Special day for Reds trio as we head to the Matchroom Stadium
Boxing Day football is one of the great traditions of the football calendar and today’s trip to Leyton Orient will be special for a couple of Reds.
Between them, goalkeeper Glenn Morris and skipper Jimmy Smith made over 300 appearances for the O’s and Head Coach Dermot Drummy both will have an extra incentive to do well today.
Morris was with the O’s from 2001-10 and the 33-year-old played 150 games for the Londoners. Smith was a team-mate of Glenn’s for a season after joining in 2013 and he went on to play 173 games for the club.
Dermot said: “I think it’s always nice for players to go back to their old clubs, especially when they have been there for a long while as Glenn and Jimmy were, to see some familiar faces and meet up with people.
“But I know both will be desperate to do well for us on Boxing Day. Glenn and Jimmy have been a big part of what we have achieved so far this season. Their experience is crucial in what is still quite a young squad. If Glenn keeps a clean sheet and Jimmy scores the winner on Boxing Day I think we’d all be very
happy!”
Jimmy scored against Orient when the sides met on Boxing Day in 2014 but the hosts won 4-1 that day which proved to be John Gregory’s last game in charge of the Reds.
Dean Cox is also travelling to Brisbane Road, although he can’t make his first appearance until next Monday’s clash against Yeovil.
The midfielder had seven successful seasons in East London before signing for Reds in September.
“It will be nice for Dean to go back and say a proper goodbye to a lot of people there, especially the fans who loved him at Orient,” added Dermot. “He’d love to be playing of course - but he doesn’t have to wait long now to do that.”
