The local Guardian lead with a story that the Italian had failed to file the 2013/14 accounts on time and were understood to be
under a transfer embargo. Also Football League rules state clubs who have reached the end of their season must inform
players of their intention to offer a new contract by the third Saturday in May, which was Saturday 16. The Guardian Series
understands the 12 players out of contract at Leyton Orient have been informed they will not be offered new terms, leaving just
12 senior players at the club. It is understood the ten senior players who were out of contract at Brisbane Road were informed
by letter they would not be retained. That means Marvin Bartley, Shaun Batt, Scott Cuthbert, Chris Dagnall, Andrea Dossena,
Harry Lee, Kevin Lisbie, David Mooney, Elliot Omozusi, Gianvito Plasmati, Gary Sawyer and Josh Wright will all depart. The
managerless O's are therefore left with 12 senior players and young professionals Charlie Grainger and Scott Kashket.
Whoever replaces Fabio Liverani as manager may be unable to replace those who have left.
Former player Ian Hendon would be the next manager according to rumour. Ferguson was too expensive and the club
reportedly spoke to Paul Tisdale and Paul Ince. Hendon has little in the way of management experience having only managed
Barnet for 74 matches, winning and losing 21 before he was sacked in April 2010. He was manager of Dover for a couple of
weeks in the same year before joining Gillingham as assistant manager. In July 2011 he joined West Ham as development
coach and in December 2012, he was promoted to the role of first-team coach.
Scott Cuthbert joined Luton on a two-year contract while young Sam Ling was linked with a move to Walsall. Father Martin is a
scout for the Saddlers. Kevin Lisbie signed a one-year contract for newly promoted Barnet.
May 29. Hendon was given the managers job on a two-year contract. This must be a backward step as the only difference
between him and Liverani is that he can speak the language. I doubt whether his knowledge of the bottom two divisions are that
much better than Fabio’s. Futhermore I can only name one manager, Martin LIng, who has firstly played for the club and
secondly managed them to a promotion place. At least not in the last 50 years! I have said this before that since 1965 we have
given men the chance of managing a club for the first time and it has not gone well. Only Jimmy Bloomfield, Frank Clarke (he
took us down in 1985 back in 1989) and Martin Ling have been successful. It started with Dave Sexton and then Dick Graham,
Bloomfield, George Petchey, Paul Went, Chris Turner and John Sitton, Pat Holland, Tommy Taylor and Paul Brush. In between
others were given a second chance were Ken Knighton, Peter Eustace, Geraint Williams and Russell Slade. Soccerbase has
the complete list. Not many left us and were successful. Not a good year.
Hopefully Hendon will now try and keep a few of the players that still do not have a contract with any club. My memories of him
as a player were if he had the ball then keep an eye on it as it could be heading your way. He had trouble keeping the ball on
the pitch let alone passing it to a player wearing the same colour shirt!
Goalkeeping problems continued as Legzdins left the club by mutual consent. A decision made apparently before Hendon
arrived. The club also finally admitted that a transfer embargo had been put on the club by the authorities due to late filing of
their accounts for 2013-14. Angelieri blamed someone other than the club saying “It's because of the previous company. We are
an Italian company and many small things take a long time but it is not a problem. There are no worries."
Hendon admitted his priority was to offer a contract to Chris Dagnall which makes you wonder how many others he would like.
Ignoring all the loan players and the Italians, tea bag players, in the team, out the team regardless of how they played include
Bartley, Lee, Batt and Sawyer I suspect will not be sought after. Wright, Omozusi and Mooney may?
Friendlies have be arranged at Bishops Stortford, Braintree and Woking. People have short memories. I came across this blog
site where they were debating the rumour that Wright and Mooney will be offered a one year contract. Someone commented on
another rumour that Colchester will offer him a two year contract “Colchester can have Mooney after last year....PLEASE take
him!!” Another commented the amount of assists Mooney had given to Cox. Someone also suggest that Cuthbert was no loss
and we could do better!.
First signings were defender Sean Clohessy and midfielder Sammy Moore on free transfers. Clohessy comes from Colchester
via Kilmarnock, Southend, Sailsbury and Gillingham amassing 302(9) league apps scoring 12 goals whilst Moore started his
career at Ipswich before leaving for Brentford, Stevenage and Dover but only clocked up 24(9) league apps before joining AFC
Wimbledon in July 2010. For the Dons he played in 157(10) league apps scoring 17 goals. Both have two-year deals. Clohessy
fell out of favour with boss Tony Humes at the end of February following his reaction to being substituted in their 2-0 defeat at
Doncaster Rovers. It proved to be Clohessy's final game for the U's and his contract was terminated last month, despite having
a year remaining on the two-year deal he signed last summer. There was no news on the ten players out of contract.
Meanwhile in Albania a warrant has been issued for the arrest of owner Francesco Becchetti for fraud-related offences and
money laundering. S’pose he won’t be going there for the hols?
McAnuff should be fit as he jetted off to play for Jamaica in Copa America. Orient cancelled their friendly with Bishops Stortford.
We lost Dagnall to former player Peter Taylor who now manages a team in India! Omozusi joined Cambridge United. Lisbie on
Liverani: “I didn’t work with him,” replied Lisbie when asked how hard it was under Liverani. “I couldn’t tell you that I worked with
him. We didn’t speak, there wasn’t any communication and we didn’t even have an argument. “I wish I could tell you we did
argue, but we didn’t argue, we would literally just walk past each other, but that is life. I don’t hold grudges.” Read more
We were linked with ex Hammer winger Blair Turgott who left them for a short term deal with Coventry. But he only played in
three matches scoring one goal. However, new boss Tony Mowbray decided against keeping him on and the 21-year-old is a
free agent this summer.
We drew MK Dons away in the League Cup and the first game of the season is at home to Barnet.
Hendon signed Blair Turgott and then West Ham striker Paul McCallum both on two-year deals though Blair’s was a one-year
deal with a one-year option. Turgott’s league career is not impressive having only amassed a total of 6(11) with Bradford,
Colchester, Rotherham, Dagenham and Coventry. His only appearance in a Hammers shirt was as sub in the FA Cup. The FA
Cup was the only competition he started for Bradford though he came on as sub four times in the league and three time in the
League Cup which is not impressive for a seven month loan spell. And without scoring a goal for them. In fact the only goals he
has scored, two, were at Colchester and Rotherham. He has also represented England from Under-16 level up to Under-19
level. He played for the Three Lions in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico in 2011. McCullum’s record is a little more
impressive having played in 20(16) league matches scoring ten goals. He started his career at Dulwich Hamlet before moving
to Upton Park at the end of January 2011. He was then loaned to Rochdale, AFC Wimbledon, Aldershot, Hearts and
Portsmouth where he failed to start or score for Pompey in a three month loan making only seven sub appearances. So he
replaces Lisbie, Batt, Mooney and Dagnall? Disturbing fact about McCullum from the Total Orient website: “He joined League
Two Portsmouth but only managed seven substitute appearances and he was sent-off late on in just his second game for the
club. In addition to the automatic three-match ban for violent conduct, the FA charged him with improper conduct, which resulted
in a seven match ban”. Read more.
