2023 - A Year In The Life Of A Leyton Orient Supporter as it happened Other years: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Leyton Orient Diary part 1 to 1925 Part 2 from 1950 Part 2a from 1965 from 1968 from 1968-1972 from 1972 from 2002 2009-2010 here. Previous year We started the year in 1st place on 53 points. Connor Wood joined Colchester on loan for the rest of the season. 2 January. Away to Northampton (1-0). Drinan played no part in the match, Pratley returned but Moncur warmed the bench as did Clay. Wareham got a start. Again Smyth did not take part. Happe went off injured after 18 minutes and Beckles got sent off four minutes after the 90. The Cobblers got the winner on 51’. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 32 Hunt, 19 Beckles, 5 Happe, 15 El Mizouni, 18 Pratley, 12 Brown, 23 Kelman, 13 Wareham, 11 Archibald. Subs: 1 Sargeant, 40 Duke-McKenna(Hunt 79), 6 Thompson, 24 Sweeney, 14 Moncur(Pratley 70), 8 Clay, 4 Ogie(Happe 18). BBC report. Video highlights. With Stevenage winning our lead was cut to two points. Home to Doncaster on Saturday. The supporters were not happy. Here are some remarks: The Beckles sending off was utterly mindless. He has cost us the game today imho. Got bailed out by Happe at the expense of injury, failed to clear on the edge of the box contributed to the Northampton goal and compounded it all by needlessly getting sent off. P…poor.�� Wareham and Kelman haven’t got it for the hustle and bustle of league 2 football. Could have played all year and still not scored. Kelman/Wareham totally anonymous. Beckles dropped Happe in it, nearly gave away a goal then got sent off. I wouldn’t give Beckles another contract, that was before today. He’s an ok L2 player. In the post match interview Wellens was at a loss to know why Beckles goal was disallowed and queried the merits of playing three games in seven days (we played three in six) and jeopardise the livelihoods of players. He did not rate the ref or the fourth official. Said we had been lucky so far with injuries but now we had two this match as Happe came off and Ogie felt a hamstring. Martin Ling gave an update on incoming players which because of sickness, injuries and suspensions had shifted to include a centre back. They had bought Ethan Light to the club but he is an 18 year-old project from Burnham. Four players had been offered new contracts for League One and League Two and answers were expected before the coming Friday. Vigouroux, Beckles, Smyth and Happe I think. An article by a former referee gave this explanation as to why the goal was not allowed: “As the Leyton Orient free kick is taken, Leyton Orient 23 is clearly in an offside position. With the ball deflecting off the Northampton Town wall – as opposed to being deliberately played – it is correctly adjudged to be offside once the player becomes active by playing the ball.” I would have thought that being in a wall you are deliberately playing the ball? Rather like putting your hand up to protect your face and the ball deflecting off your hand/arm. You are deliberately playing the ball and if inside the area, penalty. Ling said there would be at least one or two players coming in by Friday. I am writing this at 9.50am Friday and as of yet no signings. Either we are not offering clubs the money they desire or players don’t want to play for us. Plenty of rumours: Macaulay Bonne was released by QPR. Sheffield Wednesday’s Akin Famewo but one supporter pointed out that has suffered from many bad injuries and has only played 60 times in 10 years. That statement was retracted later. He has played over 50 games for Charlton in the last two seasons. Gordon at Palace though he has yet to play in their first team. Bristol Rovers defender Alfie Kilgour. Southend United’s Shaun Hobson. Fee of circa 50k agreed, Wellens very keen, location a huge factor in the move. That was two days ago. Ex O’s managers: Jacket was announced as Director of Football and Andy Hessenthaler (he left his job as manager of Dover to take the position) as Head of Recruitment at Gillingham who sit at the bottom of the division on 14 points with Rochdale and Hartlepool above them on 16 and 19 points. Andy replaced ex O defender Nicky Shorey who left mutually in December. Ex O’s players: Koroma on loan at Portsmouth lost his manager Danny Cowley. Kiprianou at Peterborough lost his manager Grant McCann. Crawley had sacked their manager after 32 days and the Swindon manager walked out there to take over the post. In his post match interview Wellens said there would be nobody coming in before tomorrow. This in the main due to players/agents being more interested in their wages than how they would fit in with the team. They are talking to two players and hopefully will sign early next week. Happe would be out for the season and Ogie for eight weeks. Thompson would play but not match fit, Smyth is fit, Smith still tied to Exeter and Drinan and Sotiriou have not trained all week. We would only be able to sign Macaulay Bonne for a week given the money he was on. Even on reserve team wages I assume. 