DEPARTING Orient keeper Glyn Garner has urged Martin Ling to give understudy Glenn Morris a fair crack at becoming the O's number one stopper.

While Garner turned down the club's offer of a new contract to move back closer to his Welsh roots, Morris has agreed a one-year extension.

Reflecting on events Garner said: "I'm sad to be leaving Leyton Orient, because I had a really great time at the club and I don't suppose you can beat the first year I came here.

"To get promotion and have an excellent FA Cup run was brilliant and while this season was a bit of a struggle it was great to help the club stay up in the end.

"I had to think long and hard about leaving Orient, because the club put together a god deal and the manger was also great to work with. But at the end of the day I want to get back to Wales.

"I'm used to living in a small village in the south of the country, and while I've enjoyed my time in London I'm getting married this summer and want to set myself up in a house back home.

"I'm sad to leave Orient, though, because I've got a lot of friends there and I hope the manger will give Glenn Morris a real crack.

"He has been great to work with over the last couple of years and I know what an excellent keeper he is.

"You don't get the nickname Cat for no reason."

And 23-year-old Morris is certainly hoping that will be the case next season as he finally looks to emerge from being stuck on the sidelines.

He said: "I'm really happy to be staying at the club because I've been here for about eight years now. I enjoy working with the gaffer, who I've grown up with at Orient.

"I wasn't aware that Glyn was leaving when I agreed to stay, and while I'm sorry to see him go this could be my chance to move forward.

"Of course the gaffer is still going to bring in another keeper, but I've had enough of just sitting on the bench and I want to be out there playing now.

"I will be working hard over the summer to keep my fitness levels up and hopefully I can mount a challenge during the pre-season to become the number one."