Ambition spurred move, says Dayton

James Dayton

JAMES Dayton says it was Athletic’s ambition which persuaded him to swap the security of a three-year deal north of the border for Boundary Park.

The Enfield-born winger was a hit at Kilmarnock, the club which offered him a second-chance route into the professional game.

Dayton’s manager at Rugby Park, Kenny Shiels, was so impressed by the 24-year-old’s ability he even tipped him for an England call-up last season.

Not a bad recovery for a player released by Crystal Palace in 2009 and forced to rebuild his career at the Glenn Hoddle Academy.

In turning down the Killie contract, Dayton felt it was time to have a shot at things in his home country once again.

And the influence of former team-mate Lee Johnson had an impact on his chosen destination.

“I’m settled now in a place to live and it’s all good,” said Dayton of his move. “I’m English, so I want to play in England.

“There was a chance to stay up there, as people know. I was offered a new three-year deal by Kilmarnock but I turned it down as I wanted to get back down here.

“The manager (Johnson) sold the club to me, really, with what he wants to do with the squad this year and the direction the club is going in.

“It was attractive for me to come here. He was only at Kilmarnock for a short time, but I know what he is all about. With what he wants to do with the squad and the team, this was a place I wanted to come to — a club going in the right direction.

“His plans to take the club forward were a massive thing for me.”