Former West Ham defender on trial with former manager Ian Hendon
Former West Ham youngster Frazer Shaw has been backed to earn a contract with Leyton Orient after it was revealed he was on trial with the Brisbane Road club.
Dulwich Hamlet boss Gavin Rose, who managed Shaw last season, believes the 20-year-old has all the attributes to be a success in the Football League.
Shaw was released by West Ham in the summer of 2014, but got back to enjoying his football with Dulwich in the Ryman Premier Division last season and was eventually voted in the league’s team of the year before earning selection for the England C team – non-league’s equivalent of the national team.
At the O’s, Shaw will link up with Ian Hendon, who was in charge of the full back during his time as manager of West Ham’s development squad.
“I do think it will be a good move for Frazer,” said Rose. “I think Leyton Orient will be trying to go straight back up next season and if they offer him a contract, he’ll be with Ian Hendon again.
“That is someone who is familiar with how Frazer plays and knows the boy, so will get the best out of him.
“He is a good athlete and good in one v one situations, he wants to play football and likes to get forward. He has everything to be a good modern-day left-back.”
Various Football League clubs are said to be interested in Shaw and Dulwich and Rose are preparing to see the talented, young defender depart.
A move to Orient could be perfect and with last season’s full-backs Elliot Omozusi, Scott Cuthbert and Gary Sawyer gone, it seems an opportunity is up for grabs if Shaw can impress.
If the former Hammers defender does earn himself a contract at Brisbane Road it will be no surprise to the Dulwich manager.
Rose added: “I said to him from the start we believe he can get back into the professional game, but I don’t think he actually believed that.
“If he goes to Orient and does well, and fingers crossed he does, Ian will know the boy and it will be good for Frazer to be with someone that he is familiar with and somebody who I am sure will help develop his game.
“He has only been out of the professional set-up for one year, some people fall out of it for a number of years but Frazer has a chance now and I am sure he will take it.”
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