Leyton Orient legend Dean Cox has described Errol McKellar as a ‘special man’ as he gears up for an emotional return to Brisbane Road in May.

Cox, who now plays for Crawley Town in League 2, will return to Orient on Sunday 27th May to feature in a charity match between an Errol McKellar celebrity XI and Martin Ling’s London Legends in aid of Prostate Cancer UK and East Herts Mind Network.

McKellar, who volunteers at Orient’s academy, endured a battle with Prostate Cancer in 2011 and has since been raising awareness of the disease for the charity Prostate Cancer UK.

This will be second time McKellar has organised a charity match to be played at Brisbane Road, with the previous game taking place in May 2015, and Cox is delighted to be returning to Orient to take part.

He said: “I’ve known Errol since I was about ten years old. He’s a very special man and he gave me a call and I was more than happy to come down. I know Martin Ling and his ties to Leyton Orient. They are both top blokes and they are doing it for two great causes so I’m looking forward to having a nice day down there.”

Cox has had a long standing relationship with McKellar and the winger described the impact the former O’s Youth Team coach had on his career at a young age.

He said: “In my youth team days, he was the Youth Team coach at Leyton Orient from when I was 11. I always remember when we used to play and he’d always be there. He was obviously the opposing manager but he would always speak to me and give me advice even then when I was only a little boy.

“From then on, when I signed for Orient, Errol was at every home game down there and he’d come into the dressing room and give me a few pointers and he would tell me to liven up if I had a bad game the following week. He wasn’t shy on letting me know if I needed to do a bit better. He never wanted me to leave Leyton Orient and is still begging me to come back.

“His story has been well documented on the TV, but I can’t speak highly enough of him as a person. He’s a top man and along with Martin Ling, they’ve both got amazing ties with Leyton Orient. They are both high figures at the football club and both have had a rough time. It’s a nice day to not just celebrate for them, but obviously for everyone who has gone through difficult times, it’s a nice day to raise a lot of money.”