BIRMINGHAM'S in-form midfielder Olly Lee has thanked Dagenham & Redbridge for giving him his break in football.
Lee, son of former Newcastle star Rob, spent 21 games on loan at the Vic from West Ham in 2011 and says he was helped enormously by then boss John Still.
“I loved Dagenham, I can't speak highly enough about the place,” said the 22-year-old. “It was a great little family club – I was there for a couple of months in League One, a bit longer in League Two and it was great
“It's so much more enjoyable than any of the reserve team football you play and I look back with really fond memories.
“John Still was a great manager. He's the one who gave me my first foothold in League football and I could never thank him enough for that.
“I'm delighted to see him doing so well at Luton, and his success there – after so many have struggled – just shows what he's about. I don't think there's a better lower league manager around.”