Stan Bowles: Former Orient player diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Stan played 44 games for us 1980-81 scoring seven goals.
Sawyer joined Plymouth on a one-year deal whilst Mooney attracted interest from newly promoted Southend. Jabbo signed a
one-year deal with Carlisle after being released by Colchester. Scott McGleish has been appointed as first team coach at
Wealstone while continuing as a valuable member of the playing squad.
We let 12 players go which left 11 players, plus four new signings which makes 15 but need 18 to field a full team of reserves.
Need another three from somewhere.
We are are reportedly set to hand former Southend United midfielder Alex Woodyard a trial. Woodyard spent last season at
Concord Rangers where he won the supporters' player of the year. The 22-year-old former Southend United midfielder played
against us in both legs of their Johnstone's Paint Trophy area final in 2013. But he was released by the Shrimpers at the end of
the 2012-13 campaign. The England C international impressed in the Conference South last season and according to the Essex
Echo, he will go on trial in the coming weeks.
Adam Legzdins signed for Birmingham on a two-year deal with another year option.
June 29. Andy Hessenthaler joined us as assistant manager. He played with Hendon at Barnet and made him assistant
manager at Gillingham. Whilst managing Dover in his first season he led them to the Division One South title. He then helped
Dover to claim the Isthmian League Premier Division title in 2008/09. After achieving consecutive promotions as champions,
Dover reached the Conference play-offs, however they lost to Woking in the semi-finals.
Former Spurs wideman Andy Barcham has signed for AFC Wimbledon from Portsmouth. Ex winger Jason Demetriou, now right
back has signed for ex O's assistant manager Dean Smith at Walsall. The Cyprus International moved on to AEK Larnaca in the
summer of 2010 before making the switch to Anorthosis Famagusta three years later. He incurred the wrath of some O’s
supporters by appearing to dive when tackled. Former West Ham United defender Frazer Shaw is reportedly going on trial.
According to the South London Press, Shaw will attempt to win a professional contract with the League Two club this summer.
The England C international left-back spent last season at Dulwich Hamlet after joining from Billericay Town. Shaw worked
under Ian Hendon at West Ham in the development squad.
Mooney signed a two-year contract with Southend and Hendon added four backroom members of staff. Ex Orient stopper Lee
Harrison arrives as goalkeeping coach and is joined by new physio Peter Webb, strength and conditioning coach Craig Smith
and chief scout Ged Searson. Webb moves to E10 having previously served at Charlton Athletic, West Ham United, Queens
Park Rangers and Crystal Palace. Smith has also worked at West Ham United and was head of sports science for two years at
Northampton Town prior to that. Finally, Searson lists West Ham, Barnet and Gillingham – all clubs at which Hendon has been –
among his former posts.
I have been on holiday for the past 18 days so here is the news as it happened.
Before I went there was a rumour that we needed to off load the high earners which were named as McAnufff, Henderson,
Simpson and Lowry, earning £100,000 weekly between them.
6 July. We signed Mansfield Town striker Ollie Palmer on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old, who spent
the second half of last season on loan at non-league Grimsby, has scored 15 goals in 80 appearances so far in his career.
Striker Darius Henderson was released in order to 'pursue other opportunities'.
8 July. Harry Lee and Sandro Semedo have signed new contracts with the us. Midfielder Lee, 20, has put pen to paper on a
one-year deal after making seven senior appearances for the O's. Meanwhile, 18-year-old winger Semedo has penned a two-
year contract after impressing in the youth team.
9 July. Romain Vincelot joined Coventry for an undisclosed fee. Hendon admitted he was sold because he did not want to play
for the club.
10 July. Batt joined Lisbie at Barnet. We lost 2-1 to Braintree. McCullum got his first goal for the club. Hendon has revealed
defender Shane Lowry is likely to leave the club on a free transfer after having a relegation clause in his contract. He wasn't
taken on the Spain trip as should he have got injured we may have had to keep him for another year.
13 July. We are reportedly in talks to sign Peterborough United midfielder Jack Payne. And are considering signing former
Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Luke Howell. The midfield trialist played during the second half of the O's 2-1 defeat at
Braintree Town on Friday night after leaving Dagenham on a free transfer this summer.
15 July. Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley feels Alex Woodyard, who is believed to be on trial with us, has all the
attributes to succeed as a professional footballer. Two of the O's trialists are the aforementioned midfielder Jack Payne and
Dover Athletic defender Connor Essam.
17 July. Defeats in Spain continued, this time 3-1 to Middlesbrough. McCullum scored his second for us.
18 July. Bartley was signed by Hibernian.
19 July. We lost 2-0 to Huddersfield in Spain.
21 July. We beat local Spanish team Los Iberos CF 5-0. New striker Ollie Palmer grabbed a hat-trick, while he was joined on
the score sheet by Paul McCallum and Dean Cox. Hendon admitted he would not be signing Woodyard and Lowry's future is
still unclear after scoring for Birmingham. Coventry have reportedly offered him a two-year deal. Until then Hendon won't decide
to sign Frazer Shaw or Connor Essam.
23 July. McAnuff helped Jamaica reach first Gold Cup final. Henderson was linked for a move to Scunthorpe. He joined them
the next day on a one-year contract.
24 July. Clarke leaves the club to return north for family reasons.
Ex Os. After being released in March 2013, Billy Lobjoit made his Bishops Stortford debut in the 3-1 home loss to Brackley
Town before scoring his first goal for the Blues four days later in the 2-1 home defeat against Gloucester City. He joined Hendon
at the start of the following season before having spells at Boreham Wood and Billericay Town during the following campaign.
the 21-year-old Londoner spent last season back in Conference North with Gainsborough Trinity. Jamie Ness left Stoke for
Scunthorpe. Jayden Stockley went on loan to Portsmouth.
July 25. Away friendly at Colchester. Won 0-3 with goals from McCullum 2, and Kashket . Read the report here. Aiming to
replace Clarke Hendon played Danny Gabbidon, capped 49 times by Wales as well as trialists Essam, Shaw and Deniz
Mehmet a Turkish U21 (though born in London) who last played for Kayserispor four times letting in one goal. At 22 he is 6.3”
tall and surprisingly he joined West Ham in 2011/2012. Has gained notoriety for some nude pictures of himself that were leaked.
