Midfielder Harry Lee said the reputation of Braintree Town manager Jamie Day and the quality players he has brought to the club were big parts of what attracted him to the Iron.

The 21-year-old is one of the club’s new signings that Day has made since taking over as boss and the ex-Leyton Orient youngster said it did not take much for him to be persuaded to sign.

Lee, who signed from Welling United and faced Braintree in the Vanarama National League last season, said his former manager at the Wings, Dean Frost, had recommended the switch from Kent to Essex.

And with Day having operated in the centre of midfield during his own playing career, he felt he could flourish under the guidance of his new boss.

“I worked under Dean Frost, who Jamie knows very well, at Welling and he said Jamie is a really good guy to work under. He was a central midfielder and I can learn a lot from him.

“I also knew that he’d bring in quality players and we would be competing.

“That’s the main reason why I came and I think he’s delivered.

“He has some great players here and we’re gelling now.”

Lee has been in action in Braintree’s opening pre-season games against Heybridge Swifts and Bury Town this week and will continue preparations as they face Southend United at the Avanti Stadium tomorrow and then Gillingham at home on Tuesday.

The midfielder is concentrating on building relationships with his team-mates at the moment as Day’s new squad looks to blend, but he feels Braintree fans will see the best of him as pre-season continues.

He added: “I’m an honest player; I’ll run and I’d like to think I’ve got a bit of quality about me as well.

“When the fitness kicks in, hopefully people will get the chance to see that.

“I don’t score too many goals myself, but I’m hoping this season that I can with better players around me.

“With two players up front, I think I’ll get the ball a lot more in the final third.

“So I’m looking forward to it.

“I think the expectation of battling towards the top end of the league should still be there this year.

“The club have brought a good group of experienced players together, with the likes of Lee Barnard and Jack Midson and then having players like Simeon [Akinola], Cheeky [Michael Cheek] and Chez [Isaac] who were here last year – I think we can be pushing for it again.

“We will gel over pre-season and I really believe we can be a force when the season starts. This period in pre-season is all about us gelling together.

“They’re all good lads who have come in and we have to make sure we’re all pushing in the same direction.

“Everyone wants to do well and we’re not here just to make the numbers up.

“We’re here to compete and the players who the manager has brought in are all quality.

“The next few weeks over pre-season, I think you’ll see it all come together.”