JEROME EYEING UP A PLAY-OFF ENCORE
IT HAS been an up-anddown 12 months for Jerome Binnom-Williams.
Before a season-long loan at Burton Albion came to a premature end in January, the full-back was part of the Southend side that won promotion to League One last year.
Even that was tinged with disappointment, however, as the 20-year-old – on loan from Crystal Palace – dropped out of the side this time last year and missed out on a triumphant playoff campaign.
But last month he landed at Leyton Orient and hit the ground running, helping Kevin Nolan’s side to seven points from a pos- sible nine in his first three outings.
That put the O’s into the top seven heading into this weekend and has Binnom-Williams dreaming of another triumphant finish to the campaign.
“I was unfortunate not to play in the play-offs and at Wembley, but I did play my part in the season and the push for promotion. It is something I would love to experience again and, if that is through the play-offs, it would be great to play at Wembley.”
In a perfect world, BinnomWilliams would still be at Burton, at the top of League One, but it didn’t quite pan out.
Under former Brewers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink he was a regular but, when the exChelsea striker left for QPR and Nigel Clough filled his shoes in December, that all changed.
Learning
Binnom-Williams didn’t play a single game under Clough and, after a mutual termination of the loan in January, he ended up at Brisbane Road under playermanager Nolan.
“I used to watch him when I was growing up. I saw him score some great goals,” he said.“Playing with him and learning off him is great. Hopefully I can carve out a career like him.”
And the feeling seems to be mutual.
“I thought he was fantastic,” said Nolan after the defender’s debut in a win at Notts County last month.“We’re delighted with his first performance.”
Binnom-Williams, who had watched Orient lose 4-0 at home to Northampton Town between signing on deadline day and making his debut, was simply pleased to hold his own.
“I didn’t think it was one of my best games,” he said, “but we had to fight and dig in and that’s what I showed.
“I didn’t expect to come in and start straight away. I have been playing Under-21s football, which is very different, and I didn’t play competitive games for two months before I left Burton.
“I just wanted to work my way in, which I have done.”
Now, after easing his way back into senior football, he can turn his attention towards Orient’s fight to return to the third tier.
“The boys are feeling good,” he said.
“We are confident and we are just working step by step.
“We just need to stay focused, like we are right now, and keep working hard.