Team: Woods (Mehmet 61), Clohessy (Ling 85), Shaw, Essam (Gabbidon 46), Moore (Semedo 85), Baudry, Cox (Moncur 79),
James (Agyemang 85), Simpson (Palmer 61), McCallum (Kashket 74), Pritchard (Turgott 61). Attendance: 1,084 (including 308
Orient fans).
A friendly has also been arranged at Southend after one at Woking,
Of the players we have signed, or are on trial with the exception of Gabbidon, Clohessey and Moore, most have little or no
league experience:Frazer Shaw none
Blair Turgott 10(15) 2 goals
Paul McCallum 21(17) 10 goals
Connor Essam 75 (8) 8 goals of which 50 (4) and 7 goals were non league.
Palmer 41(39) 15 goals all non league with Grimsby and Mansfield.
Deniz Mehmet 4 but not league games in the UK.
Of the those that played at Wembley only Cox, Baudry and James remain. Of those that were in the sides that saw us relegated
were those three plus, Woods, Simpson, Pritchard and McAnuff.
If I cannot see us being promoted at the first attempt. With an unproven manager and players short of league experience we
may struggle to stay in the division. Let’s hope I am proved wrong. It could be that the non league players will have something
to prove as much as those without that much experience. Someone might point out that Leyton Orient is the Last Chance
Saloon.
27 July. We signed Frazer Shaw on a one-year contract and Conner Essam for an undisclosed fee from Dover on a two-year
contract. Also Millwall captain Alan Dunne on a two-year deal. O’s pulled off a surprise transfer coup after signing Burnley
goalkeeper Alex Cisak on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee. What I read into that we won’t be signing Gabbidon or
Mehmet whilst still waiting for Payne. Lowry will leave.
28 July. Nathan Clarke joined Bradford on a one-year deal whilst ex O Lee Barnard joined Crawley from Southend. Palmer got
one, Simpson two and Kashket one as we beat Woking 0-4. Team:Cisak (Mehmet 69), Clohessy (C) (Ling HT), Parkinson,
Dunne (Songo’o HT), Francis-Angol, Turgott, Moore (Pritchard HT), James (Moncur 69), Kashket (Agyemang 76), Palmer
(Semedo 69), Simpson. SUBS: Shaw. Yann Songo’o is a trialist and started his career in Spain (he is a Cameroonian) before
going to the USA. In 2013 he joined Blackburn Rovers on a two-year deal. He was loaned to Ross County but his total games
only totals 40. Also on trial were Zaine Francis-Angol and Jack Parkinson. Parkinson plays for Maidstone who he joined from
Working. Last season he scored ten goals for the Stones. Francis-Angol plays as a left back or left winger and left Motherwell in
June this year. Born in England, he represents the Antigua and Barbuda national team at international level. He has played for
Spurs reserves.
Parkinson and Essam could cost the club money in compensation. See this article which mentions George Porter.
1 Aug. We beat Bishops Stortford 2-4. McAnuff scored the first and Kashket scored twice in either half. Palmer got the other.
Trialists Zaine Francis-Angol and Yann Songo’o started in defence while Jack Parkinson lined up in midfield. Team: Woods,
Ling, Dunne, Songo’o, Francis-Angol, Turgott, Moncur, Parkinson, McAnuff (Semedo 80), Palmer, Kashket
SUBS: Cisak, Clohessy, Shaw, Essam, Baudry, Cox, James, McCallum, Moore, Pritchard, Simpson. Orient conclude their pre-
season schedule with a trip to Southend tomorrow (Sunday).
McAnuff has been linked with a move to Ipswich. If he leaves that makes 18 players to have left the club this summer. All of
which (except Lee) have vast amounts of League experience whilst only three of the nine players to have signed a contract has
any League games at all. In fact the other six would struggle to muster starting 50 League games between them. Hendon is
reported to have said he was happy with the squad even if we do not sign Payne and Lowry leaves.
2 Aug. Last friendly at Southend, won 0-1 with a goal from McCallum. Team: Cisak, Clohessy ©, Baudry, Essam, Shaw, James,
Pritchard, Moore, Cox, McCallum (Kashket 51), Simpson. Unused substitutes: Grainger, Parkinson, Ling, Agyemang, Moncur,
Semedo, Turgott, Palmer.
3 Aug. Baudry was made Club captain. It was rumoured that Parkinson would be offered a contract. London24 said “If the
youngster does join Hendon at Brisbane Road, it seems he will be able to provide cover in a number of different position”s.
Batt commented on last season “We had a great first year where we just missed out on promotion and then Barry sold the club
and things changed with a lot of different managers. A lot of rules changed and it wasn't a nice place to be.”
4 Aug. Dover and the club agreed a fee for Essam believed to be in the region of £20,000.
7 Aug. We will receive £525,000 after Hull City completed the signing of Brentford winger Moses Odubajo who we sold
Odubajo to Brentford last summer and have benefited from a 15 per cent sell on clause after Hull spent £3.5m on the 22-year-
old. Notts County signed the most players in the summer, 18. Yeovil signed 15.
8 Aug. Home to Barnet. England regained the Ashes. Simpson and McCallum scored a goal apiece within a minute of each
other in the second half to give us the points. In the first half all McCallum had to do was lob the keeper which he did but the ball
was well wide of the target. In the second half he hit the side netting from close range. Barnet had chances in the first half when
it seemed easier to score. Team: Cisak, Clohessy, Essam, Baudry, Shaw, James, Moore, Cox, Simpson, McCallum, Pritchard.
Subs: Woods, Kashket, Palmer (McCallum 95), Dunne (Moore 84), Turgott (Simson 88), Moncur, Ling. Lisbie was out with a
hamstring and Batt an unused sub. Jabo scored on his debut for Carlisle whilst Simpson was on target for Cambridge despite
being transfer listed.
BBC’s the Football League Show was replaced by Channel 5’s Football League Tonight which went out at 9pm then on Spike at
11.50 and back on 5 on Sunday at 10.05am. Seems to be more action as they also show the near misses.
11Aug. Away to MK Dons in the Capital One Cup. Own goal and out. We went into the lead via an own goal but two goals on
90’ including an own goal from Baudry put us out of the cup. Team: Cisak, Clohessy, Essam, Baudry, Dunne, Moore, Turgott,
Cox, Palmer, Kashket, Pritchard. Subs: Grainger, Simpson, Shaw, James, Adeboyejo, Moncur, Ling.
15 Aug. Away to Dagenham. McCallum put us into the lead with a header on 19, James converted penalty before a stunning
free kick from Cox made it 0-3 on 56’. Cureton got one back for them on 90. Team: Cisak, Clohessy, Essam, Baudry, Shaw,
James, Moore, Cox, Simpson, McCallum, Pritchard. Subs: Grainger, Kashket, Palmer (McCallum 71), Dunne (Baudry 80),
Turgott (Simpson 87), Moncur, Ling.
