Despite being unable to play any part, Andre Boucaud said he did not feel envious or jealous when York City were matched with Premier League Bolton Wanderers in the third round draw of the FA Cup.
While at Kettering, he reached the fourth round of the competition before bowing out to top-flight Fulham and also faced Leeds United in front of the television cameras last season so fully appreciates the value of high-profile ties.
He said: “I wanted a big side for the lads. Even though, I hadn’t known them long, I could see they are a great bunch and, regardless of whether I can play or not, these matches are great for the club.
“We had good Cup runs at Kettering and they can help clubs keep going for another couple of years. They also get individuals noticed and, if we can beat Bolton because I don’t think it will be an easy game for them, everybody will sit up and take notice.”
With manager Gary Mills already describing Boucaud as “one hell of a player,” the 5ft 10in midfielder is looking forward to working under the former European Cup winner.
He said: “It’s very nice to hear anybody speak highly of you. I’m happy the manager came in and paid money to give me the opportunity to come here.”
Boucaud consulted ex-City centre-back Luke Graham, now with Kettering, before making the move up north, adding: “Everything happened so quickly before the loan deadline day but I did have a quiet word with Luke and he told me York have a great set up in a lovely city.”
As a youngster, Boucaud was touted for a big future in the game, starting out with Spurs and attracting interest from North London rivals Arsenal after moving to Reading.
He was part of the same White Hart Lane youth team that spurned Dean Marney and Mark Yeates, now plying their trade in the Championship with Burnley and Sheffield United respectively but, despite his unsuccessful flirtation with the big time, Boucaud has no regrets and is still targeting a climb back up the divisions.
He said: “I only learned later that Arsenal came in for me while I was at Reading but they rejected their offer without me knowing. That’s in the past now though and you can’t dwell on these things.
“You get ups and downs in football all the time. I’m on an up now as I have come to a club who I regard as a Football League outfit.
“Hopefully, we can push on together so I get back up there and so do the club.”
Boucaud also believes promotion back into the Football League is not out of the question this season, adding: “I will try and do my best to take York into the Football League where they deserve to be and I think that can still be done this season.
“At Kettering, we were second bottom and then we strung some wins together and moved to within four points of the play-offs. All it takes is a good run and you are back up there.
“We are on one now and, if we can continue that and keep picking up points away from home and winning our home games, then yes it’s definitely possible.”