Jobi McAnuff was delighted to finally get promotion “over the line” following Saturday’s draw at home to Braintree Town.

The O’s returned to the Football League after their 112 year stay was ended by relegation from League Two in 2016/17, but after two years of graft under McAnuff’s captaincy, Orient were confirmed as National League champions on the final day.

Speaking after the game, McAnuff said: “[It feels] fantastic. It’s the culmination of a really long and hard year, but also last year. That was a big building base for us to go on.

“It’s been a bit of a weird week, kind of preparing but not quite being there yet. We were in limbo really and I think you felt that at the game itself today. It’s just lovely to get over the line and really finish the job off today.”

McAnuff returned to the club for the start of their stint in non-league having also played for them between 2014 and 2016, so he was all too aware of the significance of promotion after what has been an incredibly difficult period.

He said: “It’s been a remarkable turnaround. I’ve tried to get that across to some of the lads that weren’t here during that time and how much it means to the fans and any of us that were involved in it.

“They were dark days and negative times for the club but I’m just really happy that everyone has been able to enjoy this year and now this is the icing on the cake.

“It’s nice to know the club is moving forward. We’ve got fantastic owners, people that have a genuine passion and love for the club. That’s really filtered its way through and everyone is pushing in the right direction now and it’s just a great place to be.”

The Jamaica international has had a glittering career, starring in all five of England’s top divisions and receiving over 30 caps for his country, but he ranks this achievement as one of the highest on his list.

He said: “For me it’s right up there. Given what has happened and just the difficulty. It’s a hard league to get out of with just one automatic spot. Over the course of a whole season it’s very tough to achieve.

“We felt every time we went onto the pitch that it doesn’t matter where the other team are in the league, their form, they do raise their game whether they’re coming here or we’re going there. We are a big fish in this league and I think we’ve adapted and dealt with that ever so well this year.

“It was extra added pressure on us but as you saw today they [Braintree] came to play, they were already relegated but they’ve come out and popped the ball around well. We’ve had to deal with that and it was a challenge but we’ve overcome it.”