18 Aug. Home to Stevenage. It took 74’ before we took the lead via a header from Simpson. Turgott came on and got the
second whilst Palmer, who had also just come on opened his account five minutes into added time. Team: Cisak, Clohessy,
Essam, Baudry, Shaw, James, Moore, Cox, Simpson, McCallum, Pritchard. Subs: Grainger, Kashket, Palmer (McCallum 76),
Dunne (Cox 82), Turgott (James 60), Moncur, Ling. That took us to the top of the division. Wycombe and Hartlepoon were also
unbeaten.
Aaron McLean joined Barnet. Jabo got his side a point whilst getting his hat trick in a 4-4 match against Cambridge. The
Football League Tonight programme came in for some stick with the presenters being described as presenting a kids
programme. Who knows why the have a studio audience. Grainger is not on the bench because of any injury to Woods but
Hendon wants to give him experience on the bench. We will lose Cisak for the Luton and and Exeter games due to international
duty for Australia.
22 Aug. Away to Newport. We were two up in seven minutes thanks to McCallum via a header from a cross by Cox and
Simpson whose left foot shot from outside the area flew into the top of the side netting. Then it went pear shaped as Shaw’s
defending went on an away day and then an unstoppable shot from about 35 yards got Newport level before half time. On 59’
substitute Turgot’s low cross found Cox to put home. Four games four wins bettered by no other team in the four divisions.
Manchester City’s three from three being the closest. Team: Cisak, Clohessy, Essam, Baudry, Shaw, James, Moore, Cox,
Simpson, McCallum, Pritchard. Subs: Grainger, Kashket(Cox 74), Palmer (Simpson 54), Agyemang, Turgott (James 54),
Moncur, Ling. Should be more of a test in the next game at home to Bristol City who are fourth in the table.
Jabo got his seventh of the season against Wimbledon after Andy Barcham had put them in the lead. Lowry exercised his
option and left the club. Hendon got Liverpool left back Joe McGuire on a months loan.
A petition into the West Ham Olympic Stadium deal has been opened: West Ham has only contributed £15m towards the
£272m conversion costs of the Olympic Stadium, with the taxpayer footing the rest of the bill. Considering the cost to the
taxpayer, and the effect of this taxpayer subsidy on competition between clubs, a full public inquiry into the deal is needed.
29 Aug. Home to Bristol Rovers. Top of the World Ma. Cisak kept us in this match with a fine right handed save low down
before a2 soft penalty was given following a foul on McCallum which James put away. That was the only thing the ref gave us
for the rest of the match. A fine goal from Simpson gave us the points before half time as Rovers failed to worry our defence
probably why they have only scored five games in their four matches. Team: Cisak, Clohessy, Essam, Baudry, Shaw, James,
Moore, Cox, Simpson, McCallum, Pritchard. Subs: Grainger, Kashket, Palmer (Simpson 71), Dunne(Baudry 45), Turgott
(Pritchard 79), Moncur, McGuire. Three away games next: Luton 22nd in the table, Exeter 13th and Cambridge 9th. Top of the
World Ma? One of the last lines in the 1949 film White Heat spoken by James Cagney.
Hendon got his man as the transfer window closed when he signed Jack Payne from Peterborough on a season long loan in
which he cannot be recalled by his club. There will be an option to sign on a permanent basis at the end of the loan. He was not
signed early enough to be included in the JP Trophy at Luton.
1 Sept. Can’t beat ten men, sound familiar? We let a goal in after 29’ and James converted a penalty 30’ later but a late
deflected goal for the Hatters saved us the ignominy of a penalty shoot out. Hendon played youth teamers and players
previously on the bench. Team; 21 Grainger, 02 Clohessy, 20 Maguire, 04 Essam, 03 Shaw, 17 Turgott, 08 James, 14 Moore,
18 Pritchard, 19 Kashket, 09 Palmer. Substitutes 22 Semedo (Palmer 87' ), 23 Moncur (Clohessy 45' ), 28 Judd(James 83' ),
29 Adeboyejo, 33 Woods. Their man Marriott was sent off after making obscene gestures to the Orient supporters.
Hendon let Woods go on loan to Ross County until January which means Grainger will make his league debut at Exeter.
Hendon won the Manager of the Month award for League Two whilst Cox got the Player of the Month. Kiss of death.
5 Sept. Away to Exeter. Tough debut for Grainger. He gave away a penalty on 5’. Dunne did the same on 56’ and a goal either
side gave them a flattering 4-0 win. According to the BBC website we had 8% more of the play, they had seven shots, five on
target whilst we had 14/4. A fluke or we have peaked early? Away at Cambridge next. My Brother’s grandson Jamie plays goalie
and once asked me if I had any tips. My reply was, if you see an attacker running towards your goal with a defender, do nothing
as it is the defenders job to get a tackle in. Grainger came charging out to the edge of the area to give away the penalty. Dunne
for Shaw was the only other change in the team. Team; Grainger, Clohessy, Dunne. Essam, Baudry, Moore, James, Pritchard,
Cox, McCallum, Simpson Substitutes Shaw, Maguire, Kashket (Dunne 68), Palmer (McCallum 75), Sargeant, Turgott (Moore
58). Still top.
Lowry left for Birmingham and Kevin Nolan has been training with the team in the hope of getting a club after leaving West Ham
because he could not have a guaranteed regular place in the side.
12 Sept. Away to Cambridge. Cox was relegated to the bench to be replaced by Payne. On 53’ we were a goal down to ball
watching/no marking from Shaw. 18 minutes from time Simpson scored his fifth of the season to give us a point. Team; Cisak,
Clohessy, Shaw, Essam, Baudry, Moore, James, Pritchard, Payne, McCallum, Simpson Substitutes Maguire, Kashket,
Palmer(McCallum 77), Dunne. Grainger, Cox, Turgott (James 65). Still top.
The deaths were announced of Malcolm Graham at the age of 81 whist historian Alan Ravenhill was 77. Graham’s goals put us
in Division One for our only season. Ravenhill and Neil Kaufman were the first to put our history in a book.
19 Sept. Home to Wycombe. A shambles of a goal five minutes before half time put us behind. Far too much time and space to
the crosser of the ball let alone anyone attempting to close him down led to the ball being bundled over the line. Palmer came
on for James at half time and Turgott followed 11 minutes later and they made the goal that gave us a point. First Simpson’s
persistence robbed Wycombe of the ball and Palmer’s tenacity, making two tackles to win the ball before passing to Turgott. He
found Simpson to score his sixth of the season, two behind top scorer Jabo’s eight. Team; Cisak, Clohessy, Shaw, Essam,
Baudry, Moore, James, Cox, Payne, McCallum, Simpson Substitutes Maguire, Kashket, Palmer(James 45), Dunne. Grainger,
Moncur Turgott (MaCallum 56). Still top.
