Porter has got to take this opportunity, says Orient boss Slade

Friday 14th May 2010

CRAY WANDERERS have today confirmed that 17-year-old striker George Porter has joined Coca-Cola League One side Leyton Orient on a two-year contract.

“I am pleased to say that, although many clubs were looking at George, Leyton Orient suited both the player and Cray Wanderers FC, “ chairman Gary Hillman told www.craywands.co.uk.

Porter started the season playing for the Academy team and then went on to score 11 goals for the first team as Ian Jenkins guided the Hayes Lane based club towards Ryman Premier League status in their inaugural campaign at that level.

Mr Hillman added: "It was obvious from the beginning that George has an exceptional talent, even when he started playing for the Academy team. Bursting into the Wands' First Team was a natural progression and I can see him being a first team regular next season for Leyton Orient."

The Cray Wanderers FC Academy is in its first year at Coopers School and the team has just completed its first season as runners-up in the Ryman Youth League.

"I see the Youth Section and Academy being a major part of the future of Cray Wanderers FC“ added the long-serving chairman.

“I thought that we may have had the odd player come through to be on the bench this year but, to have four come through to play for the first team by the end of the season and one to go Pro is unbelievable.

“I would like to thank everyone involved and it also shows that local youngsters now have a natural route to becoming professional footballers if they make the grade with Cray Wanderers FC."

Leyton Orient will play a lucrative pre-season friendly at Hayes Lane, Bromley, as part of the deal.

Mr Hillman added: "They have acted in a very professional manner and will be bringing their first team squad over for a high profile pre-season friendly on 14th July as part of our 150th year Anniversary celebrations. We hope therefore to have a large turnout to watch the game."

Porter spent the last few weeks of the season on trial at Brisbane Road and scored in the reserves’ 1-1 draw at Millwall.

Porter has certainly impressed Leyton Orient’s first-team manager Russell Slade.

"George has huge potential. He's only had a year in football, but he has tons and tons of natural ability,” Slade told www.leytonorient.com.

"He's had a few training sessions with the first team and not looked out of place. We're going to have to wait with him to develop, but who knows.

"He's got an opportunity now and hopefully the boy will take it."

Porter joins a list of Kent footballers that have joined the London professional ranks in recent years with Dave Martin (Crystal Palace before signing for Millwall), Chris Smalling (Fulham before signing for Manchester United for £7m) and Leon Legge (Brentford) leaving Dartford, Maidstone United and Tonbridge Angels to fulfil their boyhood dreams of becoming a professional footballer.

Quotes courtesy of www.craywands.co.uk & www.leytonorient.com