As the first player to sign for the Club since Francesco Becchetti’s takeover, Leyton Orient’s latest addition Bradley Pritchard revealed that manager Russell Slade’s confidence in him convinced him to sign.
Q: So Bradley how pleased are you to be joining the O’s?
BP: Very pleased. It was really essential getting this deal done and I’m really excited to get started now.
Q: How did the move come about?
BP: The manager first got in touch with my agent and then I heard there was definite interest. Once I heard that Orient were interested in me I was hoping we could get a deal sorted.
Q: What was it in particular about Orient that attracted you to them?
BP: It was pretty much everything, including the success that they had last year. I spoke to a few of my friends, some who have played here, and they all spoke so highly of the club in general as well as the players and the management. I felt that this was definitely a club that I wanted to be a part of.
Q: What players did you speak to?
BP: Robbie Simpson was one. I went to uni with him and we’ve kept in touch since. He spoke so highly of everyone here and once I told him about the interest he said to make it happen.
Q: What sort of things do you think you can bring to the table?
BP: I like to get round the pitch; I’m a box-to-box type of player. I hope I can be an asset in whatever way, both on and off the pitch.
Q: What about the team’s ambitions next season, what do you hope to see the team achieve?
BP: I want us to go one better than last year. I watched the final and I thought we were very unlucky. I really want to help push the team on and improve on last year.
Q: And what are your personal goals for next season?
BP: I hope to play as much as possible and score goals. I’d like to help the team build on and I really want to be ever present in the team to make both the players and fans proud.
Q: You’ve only missed a few days of pre-season so how do you feel about not having to do too much catching up?
BP: I’m quite lucky in that regard, I’ve tried to do as much as I can on my own but you can only do so much until you want to have a ball at your feet and start joining in with the other lads.
Q: It must be handy having previously been at Charlton you can stay in the South East?
BP: That was definitely one of the factors to me signing. Staying around my family and friends encouraged me to become a part of this club.
Q: What about the manager Russell Slade, what struck you about him?
BP: Just his confidence in me. Every player wants to feel like they are wanted and as if they can add quality or be an asset to the team. When I met him last week for negotiations I really felt as though he wants me as part of this team. That gave me a lot of confidence.
Q: With the press conference this morning and everything regarding the takeover it must be an exciting time to join?
BP: It is, it’s a bit chaotic and crazy but it is a really good time to be at the club. Whether you are a fan, a player, in the backroom staff or anything, you want to be part of a club that is moving forward.