Sean Clohessy admits he turned down offers from League One clubs to join Braintree Town in the National League.

The 29-year-old former Colchester United and Southend United defender has signed for the Iron after being released by Leyton Orient and made his debut as Braintree beat Eastbourne Borough 7-0 in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.

He said the chance to come to the Iron fitted in with his desire to stay in this part of the country after leaving the O’s, who he made 47 appearances for last season.

He said: “I had been speaking to the (Braintree) manager for the last two to three weeks and I was relaxed about where I wanted to go.

“There were a couple of things that fell through a bit higher up and you get to the stage where you feel you need to play games.

“I’d been working hard on my fitness, but this is a chance to keep it up and play some games.

“Then we can see where things go.

“I played in the Conference when I was between the ages of 19 and 21 at Salisbury.

“We had a good team then with people like myself, Matt Tubbs and (Jamie) Turley, who have gone on to play in the Football League.

“So I know what it’s about.

“It’s a move that can work on both fronts – for me and the club here. The Gaffer came in and spoke to me as he feels he needs a bit more experience in there.

“He knows I’m from a higher level and that’s where I want to be at, but I know this level is good and I need to get games.

“My family situation determines for me what I do.

“I have a child in school and another on the way, so that was the main thing for me when I left Leyton Orient.

“I turned down offers to go up north in League One.

“That doesn’t interest me as I’d rather be happy in my life and not chasing deals around the country.

“I limited myself to a certain amount of clubs and if I have to bide my time but this is the Conference and it works both ways for Braintree and me.

“They get me and I get to play some games.

“From then on, we will see where things go and we can both benefit from the deal.”

Braintree boss Hakan Hayrettin added: “The club endorsed for me to go out and get a player who I’d been tracking for a while but one who I didn’t think we’d ever get to Braintree Town.

“We’ve had Barney Williams in at right-back and he’s done well but I thought we needed more of an experienced player in there.

“It doesn’t mean Barney’s not going to play again but I just thought we needed something else in there.

“The club have endorsed it and I’m thankful to them for that as he’s brought valuable experience into the team.

“His voice in the changing room is paramount, the information he gives and people look up to him.”