Reports that Nolan had turned down a contract were rubbished by Hendon as no such contract had been offered. It seems
though that he wants rid of McAnuff and rumour has it we tried to buy out his contract without success. His only hope is that
someone comes in for him in the January window. Does it make sense not to play him even if it is just from the bench. Bet
Tesco’s don’t sell too many spuds if the customer does not see them.
So how are all those out of contract/don’t want to play with you players getting on? Dossena is with FC Chiasso, Plasmati with
Lega Pro - Girone C club Calcia Catania. John Wright has made seven starts for Gillingham. Cuthbert gave away a penalty for
Luton and has also started seven matches. Omozusi cleared a certain goal off the line for Cambridge United and has started
four matches. Mooney has scored two goals in seven starts for Southend. Henderson has only started three matches without
scoring for Scunthorpe. Neither Lowry or Legzdins has started a league match at Birmingham. At Coventry Vincelot has started
nine scoring one goal. Sawyer at Plymouth has started nine. At Barnet neither Lisbie nor Batt has started a league match and
as far as I can make out the Indian Super League has yet to start so Dagnall has not played for Kerala Blasters.
26 Sept. Away to Northampton. Two goals in the 90th minute gave each team a point. Despite 63% of the play, 14 shots of wich
eight were on target we went behind from a corner before Cox free kick levelled the match. Team; Cisak, Clohessy, Shaw,
Essam, Baudry, Moore, Cox, Payne, Pritchard, Palmer, Simpson Substitutes Kashket(McCallum 87), Dunne. Grainger, Moncur,
McCallum(Palmer 77), James, Turgott (Moore 57). No longer top, third.
Maguire had returned to Liverpool. Not sure of the merit in getting inexperienced youngsters on loan then failing to play them.
29 Sept. Home to Carlisle. Despite having 15 shots with five on target we only scored one goal compared to Carlisle’s 5/3
scoring two. Carlisle went into the lead on 62’ followed by a Baudry equaliser two minutes later. Eighteen minutes from time
they got the winner. Team; Cisak, Clohessy, Shaw, Essam, Baudry, Moore, Cox, Payne, Pritchard, Palmer, Simpson
Substitutes Kashket(Shaw 87), Dunne. Grainger, Moncur, Agyemang, James, Turgott (Moore 75). No longer third, fifth.
Appearing on the Football League Tonight Show before his sacking Peterborough’s Dave Robinson said the teams with
strength in depth would be up in the promotion stakes by the end of the season. McCallum would be out for six months and
Hendon had loaned Sandro Semedo and Montel Agyemang to Welling United and Grays Athletic respectively. Semedo, who
signed his first professional contract with the O's during the summer, has signed for Welling on loan until January 9 2016,
though the O's have a 24-hour recall option. Agyemang has linked up with Ryman Premier outfit Grays Athletic on a work-
experience loan. The Blues are managed by O's youth team coach Mark Bentley and he could go straight in to their side for
Friday night's League game with Kingstonian. To Hemel Hempstead Town we loaned Victor Adeboyejo who goes straight into
the Tudors’ squad for their trip to Sutton United tomorrow. After spells with the academies of Arsenal, AFC Wimbledon and
Charlton Athletic, Adeboyejo moved to us in the summer of 2014. Home to Notts County next. A place for McAnuff?
Despite being a striker down Hendon signed defender Adam Chicksen on loan from Brighton signing an initial one-month loan.
He spent a month with us back in 2012.
3 Oct. Home to Notts County. County with 35 players on their books made nine changes. Whereas wee made one fromout 25
by including Chicksen to replace Shaw. Moore got his first goal for the club on 16’. Whilst wer were in changing room mode
County drew level a minute after the start. Cox fed Palmer who passed to Turgott for him to find Simpson to make it seven for
the season. Moore got his second on 84 from a drive all of 35 yards which most of us including me thought was going wide but
it slotted neatly into the top right hand corner of the net with their goalie a spectator. Team; Cisak, Clohessy, Chicksen, Essam,
Baudry, Moore, Cox, Payne, Pritchard, Palmer, Simpson Substitutes Kashket, Dunne(Simpson 86). Grainger, Moncur, Shaw,
James, Turgott (Payne 60). Back to third.
Hendon got Millwall striker John Marquis on a 93 day loan. The 23-year-old netted eight goals in 21 outings during a stint at
Gillingham last season and signed a new one-year contract with Millwall this summer. He has also had loan spells at
Cheltenham 8(5) 1 goal. Northampton 12(2) 2 goals. Torquay 5 with 3 goals and Portsmouth 4(1) 1 goal. Total League games
for the Lions: 20(26) 5 goals.
Away to Crawley next. The wanted this game called of because a couple of their loan players were in international duty but they
were told the rules only applied to you own players.
Oct 10. Away to Crawley. Dunne for. Things looked good from as early as the eight minute when Simpson put us in the lead.
But a goal on 27’ then another ten minutes later and a penalty on the stroke of half time meant we went into the break 3-1
down. No marking for the first goal and a hopeful left foot cross into the area found Cisak asleep at his near post. An iffy
penalty was then given and an even iffyer sending off (Dunne) meant we were down to ten men. Simpson got his ninth of the
season after good work by Marquis. Team; Cisak, Clohessy, Chicksen, Essam, Dunne, Moore, Cox, Payne, Pritchard, Palmer,
Simpson Substitutes Kashket (Payne 87), Grainger, Moncur, Shaw, James, Turgott (Cox 60), Marquis (Palmer 45). Down to
seventh.
Easide O writing in the Orientear pointed out that Hendon in his last season at Barnet had them top of the division early in the
season only to be in the bottom four at the end of it. By 4-09-2009 were 1st and after first eight games they had won four, drew
three and lost once. At the end of the season after winning at home against Chesterfield they lost the next six games winning
their last game of the season at home to Rochdale taking only six points from their last nine matches. They were 21st by end of
the season. But Hendon had already left them. A review of the first two months of the season are here. October and November
here. December and January here. February and March here. April and May here. They won their last game of the season to
stay up. Interesting quote “Upson, on loan from Ipswich, was one of three players arriving at Underhill and was strangely
underused despite looking a talented player. The much heralded arrival of New Zealand international winger, Chris James,
added further bemusement to the Barnet fans about the methods of Ian Hendon. James came on for the last few minutes of the
game against Chesterfield and promptly disappeared back to the subs bench and was not used again by Hendon. Ben Wright,
a striker arrived from Peterborough and was barely used, though Barnet fans may have taken this as a blessing as he looked
woeful”. Supporter Elliot Byrne writing in the local Guardian said “The biggest problem for me with Hendon is his stubbornness.
