Interview with Craig Clay

[The LoDown]

A look back through the past six years with a modern day O's legend.

https://londonfootballscene.co.uk/2023/ ... KvZE5yislg

[BoniO]

Legend?

That’s pushing it a bit don’t you think?

[FrankOFile]

Legend?

That’s pushing it a bit don’t you think?

Er, more than a bit.

[B.whitehouse+10more]

He has been a good servant to the club

[Proposition Joe]

He has. But a legend this doth not maketh.

[Omygawd]

Warrior for us in the Conference but Legend? Nah.

[Proposition Joe]

He seems a top guy and has been really good for us, mind. Don't think anyone would argue with that.

Article mentions he's "one of the first" to win two League titles with us. Anyone know who managed it beforehand?

[Long slender neck]

Proved to be a good signing, i think ling said at the time he'd be one of the best.

[Stan1972]

Craig Clay
Good player, great servant, hope he finds a good club and has a couple of good seasons in L2, as he deserves a good club.
But legend he is not.
For me Kevin Hales & Steve Castle in CM were the best midfield pairing I have seen.
Steve Castle is what you call an Orient great in that position, along with, Jobi, Bart Williams, Thornton, Bogie.
But the word legend is for players like:
Cunningham
Johnston
Kitchen
Comfort
Lockwood
Cox

[Chicken Dhansak]

Don"t forget the late, great Peter Allen, he was a true legend.

[Stan1972]

Don"t forget the late, great Peter Allen, he was a true legend.

Yep sorry add to the list

[RedDwarf 1881]

Proved to be a good signing, i think ling said at the time he'd be one of the best.

Martin Ling brought him in at the eleventh hour about only three weeks before the national league season started . Carried our midfield virtually single handedly during our National League seasons and won two league winners medals . You have to say Craig has been an excellent signing for us .

[faith1234]

I agree but would you give him another season with us

[Stan1972]

No, I wouldn’t we have Brown, hopefully Idris, and Pratts will be our DM coming on from bench.

[Sid Bishop]

Craig Clay
Good player, great servant, hope he finds a good club and has a couple of good seasons in L2, as he deserves a good club.
But legend he is not.
For me Kevin Hales & Steve Castle in CM were the best midfield pairing I have seen.
Steve Castle is what you call an Orient great in that position, along with, Jobi, Bart Williams, Thornton, Bogie.
But the word legend is for players like:
Cunningham
Johnston
Kitchen
Comfort
Lockwood
Cox

Many more can be added to that list, for just a start Sid Bishop, Dennis Rofe, Stan Charlton and many more that I and others could add !

[tuffers#1]

Craig Clay
Good player, great servant, hope he finds a good club and has a couple of good seasons in L2, as he deserves a good club.
But legend he is not.
For me Kevin Hales & Steve Castle in CM were the best midfield pairing I have seen.
Steve Castle is what you call an Orient great in that position, along with, Jobi, Bart Williams, Thornton, Bogie.
But the word legend is for players like:
Cunningham
Johnston
Kitchen
Comfort
Lockwood
Cox

Jackson Bishop Mcfadden Jonas & Scott are way above the bottom 3 of your list .

[Sid Bishop]

Craig Clay
Good player, great servant, hope he finds a good club and has a couple of good seasons in L2, as he deserves a good club.
But legend he is not.
For me Kevin Hales & Steve Castle in CM were the best midfield pairing I have seen.
Steve Castle is what you call an Orient great in that position, along with, Jobi, Bart Williams, Thornton, Bogie.
But the word legend is for players like:
Cunningham
Johnston
Kitchen
Comfort
Lockwood
Cox

Jackson Bishop Mcfadden Jonas & Scott are way above the bottom 3 of your list .

John Jackson, yes without a doubt !

[O my gawd]

Legend?

That’s pushing it a bit don’t you think?

Er, more than a bit.

How many legends have won 2 league titles for us ???
I can't think of any other than Dan Happe. For that they deserve legend status in playing a big part in getting us back to L1.

[Cheshunto]

Craig wasn’t the most gifted Orient player to have ever worn the Red shirt, but he always gave 100% and what he lacked in ability he made up in effort.
I wish him well next season wherever he goes.

[EliotNes]

I agree but would you give him another season with us

Yes, without hesitation. He's an excellent squad member and ideal to come on at 70 mins to shut the opposition midfield out. Plus he can play (and has played for the Os) in midfield, as CB and FB. He'll always give 100% and is a good influence in the dressing room. This is a type of player a manager will keep even after promotion. Wellens will want to keep him. IMO he'll be offered another 2-year contract and will take it. Well done Craig.

COYOs

[BoniO]

Christ, I hope not.

[Beradogs]

I agree but would you give him another season with us

Yes, without hesitation. He's an excellent squad member and ideal to come on at 70 mins to shut the opposition midfield out. Plus he can play (and has played for the Os) in midfield, as CB and FB. He'll always give 100% and is a good influence in the dressing room. This is a type of player a manager will keep even after promotion. Wellens will want to keep him. IMO he'll be offered another 2-year contract and will take it. Well done Craig.

COYOs

Don’t agree with that at all. We have already offered an approaching 39 Darren Pratley a contract which I think has sentimental bias. Clay can’t play in league one unless we are planning on being in the bottom 5 or 6. You have to let players go or you are not moving forwards.

[gshaw]

I agree but would you give him another season with us

Yes, without hesitation. He's an excellent squad member and ideal to come on at 70 mins to shut the opposition midfield out. Plus he can play (and has played for the Os) in midfield, as CB and FB. He'll always give 100% and is a good influence in the dressing room. This is a type of player a manager will keep even after promotion. Wellens will want to keep him. IMO he'll be offered another 2-year contract and will take it. Well done Craig.

COYOs

Don’t agree with that at all. We have already offered an approaching 39 Darren Pratley a contract which I think has sentimental bias. Clay can’t play in league one unless we are planning on being in the bottom 5 or 6. You have to let players go or you are not moving forwards.

This - with budget as it is each signing needs to count, you could keep Pratley for a year for his higher level experience but not Clay as well. Only a bit part player this year in L2 and wouldn't be good for either party if he plays barely a handful of games next season.

[Proposition Joe]

Anyone who wants us to make a proper fist of L1 next season shouldn't be keeping Clay on. He's been great, but as others have said, we don't have the budget to pad the squad with players who will struggle. He's not even been a regular starter this season, why would that change at a higher level?

[FrankOFile]

Legend?

That’s pushing it a bit don’t you think?

Er, more than a bit.

How many legends have won 2 league titles for us ???
I can't think of any other than Dan Happe. For that they deserve legend status in playing a big part in getting us back to L1.

No-one is denigrating his contribution. However, you need to understand what ‘legend’ means. It does not relate to Craig Clay in any way.