AFC Bournemouth’s Charlie Daniels will always look back on his time with Leyton Orient fondly, after the O’s provided him with a platform to kick-start a successful career in the game.

Daniels was one of a number of former O’s who returned to Brisbane Road on Sunday to take part in the Errol McKellar charity match, which saw the London Legends beat a team of celebrities 5-4 thanks to a late strike from Scott McGleish.

The 31-year-old enjoyed two spells with Orient earlier in his career before moving to AFC Bournemouth, helping the Cherries rise from League One to become an established club in the Premier League.

Daniels has become an integral part of Bournemouth’s back four, establishing himself as the club’s first choice left-back, but says he will always be grateful to Orient for providing him with a ‘great platform’ to not only play professional football, but eventually feature in the Premier League.

He said: “I look back fondly on my time here. It gave me a great platform to come and play professional football. I really enjoyed it. I’m a local boy so playing here and living at home was a great experience. It was an experience I needed and one which laid the foundations for the rest of my career.

“When I was at Leyton Orient, Errol was always around. He was always at the club and always such a lively character behind the scenes, which many people probably didn’t see. It’s a great day for him and he’s put on such a great event.”

During his time with Orient, Daniels made over 170 appearances across two spells with the club, having initially arrived at Brisbane Road on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2007.

The left-back would then return permanently in January 2009 and was part of the O’s team which secured a famous draw against Premier League giants Arsenal in the FA Cup in 2011, a moment the 31-year-old will always cherish.

When asked about his favourite moment in an Orient shirt, Daniels said: “There’s a lot. But I think I’d have to say drawing with Arsenal at home because it was such a big occasion for the club and it got us the replay which brought a lot of money into the club.

"We were such a good squad and we got a free trip away for it. All in all, we became great friends because of that moment, so it was probably that game which was my best moment.”

On the pitch, it has been a transitional season for Orient under new ownership, with Justin Edinburgh leading the O’s to a 13th place finish in the National League after a strong end to the campaign.

Things weren’t looking particularly rosy back in November, though, when a 15 game winless run in the league culminated with Steve Davis being sacked, after the O’s sat in 19th place in the table.

The former Crewe boss was swiftly replaced by Edinburgh and Orient’s fortunes have slowly improved since then, with the O’s having the best defensive record in the league under the 48-year-old’s stewardship.

Daniels got the opportunity to play alongside Edinburgh on Sunday as part of Martin Ling’s London Legends and says he has been impressed by the former Northampton Town man’s work so far.

He said: “Justin has done a great job. It was one which was needed because the club under the previous ownership was going in a downward spiral. I’m really happy for the new owners who have come in and given Justin an opportunity and he’s a great manager.

"He’s really stabilised the club and hopefully next season, they can kick on. If you look around, no disrespect, but a stadium like this should be in the League. If he can get some good backing from the owners and he can bring in some players that he wants, then I have no doubt that they will be up there.”

During his time with Bournemouth, Daniels has worked alongisde arguably one of the most talented managers in the country in Eddie Howe and the left-back is hopeful that the Cherries' boss will remain with the club for the time being.

Daniels said: "I’ve worked with him now for six/seven seasons and it just seems to get better and better. He’s growing with the club. He’s a fantastic coach. He’s very hands on and wants to improve every single player. That’s probably why the club has gone to where it has done. I’ve got no doubt in the future that he will probably move on, but hopefully not while I’m there at the club.”