I appreciate, as many do, a manager sticking to his guns but Hendon has taken it too far” and “Finally, I think the Jobi McAnuff
situation is ridiculous. If the rumours going around are true, this is less of a criticism of Hendon but more so the upper
management at Orient. Either way, the Jobi situation has dominated the Orient press for the last couple months, to the point
where Hendon has become sick of getting asked about it. But questions do need to be asked.
Why is he being frozen out? McAnuff is a talented player, who captained Reading in the Premier League just three seasons
ago. He spent all summer playing for his country, competing against the likes of Leo Messi and Sergio Aguero in the
Confederations Cup before helping his country’s shock run to the Gold Cup final in America.
He is obviously still a player of immense quality and he would play a key part of the team this year, and even if you don’t rate
him he would be, at the very least, good cover in a small squad. I think I’d understand more if the club were more open
regarding the reasons for his exclusions. I personally don’t understand why he is being excluded”. Read it all here.
Home to third placed Oxford next.
Top award for O's Under-18 skipper
Broxbourne youngster and Leyton Orient U18s captain Michael Clark has received a place in the top 11 apprentice footballers
of October by the League Football Education (LFE).
He won the award due to great staff comments and his fantastic performances on and off the pitch.
He was heavily praised by LFE’s Gavin Willacy as he described the youngster as ‘an exemplary apprentice’. He has been
working extremely hard in all areas of his game, trying to be the best he can possibly be and is now getting important
experience with the reserves in the Central League as well as playing in the U18s team.
He is also on course to achieve DD in his BTEC at Rushcroft Foundation School - where his tutor Steve Reed named him as a
‘model student’- and is hoping to start a psychology course in the near future as well.
As a reward for his accomplishment Clark will be receiving £50 and a certificate for his work
Oct 17. Home to Oxford. Fightback. If Oxford manger got it right in the first half then he got in wrong in the second. To be
honest they were lucky to be two nil up at half time. Their first was an attempt by Baudry to clear but instead it journeyed only a
yard into the onrushing forward. The second took a huge deflection from a shot by ex loanee Lundstram. Baudry was back and
replaced the suspended Dunne. Marquis played instead of Palmer whilst Turgott started the game. In the second half Hendon
decided to drop both wingers (Cox and Turgott) and replace them with Palmer and Payne. A beautiful ball was played 30 yards
upfield to Palmer to head down for Simpson’s tenth of the season. Another cross pitch 30 yarder from Baudry found the head of
Palmer to Moore to lay back for Kashket to score his first for the club on 90’. Kashket had replaced the totally out of touch
Marquis though we were all wondering why it had taken Hendon 79’ to realise this. Oxford by this time were down to ten men
after their Graham was yellow carded for the second time after kicking the ball away after already being booked. The Oxford
manager then opted to put on two defenders. Whoops. Cisak kept us in the game with a great second half save. Team:Cisak,
Clohessy, Chicksen, Essam, Baudry, Moore, Cox, Pritchard, Marquis, Turgott, Simpson Substitutes Kashket (Marquis 79),
Grainger, Moncur, Shaw, James, Palmer(Cox 45), Payne,(Turgott 45). Up to third.
Oct 20. Away to Luton. Hendon decided to start with the same team we started the second half against Oxford. We went a goal
down on 33’ due mainly to a deflection from which two Luton players could have scored from given the lack of marking. Too
much ball watching. Two minutes after the break Simpson got his 11th of the season and this is how it stayed. Team:Cisak,
Clohessy, Chicksen, Essam, Baudry, Moore, Cox, Pritchard, Marquis, Palmer, Simpson Palmer. Substitutes Kashket (Marquis
79), Grainger, Moncur, Shaw, James(Marquis 88), Cox(Palmer 71), Turgott. Sixth.
Oct 24. Away to Morecombe. Lucky at last. The Shrimps were top of the goal scoring table on 31 but they had let it 26. This
time we had the luck as Payne’s attempt to block a clearance rebounded into the Morecombe net for the only goal of the match.
Still sixth. Team:Cisak, Clohessy, Chicksen, Essam, Baudry, Moore, Payne, Pritchard, Marquis, Simpson Palmer. Substitutes
Kashket (Marquis 79), Grainger, Moncur, Shaw, James(Marquis 63), Dunne, Turgott(Simpson 87). Cox played no part in the
match but Hendon denied any riff. Also denied was any interest managerless Swindon had in Hendon or any approach for
Simpson.
We were drawn at home to Staines in the FA Cup. A banana skin if ever there was one. Home to seventh placed Accrington
next.
October 31. Home to Accrington Stanley. Hapless. Windass scored the only goal of the game to give Stanley the points.
Hapless, Hendon’s decision to play three strikers in Palmer, Simpson and then play Marquis on the wing when we had a fit
winger in Cox on the bench. He replaced the hapless Marquis with Cox after 34’. Hapless, Baudry’s first half performance
especially in attempting to play Windass off side for his goal. Hapless, James when he came on for 30’. As for the rest they
were not much better with the exception of Palmer and Cisak. Team:Cisak, Clohessy, Chicksen, Essam, Baudry, Moore,
Payne, Pritchard, Marquis, Payne, Simpson Palmer. Substitutes Kashket (Essam 76), Grainger, Moncur, Shaw, James(Moore
60), Dunne, Cox(Marquis 34), Turgott. Down to seventh.
Chicksen returned to Brighton and we recalled Lee from his loan at Welling. Martin Ling was made the Swindon manager.
Nov 7. Home to Staines Town in the FA Cup. Won 6-1. Biscuit men. No so much Huntley & Palmer more Cox & Palmer.
Effectively this match was all over by the 33rd minute went we went 4-1 up. Hendon was forced to make changes as Pritchard
was on a ban and Essam would be out of action for six weeks following an ankle injury. Back came Shaw, Dunne, Turgott and
James for Chicksen, Essam, Marquis and Pritchard respectively. Palmer got us off the mark with a header at the far post
following a cross from Shaw. Shaw did it again a few minutes later when a low cross found Cox whose angled side footed shot
found the corner of the net. Turgott tried to get in on the act but his 20 yard shot was beaten away by the goalie but only as far
as Palmer to put the balll home. Cisak made a fist, literally, of two clearances the last of which he punched out to ex O Daren
Purse to lob back over everyone’s head to make it 3-1. He has put on a few pounds over the years but seemed to be enjoying
himself. Shaw was upended and Cox put away one of his trademark free kicks, On came Moncur for the injured Payne, Kashket
for Simpson and Marquis for Palmer. Kashket played a delightful ball to Marquis to score the fifth and in extra time Clohessey
made it six. Hoem to Henderson’s Scunthorpe in the next round. Team:Cisak, Clohessy, Shaw, Dunne, Baudry, James, Payne,
Turgott, James, Simpson Palmer. Substitutes Kashket (Simpson 69), Grainger, Moncur(Payne 63), Lee, Moore,
Marquis(Palmer 76),
Cox picked up an injury in training which will put him out for the season. Despite indicating we needed to strengthen the side
Hendon did no such thing for the visit to Hartlepool on Sunday. In fact Hendon allowed Lee to return to Welling for 28 days and
only chose five substitutes with no place for McAnuff. Make sense to you? No, me neither.