7 January. Home to Doncaster Rovers (1-0 Archibald). Every player a hero. Brown was moved to centre back and Thompson returned despite only having 70’ under his belt in the last three months, and that was Tuesday. A game of few shots, 18 in total and Rovers had eight of them none of which were on target. Drinan, who had not trained all week ran himself into cramp whilst Sotiriou’s shot had their keeper on the hop. The breakthrough came on 68’ just outside the box when Archibald took a cleared ball on his right foot and lobbed the ball over the keepers head With his left for the winner. It was heralded by a flock of green parrots, a lightning flash and a monsoon. Duke-McKenna impressed most with his 15’ cameo. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 32 Hunt, 6 Thompson, 7 Smyth, 15 El Mizouni, 18 Pratley, 12 Brown, 14 Moncur, 11 Archibald. Subs: 1 Sargeant, 40 Duke- McKenna(Smyth 80), 10 Sotiriou(Moncur 52), 24 Sweeney, 8 Clay, 23 Kelman(Drinan 88), 13 Wareham. BBC report. Video highlights. The U18’s lost their first match of the year at Brentford 1-0. No line-ups in the match report. Leeds have signed teenage forward Sonny Perkins on a three-year deal following his exit from West Ham this summer. We had loads of clauses when he left us for West Ham as a 14 year-old according to Martin Ling but he left the Hammers for nothing so we will get nothing I suspect. Jamie McCart, Rotherham, is the latest to linked to us. In the FA Cup Stevenage beat Aston Villa in the Midlands which may do us a favour. Johnson scored for Walsall and Demetriou for Southend. Dalby scored an FA Cup goal for Wrexham who are second in the table to Notts County. In the bottom four are former league clubs Scunthorpe and Torquay. The three clubs above them are Yeovil, Aldershot and Oldham. Thursday 12th 1600. Still no signings. Must be harder than thought. WBA and Middlesbrough are interested in signing Daniel Nkrumah who has just agreed to stay at Welling for the remainder of the season. Scunthorpe are facing a winding up order from HMRC. They are bottom of the National League. Jayden Wareham was recalled from his loan, no doubt not enough game time for him though he did look like a boy doing a man’s job. He joined Wimbledon. Ex O’s: Glenn Morris left Crawley for Gillingham and Macauley Bonne QPR for Charlton, Lee Angol Bradford to Sutton. Koroma returned to Huddersfield from managerless Portsmouth. At something gone 1300 next day we signed the Wales U21 captain 20 year-old Ed Turns on loan from Brighton. The transfer committed had watched him ten times though not for their first team. He last started for them two weeks back in an U21 match against Crystal Palace U21 wearing the four shirt. The 6ft 1in left footed centre back he has a single Welsh cap. 14 January. Home to Barrow (0-0). As Wellens put it “we just wasn't bright enough we played too slow we played across the back too slow with everything that we worked on we just wasn't crisp enough we we didn't deserve to win.” Turns made his début and was booked on 22’. Drinan would be out four weeks, Archibald felt a calf strain and both did not play. Sotiriou started but did nothing to suggest he should have though a fine through ball from Pratley saw his shot cannon off the goalie. Sotirou’s fine cross was met by the head of Smith but the ball went over the bar. James was booked for a mindless handball then picked up another yellow to get himself send off four minutes after the ninety. 65% of the play but only four shots on target. Out of 13. Duke-McKenna came on then limped off after 24’. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 32 Hunt, 6 Thompson, 43 Turns, 7 Smyth, 15 El Mizouni, 18 Pratley, 10 Sotiriou, 23 Kelman, 14 Moncur. Subs: 1 Sargeant, 40 Duke- McKenna(Moncur 64), 28 Nkrumah, 24 Sweeney(Duke-McKenna 88), 8 Clay(El Mizouni 74), 12 Brown(Pratley 63), Smith(Kelman 75). BBC report. Video highlights. More from Wellens: I'm gonna try and get a winger stroke ten this week.” “this week, we definitely need two I would like three.” But as of 1744 Monday there were none. Chasers Northampton lost and Stevenage, like us, could only draw. Away at Stevenage next then away to Tranmere. Another rumour was 19 year-old Xavier Simons from Chelsea who was still on loan to Hull. Angol (Sutton) and Wareham (Wimbledon) did not feature for their clubs. Danny Johnson returns to Walsall this week having scored 15 goals for Mansfield. Yeovil Town signed midfielder Jordan Maguire-Drew on a permanent deal following his departure from Grimsby Town. And Boreham Wood midfielder Jack Payne has signed a contract extension to run until the end of the 2024-25 season. Hakan Hayrettin has been sacked as manager of Maidstone United, George Elokobi the club's former captain, has been placed in caretaker charge of the team. The Stones are bottom but one in the National League. 17 January. We signed 25 year-old Jamie McCart on loan from Rotherham for the rest of the season. The 6’1” left footed Scottish centre back started his career at Celtic in 2016 making one appearance for them before being loaned to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, St Mirren and Alloa Athletic before signing for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2018. Two years later he joined St Johnstone which is where he joined Rotherham from last summer. In all he played 155 games (195 in all competitions according to Soccerbase scoring five) for the Scottish teams scoring four goals but has only played a total of 76’ in any one match this season (v Huddersfield Dec 29). Before that only 45’ in October. In the other five matches he only played 54’ being unused on the bench for ten matches. 