Leyton Orient appear to have found another prolific goalscorer in Dom Ballard, following in the footsteps of their previous loan star, Charlie Kelman.
Ballard has become Orient’s latest 20-goal-a-season man.
Ballard’s Breakout Season at Brisbane Road
Orient may have found an even better player in Dom Ballard, who is out in a league of his own regarding domestic goals this term. The 21-year-old striker has scored 22 times in the league this campaign. Only Erling Haaland, also with 22 goals, equals Ballard’s tally in England’s top four divisions.
Ballard arrived at Brisbane Road with just six senior league goals to his name. He matched that total in six games, including a hat-trick.
Ballard was named the EFL Young Player of the Month award for March.
Finding Stability and Support
Ballard credits his current form to finding a home at Leyton Orient. “Being settled and having the support of the people around me [has been huge],” Ballard said. “When I first came to Orient, everyone at the club was so supportive and believed in me, even after the year I had [last season]. There was still that belief in what I was capable of doing.”
Navigating Earlier Loan Spells
Ballard previously played for Reading, Blackpool and Cambridge. Last season, he managed just one league goal at Blackpool and two at Cambridge. There were factors that contributed to his struggles last year.
At Blackpool, Ballard was initially signed by Neil Critchley but later played under Steve Bruce, whose style of play differed. Cambridge struggled, averaging less than a goal per game and facing relegation.
Ballard reflects positively on his time at Blackpool, despite the challenges. “I’d never take [last year] back because I learned a lot at Blackpool about myself,” Ballard explains. “Steve Bruce probably doesn’t use the sort of style of play that I suit, but he also taught me loads of things that I wouldn’t have learned in the 21s.”
Ballard found it difficult spending only a few months at a club. “When I was going out on loan and only spending a few months at a club you don’t feel as much of a connection as you do with your parent club. I found that hard. I’m a big football
Leyton Orient came close to Championship promotion last year, helped by loan players such as Josh Keeley, Jamie Donley and Charlie Kelman.
Kelman scored 21 goals and won the League One Golden Boot. Charlton then signed Kelman on a permanent deal after beating Orient at Wembley.