Independent Leyton Orient Forum

Just announced

Undisclosed fee obviously, but we've paid a fee for him.



The Club is pleased to announce the signing of forward Conor Wilkinson from Dagenham & Redbridge for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year old joins the O’s having netted 12 times in 23 National League games for the Daggers last term.

The 6”3 striker started his career out at Bolton Wanderers and featured for The Whites 17 times in his four-year spell.

While at Bolton, he enjoyed loan spells at Torquay United, Oldham Athletic, Newport County, and Chesterfield before he made the permanent switch to Gillingham in 2017 for an undisclosed fee.

Wilkinson appeared for the Gills 50 times in total, including seven League One caps last term before he signed for Dagenham & Redbridge and enjoyed his best scoring spell to date.

Wilkinson has also appeared for the Republic of Ireland at youth level including U21s where he has made 13 appearances and scored two goals.

Wait for it.............

Twitter people don’t seem too impressed with this signing.

Can’t say anything myself as I don’t even know who he is.

Anyway welcome Connor and I hope you do well.

He is a big bully boy up top, a younger Harrold and cant imagine he is actually Bonne's replacement.

Was relatively impressed with him last season (even though he was a kicking, diving, cheat).

His league goalscoring record is pretty much non-existent but he is a good enough player as a hold up player for Koroma/a new signing.

Apple Wumble wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:09 pm He is a big bully boy up top, a younger Harrold and cant imagine he is actually Bonne's replacement.

Was relatively impressed with him last season (even though he was a kicking, diving, cheat).

His league goalscoring record is pretty much non-existent but he is a good enough player as a hold up player for Koroma/a new signing.

Would be a good foil then for JMD? Probably Wright and Clay too.

Apple Wumble wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:09 pm He is a big bully boy up top, a younger Harrold and cant imagine he is actually Bonne's replacement.

Was relatively impressed with him last season (even though he was a kicking, diving, cheat).

His league goalscoring record is pretty much non-existent but he is a good enough player as a hold up player for Koroma/a new signing.

Not according to gills fans he ain’t.

http://gillsconnected.proboards.com/thr ... -wilkinson

LittleMate wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:11 pm

Apple Wumble wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:09 pm He is a big bully boy up top, a younger Harrold and cant imagine he is actually Bonne's replacement.

Was relatively impressed with him last season (even though he was a kicking, diving, cheat).

His league goalscoring record is pretty much non-existent but he is a good enough player as a hold up player for Koroma/a new signing.

Would be a good foil then for JMD?

Be interesting to see what system we play and if JMD does start in the hole. I think he will and i think wilkinson will be good for knock downs to JMD and koroma.

Relatively happy with this, not blown away though. Especially if we dont sign another striker.

Thor wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:12 pm

Apple Wumble wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:09 pm He is a big bully boy up top, a younger Harrold and cant imagine he is actually Bonne's replacement.

Was relatively impressed with him last season (even though he was a kicking, diving, cheat).

His league goalscoring record is pretty much non-existent but he is a good enough player as a hold up player for Koroma/a new signing.

Not according to gills fans he ain’t.

http://gillsconnected.proboards.com/thr ... -wilkinson

That's what they said in April 2018. He's had a year to develop his game since then and will be playing at a lower level.

We excercised his buyout clause.

Left when we met his buy out clause.

TBF he was a 1 in 2 goalscorer last season, has a bit of shithousery about it. Only worry is ive seen a few 'lazy' comments about. After Bonne, he will stand out like a sore thumb if he jogs around for 90 mins.

Buyout clause covered his wages for last season, I reckon £25,000 - £50,000 ballpark. Don't really know much about him to be honest apart from he's got a great record at Dagenham and I've heard great things there, but he's got a poor record at Gillingham, so... I trust our scouting department/Ling have got this one right.

Mr. Peanutbutter wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:23 pm Buyout clause covered his wages for last season, I reckon £25,000 - £50,000 ballpark. Don't really know much about him to be honest apart from he's got a great record at Dagenham and I've heard great things there, but he's got a poor record at Gillingham, so... I trust our scouting department/Ling have got this one right.

Yeah, must have spotted something in his spell at the Daggers unless they knew that they wanted to get a bigger player in up front and were targetting that sort of player,

He's definitely a risk but hopefully comes good. Do think there were safer options out there that wouldn't have cost too much more...Mccaullum comes to mind.

Although, as I say, i think we'll bring someone else in.

Mr. Peanutbutter wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:23 pm Buyout clause covered his wages for last season, I reckon £25,000 - £50,000 ballpark. Don't really know much about him to be honest apart from he's got a great record at Dagenham and I've heard great things there, but he's got a poor record at Gillingham, so... I trust our scouting department/Ling have got this one right.

I hope you are right about the scouting/Ling. Don’t want another Alabi, who also cost a fee I believe. For a young man he’s been about a lot. Not stayed anywhere too long so wonder if he just fails to impress. But as others have said, did OK in the NL last season and daggers upset he’s gone. So here’s hoping he fits the bill.

Just listened to Steve Thompson whoosh the daggers md, he said Connor turned down 2 or 3 league 1 and 2 clubs after the end of the season. Last week we phoned and exercised his buyout clause and we got him.

This suggests this is post Justin, which kind of backs up what I said in the Bonne thread, now he’s gone the landscape changed.

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/under ... placement/

Give him a firking chance.Welcome Conor.

He's a downgrade on Bonne, don't think anyone would have swapped the two players before today.

However, I don't think he is Bonne's replacement, and he is a massive upgrade on Alabi, from his Youtube goals he can actually play some football.

I'd hope we would get a marquee signing to replace Bonne, and we will then have him, Koroma, Wilkinson, Harrold. With 7 subs I think there is scope to even get a loanee in, as I don't think Harrold is that suitable as a starter.

eagwgw wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:36 pm I'd hope we would get a marquee signing to replace Bonne, and we will then have him, Koroma, Wilkinson, Harrold. With 7 subs I think there is scope to even get a loanee in, as I don't think Harrold is that suitable as a starter.

To be honest, I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if Koroma is still here come the start of the season.

Mr. Peanutbutter wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:39 pm

eagwgw wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:36 pm I'd hope we would get a marquee signing to replace Bonne, and we will then have him, Koroma, Wilkinson, Harrold. With 7 subs I think there is scope to even get a loanee in, as I don't think Harrold is that suitable as a starter.

To be honest, I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if Koroma is still here come the start of the season.

Me too, I think he’s gone as well.

Howling Mad Murdock wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:34 pm https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/under ... placement/

Give him a firking chance.Welcome Conor.

I’m sure we all hope he repeats his one in two like last season and not the one in six career figures. Welcome Conor.

I see he's had spells at Newport and Gillingham. Were either of those playing under Justin?

Nope.