19 Thursday. Coleman was recalled from Bromley pending a permanent transfer away from the club. He joined Gillingham (and Kenny Jackett) for an undisclosed fee. 20 Friday. We signed Jordan Lyden who last played for Swindon but was out of contract in the summer after an Achilles tendon injury in February with his last match on 5 February coming off after 67’. The 26 year-old Australian midfielder has joined on a short contract until the summer. He played under Wellens at Swindon. A Swindon boarder in September had this to say “Sad to see him go tbh but his injury record is simply dreadful.” Another “Every time he got injured I always thought back to what someone said(on here I think) a Villa fan had told them when we signed him. "Good player, made of Weetabix".” He started his career at Aston Villa before being loaned to Oldham. In total he has made 52(23)apps scoring three goals. He has not played in any games this season and only only 14 last season but no doubt he was one of four trialists that lost 1-3 to Brentford in a friendly earlier this week. Another rumour (before the Lyden signing) was Bolton’s Kieran Sadlier. A former West Ham youngster that notched up four goals and two assists in 27 games across all competitions this season but 17 of his 18 League One outings have come off the bench. Now, Football League World claims Bolton Wanderers could let Sadlier leave this month, and he’s not short of options. They claim fellow League One pair Charlton Athletic and Barnsley are keen, as are League Two promotion candidates Leyton Orient. Sadlier has scored 19 goals in 95 League One games over the course of his career, also chipping in with seven assists while playing in a range of midfield roles. We turned down a bid from Middlesbrough for Nkrumah but they are expected to bid again. Duke-McKenna would be out for the season. 21 January. Away to Stevenage (3-0). Shambles. With James suspended most thought (me included) that Brown would move to right back. Wellens decided that Thompson should play at right back with McCart coming in. Archibald, Smith and Moncur were on the bench with Lyden. The match was over by the 11’ when we went 2-0 down. El Mizouni having been booked earlier, handballed on 45mins and was sent off. Stevenage got a third in added time. Brown misjudged his tackle for the last goal and the first two were because of our inability to rise to the ball first. Thompson was sacrificed on 35’ and replaced by Smith. No shots on target. Consensus appears to be that we have signed three players who will not be with us come June. One has barely played league football, one has played a total of what is the equivalent to two games this season and the other has not played a football match since an injury last February, shades of Reilly. And not a new striker in sight. Sotiriou should not be playing on the wing. Of Lyden Wellens said “Jordan is a fantastic character with a point to prove, and he's settled in well already, and will be keen to push those in front of him.”. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 33 McCart, 32 Hunt, 6 Thompson, 43 Turns, 7 Smyth, 15 El Mizouni, 18 Pratley, 10 Sotiriou, 23 Kelman, 12 Brown. Subs: 1 Sargeant, 28 Nkrumah, 24 Sweeney, 8 Clay(Kelman 45), 14 Moncur(Sotiriou 83), 11 Archibald(Smyth 67), Smith(Thompson 35). BBC report. Video highlights. Still top but only two polints clear. That may change on Tuesday when Stevenage visit sixth place Swindon. Following a frost ridden week only three matches were on in our division and two in the National League. Away to fifteenth placed Tranmere next Saturday. Wellens comments “Shambolic, did not compete, too many touches [on the last two sendings off].” Kieran Sadlier came on for Bolton on 87’ and scored six minutes later. Not enough to stop a defeat at Derby. Brophy’s Cambridge lost 5-1 at Shrewsbury and slipped into a relegation place. Coleman didn’t turn out for Gillingham, nor Marsh for Oxford. Xavier Simons decided not to join us but to stay at Hull. The Swindon match was postponed so we will stay top until Saturday. Stevenage are still in the FA Cup so no opportunity to narrow the gap on us. 27 Friday. We signed Sadlier on loan until the end of the season. League career since starting for St Mirren in 2015, but he is Irish, appearances 114(75) 65 goals. Played in 78 games in the two seasons before this one when he played 28. 28 January. Away to Tranmere (1-0). Another match without scoring and two matches on the bounce without a shot on target. Brown would be out with a hamstring for 4/5 weeks. Smyth had barely trained during the week and then felt his quad in the warm up. Strange he should be on the bench. Surely Sweeney would be a better option. Opinion on the new boys was varied a ranged from anonymous to Can’t remember any contribution of note and Some glimpses. Their winner was an own goal from Beckles on 82’ after poor defending from James and Hunt. Smith missed a sitter that hit the bar. Byrne replaced Sargeant on the bench. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 33 McCart, 19 Beckles, 32 Hunt, 17 Lyden, 14 Moncur, 18 Pratley, 34 Sadlier, 11 Archibald, 23 Kelman. Subs: 1 Byrne, 8 Clay(Moncur 54), 43 Turns, 7 Smyth, 6 Thompson(Sadlier 89), 10 Sotiriou(Lyden 71), Smith(Kelman 71). BBC report. Video highlights. Still two points clear at the top. Carlisle narrowed the gap after winning at Rochdale. Couple of the boys have gone out on loan to Witham Town (Isthmian League North Division) - both Charlie Pegrum and Emmanuel Kwatchey were involved in a 1-0 victory against Bury Town on Saturday. 31 January transfer deadline. Ex O Dan Kemp left MK Dons for a loan to Hartlepool. We were once interested in Kabongo Tshimanga (allegedly), and he left Chesterfield and joined Peterborough on loan. Jayden Stockley left Charlton for Fleetwood for an undisclosed fee. Tyrese Omotoye Norwich - Forest Green undisclosed fee. Burton Albion have signed defender Neal Eardley after his contract expired at League One rivals Lincoln City. Victor Adeboyejo joined Bolton Wanderers from Burton. Meanwhile the latest on our front was we made an inquiry to Ipswich Town about the availability of striker Tete Yengi. A 22 year-old Australian who has yet to feature for the Tractor Boys but was on loan to Finnish top-flight side Vaasan Palloseura last season, scoring eight times in 29 appearances. Interest has arisen in his services and his contract is up at the end of the current season. He signed for Northampton. New boys: four players 653’ over 28 apps. 90 mins played twice by Turns then 81 Sadlier, 76 McCart, however Sadlier had made 10 other apps playing 699 mins scoring four goals playing 90 mins four times. 4 February. Home to Wimbledon (1-0 Moncur). Pre match Wellens said that Smyth would be out injured and two other players had not trained all week. They may have been McCart and Smith as they played no part in the game. Neither did Pratley. Back came Turns and Sweeney. El Mizouni but James was benched. Ogie and Drinan also returned to the bench. Goalless at half time. James and Clay replaced Lyden and Sweeney on 53. Eleven minutes later Moncur collected a pass on the left via El Mizouni and James to slot the ball home for the only goal of the match. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 24 Sweeney, 43 Turns, 19 Beckles, 32 Hunt, 17 Lyden, 14 Moncur, 15 El Mizouni, 34 Sadlier, 11 Archibald, 23 Kelman. Subs: 1 Byrne, 8 Clay(Lyden 53), 2 James(Sweeney 53), 4 Ogie, 6 Thompson(Hunt 68), 10 Sotiriou(Archibald 65), 16 Drinan(Kelman 65). BBC report. Video highlights. 6 February. The death was announced of Peter Allen who holds the number of record appearances for the club at 490 beating Arthur Wood’s 373. A fine footballer and gentleman. In defence or attack, he scored 27 goals, he was formidable with the ability of tackling from behind, hooking his foot around the ball and heading off in the other direction. Born in Hove in 1946 he was playing for Spurs before being signed by then manager Dave Sexton. He played for acting manager Les Gore, Dick Graham, Jimmy Bloomfield and George Petchey. Not many will do that for one club again. He joined George at Millwall playing 18 games before retiring. 7 February. Away to Crewe (0-2 Turns, Archibald). Hunt would be out for a month with a groin problem. Lyden was on the bench, Clay started, James returned. A goal up in 31’ through Turns after a corner and then a pass from Kelman. The lead was doubled on 59’ when Archibald side footed home a by line cross from Sadlier following good work from Sweeney. Not sure the PA Media at the BBC was watching as he reported the pass from Kelman. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 43 Turns, 19 Beckles, 24 Sweeney, 8 Clay, 14 Moncur, 15 El Mizouni, 34 Sadlier, 11 Archibald, 23 Kelman. Subs: 1 Byrne, 17 Lyden, 4 Ogie, 6 Thompson, 10 Sotiriou(Sadlier 84), 16 Drinan(Kelman 69), 18 Pratley(Moncur 73). BBC report. Video highlights. Seven points clear at the top but second placed Stevenage have three games in hand. Fourteen points away from fourth placed Northampton who have two games in hand of us. Away to Walsall next Saturday. Harry Smith was loaned to Barnet for the rest of the season. The way the club worded it appeared to suggest he was not returning. He scored after 22’ on his début. 11 February. Away to Walsall (1-1 Turns). Smyth, despite Wellens telling us he would be in the team played no part in the match. Drinan replaced Kelman. A goal down on 20’ due to a cross that was allowed to happen and zero marking (Turns?) of the scorer. It took until 83’ to get a point when a deflected pass found Turns on the edge of the area. He had previously hit the bar with a header. His shot found the inside of the upright on the way in. We were unlucky with another two attempts in the dying minutes. Spare a thought for Connor Wilkinson who had been out of action for a year. He came on only to last 37’ before being stretchered off. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 43 Turns, 19 Beckles, 24 Sweeney, 8 Clay, 14 Moncur, 15 El Mizouni, 34 Sadlier, 11 Archibald, 16 Drinan. Subs: 1 Byrne, 17 Lyden(Clay 62), 4 Ogie, 6 Thompson, 10 Sotiriou(Archibald 55), 23 Kelman(Moncur 77), 18 Pratley. BBC report. Video highlights. Home to Rochdale on Tuesday and hoping for a score to emulate 14 October 1987 when we beat them 8-0. Two points dropped or one gained was the question asked on the forums. Stevenage lost to Bradford so they were now eight points from us. Northampton and Carlisle also drew. Ex Os: Harry Smith scored two to beat Torquay. Hartlepool and Sutton drew with Lee Angol getting Sutton’s second before Dan Kemp hit a marvellous free kick to get one back for the monkey hangers. Kiprianou’s Peterborough got thumped 0-5 at home to Bolton. Clearly they are not missing Sadlier. Zech Obiero and Ethan Light have headed out on loan. The duo, both 18, Obiero, a skillful centre-midfielder, has joined National League South side Cheshunt - making his debut in a defeat to Farnborough on Saturday. Ethan Light, meanwhile, has moved on loan to Southern League side Kings Langley, starting in their 1-1 draw against Tamworth. 14 February. Home to Rochdale (2-1 Soritiou, El Mizouni). Top of the league versus bottom. What we wanted was to emulate the score on a Wednesday night 14 October 1987 when we won 8-0. After half an hour it was looking good going two nil up. Moncur made way for Sotiriou was the only change and after 18’ it worked. From the BBC “Sotiriou scored in the 18th minute when he latched on to a long defence-splitting pass from Theo Archibald and drilled an unstoppable shot past Richard O'Donnell.” El Mizouni doubled the advantage 11 minutes later when he lashed the ball into the net following a Tom James free-kick which found the head of Sadlier en route. After a half of some 15 shots it went belly up. Dale got one back on 56’ ending a record breaking run of nine (?) games at home without conceding a goal. Wellens would not have been happy with the manner it was scored. Some poor marking. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 43 Turns, 19 Beckles, 24 Sweeney, 8 Clay, 15 El Mizouni, 10 Sotiriou, 34 Sadlier, 11 Archibald, 16 Drinan. Subs: 1 Byrne, 17 Lyden(Clay 63), 4 Ogie(James 78), 6 Thompson(Sweeney 68), 14 Moncur, 23 Kelman(Archibald 63), 25 Sodje. BBC report. Video highlights. Pratley played no part in the match and his place was taken by Harrison Sodje. Ten points clear at the top after second placed Stevenage drew at Newport. Third placed Carlisle got thumped by four first half goals at home to Mansfield and that took them to fifth but still 18 points from us! Third from bottom Crawley are the next visitors to E10. In the post match interview Wellens reported that both Pratley and Moncur had not trained all week due to a bug going through the club. That was the cause of the poor second half showing. Harry Smith scored another goal for Barnet but they still lost to top of the table Notts County. Bottom of their table are Maidstone, Scunthorpe, Torquay and Gateshead. 18 February. Home to Crawley (1-0 El Mizouni). This defeat saw Crawley drop into the relegation zone. No change in the line up. Goalless first half but not for the want of trying as Archibald and Sotiriou fired over and Drinan twice and Sotiriou missed open goals. Four minutes into the second half El Mazouni collected a pass from Sadlier following a header from Drinan, jinked past defenders and slotted home into the far corner. The misses continued with Sotiriou and Kelman firing wide as well as hitting the upright. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 43 Turns, 19 Beckles, 24 Sweeney, 8 Clay, 15 El Mizouni, 10 Sotiriou, 34 Sadlier, 11 Archibald, 16 Drinan. Subs: 1 Byrne, 18 Pratley, 4 Ogie, 6 Thompson, 14 Moncur(Sotiriou 83), 23 Kelman(Drinan 40), 7 Smyth(Sadlier 64). BBC report. Video highlights. Of the three teams below us only Carlisle won. Stevenage lost at Stockport and Northampton at home to Grimsby. Our next opponents are Grimsby away. Thirteen points clear at the top with Stevenage three games in hand. Eighteen points from fourth place. 25 February. Away to Grimsby (2-2 Kelman, Moncur). One nil up, 2-1 down penalty saved. Lucky?. With Drinan out injured Kelman returned and he scored after 14 barren games. On 25’ Kelman pressurised the keeper into making a poor pass which found its way to Sotiriou and then Kelman. He recovered from a stumble to fire into the net. After the interval it all went horribly wrong when Clay made a poor square pass and the Mariners drew level. Beckles playing at statutes. Six minutes later an even worse back pass from James made it 2-1. That incensed Wellens and he took off James and Clay four minutes later in a three man substitution which also saw Sadlier replaced by Moncur. It took twelve minutes for that to pay off when Moncur’s left foot shot found the net. On 75’ Thompson was judged to have hand balled but the penalty was well saved by Vigouroux, his third of the season. