Former AFC Wimbledon man discusses ambition of the club and settling in at Brisbane Road

The ambition of Leyton Orient was enough to convince Sammy Moore to move to Brisbane Road this summer and after a successful pre-season he is confident they can achieve glory.

Ian Hendon has been open about his ambitions for the 2015/16 campaign – he wants to get the O’s back into League One.

It will not be easy and Moore knows better than most how tough it can be in League Two.

The 27-year-old has been plying his trade in this division for the last four years with AFC Wimbledon, but is ready to achieve something this season.

Moore said: “The ambition of the club persuaded me to join and I want to come here and do things. Since I have walked through the door how professional the club is has been an eye opener for me.

“I’m playing with better players and I really want to do something this year and there is a real sense of belief that we are going to do something special.

“I feel that, and I think the fans feel that, after seeing the last couple of pre-season games. And you will see on Saturday against Barnet how up for it we are. We are not just here to play pretty football, we can mix it as well.”

Orient will need to do that if they are to succeed in League Two, but the work ethic of Hendon’s team has been clear to see throughout pre-season.

Even in the opening game of the summer against Braintree, where Moore made his O’s debut, the intensity of the clash didn’t hint it was a friendly fixture.

That has remained all summer and will be needed to help the Brisbane Road club finish where they want to be in the table.

Although Orient have signed a lot of new players, the team spirit appears very good and Moore revealed everyone has been very welcoming since he joined.

He added: “As soon as I walked through the door the boys have made me feel welcome.

“I know Andy Hessenthaler, the assistant, and Hendon from playing against their teams before and one thing I can guarantee that I will do is work my socks off for this team week in, week out.

“I will be giving 100 per cent because this club deserves to be back in League One and I will make sure, as well as the boys and the management, that we have a good year and we really kick-on.”

A successful season for the club will be if they are promoted and Moore believes the strong competition for places can help push everyone to greater heights.

Hendon has plenty of options in midfield with Lloyd James, Alan Dunne, Bradley Pritchard, Harry Lee, Moore and Jobi McAnuff just some of the players who are capable of lining up centrally.

Orient’s head coach will have a difficult decision to make over who starts, but that’s a positive.

Moore added: “There is a real belief in the camp that we can get promoted, we have got some really good players and a real strong squad. Everyone’s fighting for places and you need that.

“I want to do something this season, I have come here to do that and so have the other boys.”