Nov 14. Away to Hartlepool. Lost 3-1. Despite going a goal up through Pritchard we gave away a penalty (Dunne handball) and
then two goals in the last 20 minutes. Team:Grainger, Clohessy, Shaw, Dunne, Baudry, James, Payne, Marquis, Pritchard,
Simpson Palmer. Substitutes Kashket (Pritchard 75), Moncur(Payne 63), Sargeant, Semedo. Turgott,(Dunne 86), No league
experience on the bench then? The situation as regards McAnuff needs to be explained. Jimmy Bloomfield once said he would
sign his worst enemy if he thought it would benefit the club. THAT is the right attitude Hendon. Whose ever fault it is he is not
playing should be made public. Man up or as the Snickers adverts says, GET SOME NUTS.
Hendon got 19 year-old QPR left-back Cole Kpekawa on a months loan He has only four league games under his belt. The
England Under-20 international has previously had loan spells at Colchester and Portsmouth and will be ineligble for FA Cup
matches. Does not sound like a good deal to me. We also signed French defender Jean-Yves M'voto on a two-month deal.
M'voto, 27, left Barnsley (38(5) League apps 2 goals), in the summer and has been without a club since, although he has
trained with the O's the last week. The centre-back began his career in England with Sunderland (no apps? but cost £300,000),
in addition to spells with Southend 15(2) League apps 1 goal) and Oldham (102(3) League apps 7goals).
It was also reported that players and coaching staff have been made to stay in a hotel this week after winning only two of their
past 12 matches in League Two. Club owner Francesco Becchetti made the decision following a 3-1 defeat at Hartlepool on
Sunday, which left Orient in seventh place. Hendon insisted this was not a punishment but what right has a football club owner
to kept his players families away from their loved ones? Sounds like a control freak to me.
Nov 21. Home to York. Won 3-2. A Baudry header got us going on 22’ (he went off inured three minutes later) before good work
by Marquis found the unmarked Simpson to tap home. Plenty of ball watching from the York players as there was from ours as
they pulled one back via a deflection before the break. A fine individual effort by Simpson when he got the ball on the edge of
the area nearest the goal line before cutting in to score his second on 64’ York got another one back four minutes from time but
we took the points. Team:Cisak, Clohessy, Shaw, M’voto, Baudry, Payne, Pritchard, Marquis, Simpson Moore, Palmer.
Substitutes Kashket (Pritchard 75), Kpekawa(Baudry 25), Sargeant, Turgott(Marquis 82), James, McAnuff(Pritchard 82),
Dunne. Finally a place for McAnuff. Not sure why Grainger was not on the bench. Sargeant had been loaned to Redbridge
earlier in the week. Attendance dropped below the 5000 mark. Away to top of the table Plymouth on Tuesday night.
Nov 24. Away to Plymouth. 1-1. The injured Baudry was replaced by Kpekawa and Moncur replaced him on the bench. Within
four minutes we were a goal up thanks to Simpson but he went off injured 33 minutes later. We made it to half time having only
38% of the play. They had eight shots at goal but not were on target whereas we had three with two on target. They had four
further shots two of which were on target and more importantly one was a goal in the 80’. Whereas we had a total of 15 shots
with seven on target with Marquis making most of the shots. Team:Cisak, Clohessy, Shaw, M’voto, Kpekawa, Payne, Pritchard,
Marquis, Simpson Moore, Palmer. Substitutes Kashket (James 90), Moncur, Sargeant, Turgott, James(Simpson 37), McAnuff,
Dunne. The win against York was put into context as Portsmouth beat them 6-0.
Nov 28. Home to AFC Wimbledon. Can’t win with ten men. Simpson put us ahead in the 10th minute. Marquis was red carded
for a second bookable offence. The Dons drew level ten minutes from time with a goal from Akinfenwa. Team:Cisak, Clohessy,
Shaw, M’voto, Kpekawa, Payne, Pritchard, Marquis, Simpson Moore, Palmer. Substitutes Kashket (James 90), Baudry(Palmer
56), Sargeant, Turgott(Simpson 75), James(Moore 95), McAnuff, Dunne. Out of the playoff places. The 3-2 win against York
was put into further context when they were beaten 1-5 at home to Accrington. The substitution of Baudry for Palmer left us
short on strikers and more so when Simpson came off. Whatever Turgott’s skills on the field are, winning the ball in the air is not
one of them.
Dean Smith left Walsall for the Brentford job. Sutton Coldfield Town have signed experienced frontman Iyseden Christie from
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League rivals Barwell. Supporters that I have spoken to are not happy with Hendon though the local
Guardian thought Becchetti was responsible for the McAnuff debacle. None more so than Elliot Byrne writing in the Guardian
saying “When I wrote my last fan’s view, in early October, I made the comment that ‘we will inevitably pick up injuries and
suspensions’ and ‘it does leave us with a problem’.
Sadly, a few weeks ago we picked up a couple of bad injuries, with Connor Essam out for eight weeks and Dean Cox out for six
months, which expectantly left us in a poor position.
With Alex Cisak away on international duty, we were struggling with players, our bench filled with youngsters and the oldest
player there was 21.
That has to be Hendon’s fault. It's easy to say that we’ve been unlucky with injuries, and there is certainly no denying that we
have, but we shouldn’t have allowed ourselves to be in the position where that became such a big problem. We should have
had suitable back up in positions and not relying on late transfers in November to sure up the team.
Also, tactically I think Hendon has struggled. We have arguably the best forward in League Two, in Jay Simpson who already
has 13 goals this term, but it boggles my mind watching some of the games and the plan basically consists of booting the ball
up to Ollie Palmer.
That, of course, works sometimes but it's a far too frequent method for the Orient team this year to be effective”. More here.
Dec 5. Home to Scunthorpe in the FA Cup. 0-0. With Marquis suspended, Kpekawa unavailable Hendon bought in McAnuff and
Baudry. Cisak (ankle) Simpson (ankle) and Moore (leg) were injured and replaced by Grainger, James and Turgott. Not much
in the way of goalscorers or league experience (bar Dunne) on the bench. Team:Grainger, Clohessy, Shaw, M’voto, Baudry,
Payne, Pritchard, McAnuff, James, Turgott, Palmer. Substitutes Kashket (Pritchard 60), Sargeant, Dunne, Semedo, Moncur,
Ling, Adeboyejo(Palmer 86).