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 43 Turns, 19 Beckles, 24 Sweeney, 8 Clay, 15 El Mizouni, 10 Sotiriou, 34 Sadlier, 11 Archibald, 23 Kelman. Subs: 1 Byrne, 18 Pratley(Clay 57), 4 Ogie, 6 Thompson(James 56), 14 Moncur(Sadlier 57), 25 Sodje, 7 Smyth(Kelman 86). BBC report. Video highlights. Still 13 points clear. Carlisle are now second after beating Crawley 2-5. We could only put one past them. Two weeks back Carlisle got thumped by Mansfield and they got hammered at home 2-5 by Salford. Stevenage lost again, this time at home to Tranmere. They are still third with three games in hand some 14 points behind us. Swindon at home to Harrogate won three nil and the Robins are our next opponents in E10. Post Grimsby Wellens said that if players did not listen to what he said and did not do what he said then there were other players in the squad that will. I wonder if Clay and James will start Saturday? Elsewhere Ex O’s. Dan Kemp made it five goals in six matches for Hartlepool and Harry Smith did the same for Barnet. McMahon left Dagenham by mutual consent. Sam Ling returned to the team and they beat top of the table Notts County ending an unbeaten 25 match run. Kyprianou and Dalby both scored. In the manager merry go round Wycombe lost their manager Ainsworth to QPR and ex player Bloomfield left Colchester to fill his position. Both of their teams lost. Ross Embleton took over the hot seat in the interim for the U’s losing his first game. The death of announced of Sam Winston after a heart attack aged just 44. Tuesday night fixtures see Stevenage travel to Wimbledon and Northampton to Harrogate. Stevenage won in SW19 whilst the Cobblers drew. That cut our lead to 11 points. 4 March. Home to Swindon (1-1 Beckles). Great goal by Beckles then he goes to pot. Wellens named an unchanged team and Drinan returned to the bench. We bombarded them in the first half with something like eight corners. They had problems in defence with injuries but we didn’t break them down until the 12’ when Sadlier’s corner was drilled into the the area onto the head of the unmarked Beckles. The fact that we only managed four corners in the second half sums it up. The team went on another awayday which annoyed Wellens. On 64’ a lob upfield wasn’t dealt with by a header from Clay, James was a yard off his man and Beckles was caught flat footed as Wakeling ran through the defence and the ball went into the net via Vigouroux. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 43 Turns, 19 Beckles, 24 Sweeney, 8 Clay, 15 El Mizouni, 10 Sotiriou, 34 Sadlier, 11 Archibald, 23 Kelman. Subs: 1 Byrne, 18 Pratley(James 71), 4 Ogie, 6 Thompson(Sotiriou 77), 14 Moncur(Sadlier 59), 16 Drinan, 7 Smyth(Archibald 79). BBC report. Video highlights. Still 11 points clear after Carlisle drew and Stevenage lost to bottom of the league Rochdale. A visit to 8th placed Mansfield is next. The Mansfield game was postponed on Friday. Strangely the only other game off in the top five divisions was at Halifax. Mansfield with an injury list! With Carlisle winning at Swindon (we couldn’t beat them at home) and Stevenage beating Walsall our lead was cut to eight. Stockport won at Colchester and the U’s are the next to visit Leyton. Three ex O’s on the pitch at Gillingham. Morris was in goal and Coleman and Abrahams came on as subs. Stevenage at home to Crewe on Tuesday. The Railwaymen beat Salford 4-3 to put the buffers on their playoff hopes. Carlisle at Bradford Tuesday week and at home to Stevenage on Saturday. Tuesday night matches did us no favours as Stevenage won at home against Crewe and Northampton did the same against Mansfield. That meant our lead was cut to six points but all the top three had played 35 games. It is ours to lose. Northampton were nine points behind us having played a game more. 18 March. Home to Colchester )2-2 Moncur pen, Sortiriou). Disappointing. Two nil up until three minutes from time. Archibald was injured and replaced by Smyth, Moncur replace Sadlier and Pratley Clay. Things were going well and after 33’ Smyth was bought down and Moncur scored from the spot. It got better on 68’ when Sotiriou danced through the defence and scored at his near post. It went belly up when a corner was poorly or invisibly defended by James and Turns and a near post header when into the far side netting. Three minutes later Chilvers took up the ball just in our half and was allowed to run through the defence unchallenged before releasing a shot from outside the area into the net giving Vigouroux no chance. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 43 Turns, 19 Beckles, 24 Sweeney, 18 Pratley, 15 El Mizouni, 10 Sotiriou, 16 Drinan, 7 Smyth, 14 Moncur. Subs: 1 Byrne, 8 Clay(El Mizouni 76), 12 Brown, 4 Ogie, 6 Thompson(Smyth 71), 34 Sadlier(Moncur 75), 23 Kelman(Sotiriou 80). BBC report. Video highlights. Results elsewhere meant our lead stayed at six points. Away to second from bottom Hartlepool next. 15 March. Away to Hartlepool (1-1 Smyth). Deja vu. Last Saturday we bought on subs and changed a winning position into a drawing one and did the same today. Goalless in the the first half it took Smyth three minutes into the second half to put us in the lead cutting in from the right and firing home with his right. On 81’ poor defending by Turns and McCart lead to the equaliser. The Monkey Hangers then hit the upright and the crossbar, the latter a result of poor marking from Sadlier. Only eight shots with just two on target. If there was a reason that James and Ogie were not in the squad then us supporters were not privvy to it. Archibald was still injured and would remain so for at least another week. