In this series at Everything Orient, we take a look back at ex-Orient players and see where their careers have taken them since their departure from Brisbane Road.
Player Profile
Gary Sawyer featured for the O's on 69 occasions during a three-year stay in east London. Sawyer occupied the left-back position during his time with Orient and departed the club in 2015.
Where Have They Been?
The former Orient defender was born in Bideford, Devon and raised through the ranks at Plymouth Argyle's youth academy. Sawyer made his debut for The Pilgrims in 2006 against Colchester United and later made a handful of appearances for the Devon based side that season.
Following his impressive performances, Sawyer earned himself the Plymouth Argyle's Young Player of the Season award for the 2006/07 season.
Establishing himself as a guaranteed starter, the defender went onto make over 90 appearances during his first stint with Argyle before turning down a contract extension at the tail end of 2010.
Before Sawyer departed his boyhood club, the Argyle defender went on loan to Bristol City during the 2009/10 season but made just two appearances. However, following the expiry of his contract, Sawyer joined Bristol Rovers and was a key figure for The Pirates in his two-year stint at the club.
In the summer of 2012, Sawyer joined the O's and made the left-back position his own. The defender featured for Orient on 69 separate occasions but only found the back of the net once. This goal came against MK Dons in 2013.
Following Orient's relegation from League One, Sawyer was released for the east London side and found himself without a club in the summer of 2015.
Where Are They Now?
Following his release from Orient, Sawyer returned to his boyhood club, Plymouth Argyle, and was later named vice-captain of the club in 2016.
Since his return to Devon, Sawyer has made over 100 appearances for the club that gave him his first game in professional football.
Comments