Simpson won the League Two Player Of The Month award. McAnuff revealed that owner Becchetti was responsible for his four
month lack of playing but understandably was reluctant to say much more than “I’m not going to say anything. I’m obviously
happy to be back here. What’s gone is gone and I just want to look forward now to being involved and playing some games to
try to help the club achieve their goal. I can’t do anything about what’s gone. We’re in December now. I’m back on the pitch,
there’s a lot of football to be played and I want to be a part of it.”. More here. With thinking like that, the Slade debacle and the
admonishment in public of Henderson last season it is no wonder his countrymen backed the wrong side in the last war. Here
are a few Italian words you can Google to describe him though the first may give you an idea of what the other two may be,
idiota, Scemo, deficiente. Again I hope those people who wanted to see the back of Hearn and replaced by a millionaire are
ecstatic .
Away to seventh placed Mansfield next. Whilst Simpson and Essam are expected to be fit, Moore is now out for a month.
Dec 12. Away to Mansfield. 1-1 Ladies knickers, going down. Simpson scored his 16th of the season, a header from a fine
cross by McAnuff. Back came Simpson, Marquis, Cisak and Kpekawa, out went Pritchard, Shaw, Palmer and Grainger. We
leaked a goal before the break and it stayed that way. Team: Cisak, Clohessy, Kpekawa, M’voto, Baudry, Payne, Simpson,
McAnuff, James, Turgott, Marquis. Substitutes Kashket (Simpson 78), Dunne, Grainger, Shaw, Pritchard)Marquis 78), Essam,
Palmer 86(Turgott 63). Down to ninth. By my reckoning that is the last game for Kpekawa. FA Cup replay on Tuesday followed
by a home match against second from bottom Yeovil. I have to say that all the criticism of Hendon seems justified. He has failed
to replace long term injured Cox and it seems likely that there will be another inexperienced youngster back on the bench for
both games. Rumour has it that Dagnall has returned from his stint in India scoring six goals in nine matches. Hendon said he
would have words with the owners to see if he can increase his playing staff. Pity he didn’t have the guts to put a case for
McAnuff.
Dec15. Away to Scunthorpe ~FA Cup replay. Out. Lost 3-0. Doing well at half time to be 0-0 but M’Voto started the rot with an
own goal on 55’ they scored again five minutes later and again on 90’ which meant no lucrative game at Stamford Bridge in the
next round. Team: Cisak, Clohessy, Shaw, M’voto, Baudry, Payne, Simpson, McAnuff, James, Palmer, Pritchard. Substitutes
Kashket, Dunne, Grainger, Adeboyejo(McAnuff 72), Essam, Turgott(James 63), Marquis(Palmer 62). Supporter Elliot Byrne
writing in the Guardian was not happy: “What has become apparent in the last 20 games or so is a lack of squad depth has left
us reeling. A ridiculous lack of ability to stick the ball in the net, other than a single striker, and a lack of backbone once we
concede are also big concerns”.
Kpekawa’s loan was extended until January 16.
Despite extensive trawling of the web I have been unable to find what position Barnet were in the league week by week during
Hendon’s last season in charge 2009-20010. Except for this: after 11 games they were fourth. after 13, ninth, after 24 they
were 17 and finally ended on 21st with Grimsby and Darlington leaving the league.
Dec 19. Home to Yeovil 1-1. With injuries to Clohessy and Marquis Hendon bought in Kpekawa and Kashket and dropped
McAnuff in favour of Turgott. You have seen the comments of supporters in the Guardian all are critical of Hendon. I am no
exception. Having three midfield players and only one experienced striker makes no sense. Playing an inexperienced on loan
defender when you have a player like Dunne of the bench makes no sense. Hendon has signed four players with little or no
league experience and not signed enough players to sustain or maintain a league team. Payne went off injured just before half
time and was replaced by Palmer. They scored just before half time following a poor header by M’Voto. Kashket was replaced
by McAnuff on 55 and he scored a 30 yard screamer on 74’. And so it stayed. Down to tenth. Team: Cisak, Kpekawa, Shaw,
M’voto, Baudry, Payne, Simpson, Turgott, James, Pritchard. Substitutes Dunne, Grainger, Adeboyejo(Turgott 86), Essam,
Palmer(Payne 48), Moncur, McAnuff(Kashket 55).
John Still lost his job as Luton manager.
Dec 26. Home to Portsmouth won 3-2. Bad luck good luck. As early as the fourth minute we were a goal down against
promotion placed Pompey. A penalty scored by Simpson which saw the conceder Webster sent off, put us level on 22’. Just
before half time a cross from Kwepwana was met by the head of Palmer to the bottom right of the net to put us in the lead. Five
minutes into the second half Baudry won a free kick and was then shown the red card for violent conduct. Under a minute later
Palmer headed another goal this time to the bottom left and was promptly shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Evans, the scorer of the first goal of the afternoon, got a second 25’ from time but we hung on through seven minutes of added
time for all the points. Back up to ninth. Team: Cisak, Kpekawa, Essam, Clohessey, M’voto, Baudry, Payne, McAnuff, Simpson,
Palmer, Pritchard. Substitutes Dunne, Grainger, Turgott(McAnuff 87), Shaw(Simpson 73), Moncur, Kashket, Marquis(Palmer
81).
We wouldn’t be signing Dagnall as he was awaiting international clearance to join Bartley at Hibernian. Ex O’s Currie and
Hackett are looking after Daganham since Wayne Burnett was sacked. Two goals from Simpson for Cambridge kept Yeovil at
the bottom of the division whilst a goal from Mooney, his sixth of the season for Southend, kept Colchester at the bottom of
League Two.
Dec 28. Away to Bristol Rovers. Lost 2-1. We lost Baudry to a three match suspension and you would have thought Hendon
would replace a defender with like? Dunne or Shaw. No, Turgott. Make sense? Simpson got his 20th goal of 2015 and 18 for
the season. Team: Cisak, Kpekawa, Essam, Clohessey, M’voto, Turgott, Payne, McAnuff, Simpson, Palmer, Pritchard.
Substitutes Dunne, Grainger, Shaw(Mvoto 45), Adeboyejo,t Moncur, Kashket(McAnuff 73), Marquis(Palmer 73).
For Barnet Lisbie came on for 13 minutes whilst Batt sat on the bench as they lost at Cambridge.
So ends the games of 2015 with the first of 2016 being away to 19th placed Stevenage. We ended the year in 9th place with 36
points a point away from a play off place. Accrington and Cambridge were also on 36 points with the Stanley playing three
games less.
Next year 2016
return to page one