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 12 Brown, 43 Turns, 19 Beckles, 24 Sweeney, 18 Pratley, 15 El Mizouni, 10 Sotiriou, 16 Drinan, 7 Smyth, 14 Moncur. Subs: 1 Byrne, 8 Clay(Moncur 88), 33 McCart(Sweeney 79), 6 Thompson, 34 Sadlier(Smyth 79), 32 Hunt(Brown 68), 23 Kelman(Sotiriou 79). BBC report. Video highlights. Results elsewhere meant our lead was cut to five points. Eight points from the fourth placed team, Carlisle who were beaten at Gillingham. Fans on the forums were turning ugly. This from Thor: Ritchie thinks he can do what he likes, he made changes in both games and both times they've cost us 2 points. Today we should be 9 points clear with a game in hand on the 2nd placed team. Instead I've watched us get totally outplayed twice in the 2nd half by those 2 said worse teams. Why or why won't he go with what works? 3 goals conceded against the two worst teams, 2 up front is not working, we are lopped sided and lack width down one side. Ruel is not cutting the mustard, drinan is devoid of confidence and all we end up doing is concede the midfield areas we need to control. Idris is less effective now we've pushed him deeper. And Red Dwarf 1881: 8 shots, 2 on target against the second worst club in the league. Not good enough. To be honest this squad have not been good enough since Xmas. 5 wins this year out of 14 and only 4 points out of a possible 12 from our last 4 games. Totally agree and the failure to sign a proven striker instead of... Home to Carlisle (4th) next Saturday then away to Salford (6th) Good Friday. They beat Stevenage 1-3 away today. Ex O’s in the news: Jamar Loza has joined National League South side, Cheshunt on-loan until the end of the season. Smith does not seem to be playing for Barnet though he was named the Barnet Supporters Association Player of the Month for February. George Elokobi was named Maidstone manager. Woking centre-back Scott Cuthbert has agreed a contract extension until the summer of 2024. Torquay United have signed Frank Nouble until the end of the season. Wealdstone have signed winger Charles Clayden on a two- year deal from League One side Charlton Athletic. Clayden made his professional début for us coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute in a 3–1 victory on the final day of the 2017–18 National League season against Gateshead. Clayden joined Charlton Athletic on a free transfer from us on 30 May 2019. 1 April. Home to Carlisle (1-0 own goal). Disappointing match, vital points. To the delight of some supporters we played with two wingers in Sadlier and Smyth. Disappointing then that they did not play there. Sotiriou and Drinan made way for them. The first half was completed without too much incident other than a great save from Moncur. Carlisle were unlucky to lose two defenders to hamstrings in the first 39’. The second half faired a little better but it was not until Sotiriou joined the fray that the deadlock was broken. Carlisle had used up all their substitutes by 67’ Three minutes later Sotiriou came on and four minutes after that his shot was deflected by Mellish into the net. Four minutes from time he had the chance to put the ball into an empty net but was foiled by Vigouroux and Beckels. Kelman was sent off for a second bookable offence as we saw out the final 13‘ of the 90. Despite 61% of the play we could only put three shots on target. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 32 Hunt, 43 Turns, 19 Beckles, 24 Sweeney, 18 Pratley, 15 El Mizouni, 34 Sadlier, 7 Smyth, 23 Kelman, 14 Moncur. Subs: 1 Sargeant, 12 Brown(Pratley 45), 33 McCart, 17 Lydon(Smith 80), 10 Sotiriou(Sadlier 70), 16 Drinan(Moncur 79). BBC report. Video highlights. Results elsewhere meant our lead was now seven points. Away at seventh place Salford next. 7 April. Away to Salford (0-2 Sotiriou, Moncur). Great win and you wonder why they are anywhere near the top. Sotiriou was given a start due to the hamstring injured Drinan and suspended Kelman. It worked as early as the 22nd minute when Smyth’s cross was deflected to the far post for the waiting Sadlier whose pass found Sotiriou to slot into the net. Thirteen minutes later came the move of the match described on the ITV’s EFL programme as “subline”. A cross field ball from El Mizouni found Smyth out wide and his quick pass found Prately who made a one touch pass to Sotiriou. His cross found the incoming Moncur to make it two. All that remained was to see out another hours play! It didn’t go smoothly as Hunt cleared one off the line and Vigouroux made a save which hit the upright, went across the goalmouth and out for a corner. