Liam Kelly pleased to be at Leyton Orient after needing ‘new challenge’ from Oldham Athletic
PUBLISHED: 16:00 21 July 2016
Liam Kelly in action for Oldham against Blackpool last season (pic: Empics)
EMPICS Sport
One time Scotland internationals reflects on his transfer and the possibility of earning promotion from League Two
Leyton Orient midfielder Liam Kelly is pleased to be at a club that is moving in the right direction.
The once Scotland international spent two years at Oldham Athletic in League One before leaving this summer.
He has dropped down a division to join the east Londoners after feeling the time was right to depart the Latics.
Despite bidding farewell to the Boundary Park club, he was full of praise for his former tean.
“I really enjoyed my time at Oldham, it was a good bunch of lads and I liked all the staff there,” said Kelly.
“All the backroom team were fantastic and it was a good football club, but this was a new challenge for me.
“Oldham has had its problems, but this club is moving in the right direction and I’m looking forward to it.”
The process that involved Kelly leaving the Latics to sign for Orient was a long one in the end.
Although the 26-year-old had to wait a little while before it was confirmed, he knew it was never in doubt.
Kelly added: “I was just glad to get it done in the end, obviously there was a few bits and pieces that had to get sorted out.
“It was never not going to happen so it was nice to get it finalised and start training with the boys.”
The Orient midfielder will now be dreaming of doing what a few other teams have achieved recently in earning back-to-back promotions.
Bristol Rovers went up from League Two last season having finished runners-up in the National League the year before.
While Burton Albion won the League Two title in the 2014/15 campaign before getting promoted to the Championships at the end of the previous season.
“To be honest I don’t think there is a great deal of difference between League One and Two if you look at it,” said Kelly.
“If you go up from League Two, that momentum can carry on into the next season and if you build a little more, with a bit more quality in League One you have a good chance of doing it again.
“First and foremost, though, you concentrate on the first game and then what comes after that because we can’t take anything for granted – it’ll be a tough season.”
Orient can expect another difficult campaign, but having somebody of Kelly’s pedigree in the squad will help.
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