The former O’s striker hailed the charity work of Errol McKellar and revealed his delight at getting his boots back on at Brisbane Road

Scott McGleish was delighted to return to Leyton Orient on Sunday and talked up the work of Errol McKellar and Leyton Orient director of football Martin Ling.

The 44-year-old had four spells with the O’s and rolled back the years at the weekend with a brace in a 5-4 win for Ling’s London Legends over McKellar’s Celebrity XI.

The charity match was in aid of Prostate Cancer UK and Hertfordshire Mind Network and McGleish praised the two men behind the day.

He said: “This is the second year Errol has done this event and obviously Martin has now put his cause on it as well and they are two great causes which need funding and need looking into.

“We are all starting to know more about prostate cancer and how the percentage increases once you get to a certain age (over 45) and Errol has helped raise awareness that men of African-Caribbean heritage are more likely to develop it.

“Martin’s issue is more personal and as much as it is personal, it is wide-spread and especially in the professional world of sport.

“There is still a macho domain and people don’t talk about their problems and that’s what we are trying to change – to get people talking.”

McGleish was one of a number of ex-players supporting the event and hailed the work of O’s youth-team coach McKellar.

He added: “It was nice to come back and especially to play at Brisbane Road again because it has always been a home from home for me. I have been at this club many times, but I haven’t been back for a while to watch.

“Once Errol asked me if I would play there was no question. Not only because of the cause or because it is Orient, but because it is Errol. What he does for the club and the cause is incredible.”

McGleish didn’t play during the first half, but was introduced at the break and helped Ling’s London Legends fight back from 4-1 down to win a nine-goal thriller.

He scored twice, assisted Kevin Lisbie and played a part in Danny Shittu’s equaliser at Brisbane Road.

The forward, who was player-coach at Chesham United last season, also enjoyed linking up with Jamie Cureton, Lisbie and others on Sunday.

When asked about his own performance, McGleish joked: “The brain says you can keep going, but the legs say otherwise!

“I can still make the runs, but don’t forget I am playing against people who have also lost half a yard.

“Playing with Charlie (Daniels) again was good and ‘Curo’ and Lisbie and even Gary Alexander, so it is nice to play with these people again and you can see how well the event was supported by the club.”