Former Cheltenham Town winger reflects on his first summer out of contract with a young family and his previous dealings with his new club

James Dayton is pleased his gamble has paid off now he has completed a move to National League club Leyton Orient.

The 28-year-old winger signed a two-year deal with the O’s on Tuesday night after impressing on trial.

Dayton revealed he had another offer from a National League club earlier in the summer, but turned it down in the hope of going somewhere better.

He said: “It is never nice to be a trialist. I have a young family to look after and that brings a little bit more pressure.

“It is also the first time I have been out of contract with a family, but I believe in my ability and I did have an offer from a team in this league earlier on in the summer.

“I felt I could hold out for something better and thankfully it has now paid off by getting this deal.”

The former Cheltenham Town winger has previous at Orient having trained with the club a couple of years ago.

Now he is finally part of the squad at Brisbane Road, the former Crystal Palace youth would love to remain in E10 for a lengthy amount of time.

“I would like to stay here longer than two years, but you can never tell with football,” said Dayton. “If I am honest I could see myself staying here for a good couple of years if all goes well obviously.”

The Londoner not only has history with Orient, but also head coach Steve Davis who tried to sign him in 2013.

Dayton went to Oldham Athletic in the end, although is pleased to be working with a manager who plays football the right way.

He added: “We crossed paths when I left Kilmarnock and he was the Crewe manager, so he knew about me and I knew about him and I am delighted to be working with him.

“He plays the game the way it should be played - on the floor - and he’s at a club that is going in the right direction, which was massive for me.

“I still feel I have a lot to give. I am 28, so not old, but not young and I am just looking forward to the season and the next couple of years and seeing how far we can go.”

When Dayton had a trial at the club before, it was under the previous ownership at Brisbane Road.

And the ex-Kilmarnock ace can see a big disparity between the old and new at Orient and is excited about what the future holds for him at O’s.

He added: “The biggest difference between my brief previous time at the club and now is how much more professional it is.

“I actually never got an answer from my time before, so that is the sort of professionalism we are talking about.

“It is what it is. I played one game and left, so that was it and I went on, but the club is in the best hands now.”