National Stadium.
