NEW signing Damien McCrory admitted it hadn t been a difficult decision to join Dagenham & Redbridge from Plymouth Argyle after moving on transfer deadline day.

by MIKE SIMMONDS

NEW signing Damien McCrory admitted it hadn't been a difficult decision to join Dagenham & Redbridge from Plymouth Argyle after moving on transfer deadline day.

The 19-year-old was also wanted by Grimsby Town, where he had spent almost three months on loan already this season, making 11 appearances.

But he opted to put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year deal at Victoria Road, preferring a possible promotion charge to a relegation battle.

Interested

"I heard about their (Daggers) interest a while ago, my agent told me they were interested and then it came out that both them and Grimsby had put an offer in for me," McCrory told the Post.

"I quite enjoyed my time at Grimsby, but it was just the league position that put me off really and I'm happy to join a club that are pushing to get out of the league now."

McCrory has already had first-hand experience of Daggers this season, as he was part of the Mariners team who held John Still's side to a 1-1 draw at Blundell Park back in December.

"I didn't think they were at their best that day, and I thought we did quite well in the first half," he said.

"But for the last 20 minutes they were piling the pressure on us and we did well to hold out."

The full back has yet to meet his new team-mates, or his manager in the flesh for that matter, but he has already formed a good impression of the Daggers supremo.

"I haven't met him, but I have spoken to him on the phone and he seems like a really good guy," said McCrory.

"He always kept in contact and was looking after me. I don't know any of the players either, but I believe they're a good set of lads.

"I've heard of (Paul) Benson and (Danny) Green on the wing, he's a good player, but I haven't really heard of anyone else.

"I'm travelling down on Wednesday and then in for training on Thursday and Friday, where I will get to meet them."

McCrory has at least been to the ground before, making the trip with Port Vale last season and although Victoria Road is slightly different to the likes of Plymouth and even Grimsby, his new home didn't phase him.

"I've been to the ground once even though I wasn't playing," said the defender, who had a second spell at Vale Park early in this campaign.

"I don't really care what the stadium is like, I just want to get involved now."

The youngster's aims aren't just restricted to the domestic scene either as he has already represented Ireland at under-18 and under-19 level, and is hoping to move up the ranks in the coming years.

"I have played under-19s on a European tour and also at under-18s too," said the Limerick-born teenager.

"I've got three years left to play for the under-21s, which is what I want to do, and then ultimately, it would be great to make the senior side."

The full back can also give Daggers options further up the field as he started his career in the west country as a fleet-footed winger, before making the step back to defence.

He has retained his attacking senses though, and has promised to showcase his talents to the Victoria Road faithful.

"I was a winger when I was at Plymouth, I played there all the time," said McCrory, who didn't make a first-team appearance for Argyle.

"But when the left back got injured there, I went into that position and played well, so after that I was always in the side as a left back.

"I like to get forward and get crosses in and I also like a challenge too, so it's the best of both worlds."

Coincidentally

McCrory's first match is coincidentally against Northampton, who were the same opposition when he made his league debut for Grimsby this season in a 0-0 draw.

With Daggers dropping out of the play-off places for the first time last week, he is now going to do his utmost to help them reignite their promotion push.

"I want to make my place in the side and hopefully push for the play-offs," said the youngster, who admitted seeing the likes of Scott Griffiths earn big money moves to Peterborough played a part in his move.

"It's good to see that if you do well then other clubs will be watching you, but I'm not thinking about that to start with.

"We could still make promotion and be in League One next season, or through the play-offs, which would be a chance to play on TV too, which is exciting.

"We did quite well at Northampton with Grimsby and I'm definitely expecting three points this weekend."

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