Hendon delighted Dean’s staying
Leyton Orient's Dean Cox (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO
Brisbane Road head coach reflects on Dean Cox’s decision to stay and having Kevin Nugent in situ
Leyton Orient players being put through their paces during pre-season (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Archant
Leyton Orient are preparing to play National League outfit Braintree Town this evening and head coach Ian Hendon is delighted Dean Cox will be part of his playing squad.
The talented winger publicly committed his future to the Brisbane Road club last week despite rumours suggesting he could leave the O’s after they suffered relegation.
Darius Henderson and Romain Vincelot have departed this week, but the popular 27-year-old won’t be joining them.
Hendon actually met Cox at Errol McKellar’s charity match in aid of prostate cancer on May 31 and has known all along that the winger would be part of the team for the 2015/16 League Two season.
Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon watches on during pre-season (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Archant
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Despite that, the Orient head coach acknowledged it is great for everyone involved with the club to know Cox is staying as an Orient player.
“I heard a lot of things when I was in the interview process for the job and I was aware a few players had some issues and maybe wanted to move on,” said Hendon.
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“I spoke to Dean on the phone. I actually met Dean at the charity game before I went away and had a good chat with him.
“From then he has never once said to me he wants to go and that is how I took it. It is nice he has come out and put everyone’s mind at rest by saying he is staying.
“He is a good player at the league above, let alone League Two, so I think he is looking forward to getting his head down and playing as many games as he can next season and doing well for the club.”
Cox has been with the O’s since 2010, but first team coach Kevin Nugent has been with the club even longer than that!
He has been involved in some capacity at Brisbane Road since 2007 and Hendon was extremely happy to see the 46-year-old when he took over this summer.
Although Orient’s head coach has brought in Andy Hessenthaler as his assistant manager and various other members of staff, he was always keen for Nugent to stay.
“I have known Kevin for years and even when I wasn’t here I have spoken to Kevin on the phone about different things like players that are here and players I have had at clubs that Orient have been interested in,” revealed Hendon.
“I have seen him out at games when we have been watching other clubs so I know his work ethic and the other thing is he knows the players, he knows them better than anyone.
“To come in here, I couldn’t think of anyone better to be in situ already so I am delighted Kevin is here.”