TODAY, ex-O Simon Church lifts the lift on how Orient's players battled and then beat the drop last season.

The 20-year-old striker has told your local Guardian about his successful loan spell at Brisbane Road in Geraint Williams survival side, where he scored five goals and helped keep Orient in League One.

He returned to Championship Reading at the end of the season with his ears ringing to the chant impressed fans sung about him.

This week he told your local Guardian: “I'm really pleased with that chant. It was flattering. I really have got a lot of time for Orient.”

“I knew they were in a bad situation, but it didn't seem like that when I came in on the first day.

“Normally people's heads are down when you're struggling. But the attitude was 'we're going to get out of this no matter what'.”

“There was a good group with no cliques and that's what got us through. Everyone was laughing and joking, but when it came down to it, we were all together. It was good to be part of it.”

The striking partnership Church had with Scott McGleish put vital points on the board.

It was good for Orient that each already knew how the other plays.

“Scott I knew from Wycombe Wanderers” said Chuch. “Playing up front with him was great as we got a good connection straight away. I room with him too.”

Having home grown talent like midfielder Jason Demetriou to provide chances also helped. He impressed Church, and did Sean Thornton.

The Irishman was a force from midfield last season who boss Williams is desperate to keep at the club. But he has not signed the deal Orient have offered him.

“Jason is a good player and he'll definitely do well, he has a great cross on him. Sean Thornton sees things differently, you can tell he's played in the Premier League. Players like them are going places and their talent makes me better.”

Church only found his scoring touch when he arrived at Orient. His season long barren spell ended at Carlisle, in Orient's 3-1 win there. Orient got nine points from three games that week.

He said: “After I scored my first goal at Carlisle, it got a lot easier. It's the longest trip ever, and everyone hates going up there, but it was well worth it for me!

“It was a great week. I think things turned around from there. After then, we all believed we could do it.”

Church could be playing against Orient next season in the Carling Cup. The O's missed out on a seeding for the draw and so face a tie against a top team.