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 32 Hunt, 43 Turns, 19 Beckles, 24 Sweeney, 18 Pratley, 15 El Mizouni, 34 Sadlier, 7 Smyth, 10 Sotiriou, 14 Moncur. Subs: 1 Sargeant, 8 Clay(Pratley 88), 12 Brown(Moncur 84), 33 McCart, 2 James(Sadlier 71), 6 Thompson, 40 Duke-McKenna(Smyth 88). BBC report. Video highlights. Result elsewhere meant our lead was now ten points with seven to play. In A Closer look Moncur showed us his belly. Not overly impressed. Mine is flatter and more muscular - and I’m 74! April 10. Home to Harrogate (2-2 Sotirou 2). Two points down the drain again. From the BBC “Sotiriou opened the scoring after nine minutes when he wriggled past O'Connor and drove the ball into the net from the centre of the goal. And the striker added another on 36 minutes when he met a cross at the near post from Paul Smyth to stab the ball home.” But in a three minute spell in the second half they scored two to equalise. No marking on Hunt’s far post and Sweeney failed to clear the ball. To be fair they sussed their 33 Foulds was hopeless against Smyth and replaced him at the break. That meant our lead was cut to eight points after results elsewhere. Stockport moved into third after beating Newport whose last game against Northampton was won. Stevenage and Carlisle could only draw. All three are on 70 points. That means two of the three immediately below us have to win four of their last five final games. Northampton three from five. Ourselves and Stevenage have six games left. Not sure why Turns was not playing. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 32 Hunt, 33 McCart, 19 Beckles, 24 Sweeney, 12 Brown, 15 El Mizouni, 34 Sadlier, 7 Smyth, 10 Sotiriou, 14 Moncur. Subs: 1 Sargeant, 8 Clay, 23 Kelman(Sadlier 71),18 Pratley(Sweeney 72), 2 James(Brown 72), 6 Thompson, 40 Duke-McKenna(Smyth 88). BBC report. Video highlights. Away to Sutton next. We paid players agents £105,768 last season making us 20th highest payers in the league according the latest figures released by the FA. Most miserly and in first place were Crewe £15,585. With money to burn and in 24th place were Stockport on £236,944. Scunthorpe were relegated for the second successive season. Below them were Maidenhead whilst Yeovil and Torquay were just above them. Coming into that league from the North are either Kings Lynn or AFC Flyde. Ebbsfleet have already won the title for the South. Dropping down from the Championship into what we hope is our division next season are Wigan, Blackpool, who have just sacked Mick McCarthy after 11 games in charge and Reading who have just sacked manager Paul Ince and possibly Cardiff and QPR amongst others. April 15. Away to Sutton (0-2 Sadlier, James). PROMOTED?. Jeff Stelling (Sky Sports) announced we were promoted. With Northampton and Carlisle drawing and both Bradford and Northampton playing each other they nor anyone else could overtake us even if we lose our last five matches. Sadlier opened the scoring with a 30-yard free-kick. James followed it up with another fine strike twelve minutes later which effectively sealed the points and promotion. Sutton had zero shots on target from seven and only 37% of the play. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 32 Hunt, 19 Beckles, 18 Pratley, 15 El Mizouni, 34 Sadlier, 7 Smyth, 10 Sotiriou, 14 Moncur. Subs: 1 Sargeant, 8 Clay(Moncur 89), 4 Ogie, 33 McCart, 23 Kelman(Sadlier 71), 16 Drinan 77)12 Brown(Pratley 77). BBC report. Video highlights. Vigouroux beat Ray Goddard’s 1969/1970 record of 23 clean sheets (though 24 is the record for a season) and extended our unbeaten run to 13. The Leyton Orient women’s team beat the men to their Championship wrapping up their title with two matches to spare. April 18. Away to Gillingham (2-0) PROMOTED. Stelling’s announcement was a bit premature so officially we were not promoted. But even with this defeat we were when Swindon beat Bradford, now no one could push us into fourth place. Things Didn’t Go The Way Ted Planned (Ernie - The Fasted Milkman In The West - Benny Hill). Beckles got sent off after 14’ and the Gills went ahead from the resulting free kick. Sadlier was sacrificed and replaced by McCart. They went further ahead on 76’ following a hand ball penalty decision against El Mizouni. The floodlights failed and on their return both managers decided on a ten minute kick-about until the match was finished. Wellens later apologised to fans for not believing that Orient always did it the hard way. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 32 Hunt, 19 Beckles, 18 Pratley, 15 El Mizouni, 34 Sadlier, 7 Smyth, 10 Sotiriou, 14 Moncur. Subs: 1 Sargeant, 8 Clay, 4 Ogie(Turns 77), 33 McCart(Sadlier 19), 23 Kelman(Smyth 77), 16 Drinan(Sotiriou 60), 12 Brown(Pratley 60). BBC report. Video highlights. Club Video. Wellens post match. Promotion as it happened. Telegraph article. Sky Video. In the dressing room they were singing this song. 22 April. Home to Crewe (2-0 Moncur (pen), Kelman). CHAMPIONS. Dan Agyei was their best player and the winger is out of contract in the summer. Both Smyth and Moncur had fine shots saved by the keeper in the first half. It took us six minutes into the second half to seal the championship. Sweeney did well to cross the ball and their goalie, under no pressure could only palm the ball into the path of Pratley but the challenge from their defender was adjudged to be a foul and Moncur made it five penalties for the season and nine in total. We were the first team in all divisions to be crowned champions in 2023. A hopeful lob out of the Crewe half was completely missed by Turns with McCart acting as if he was not expecting the ball to reach him but the forwards shot was wide. On 77’ Kelman wrapped it up when a fine ball from Brown was a little over hit but their goalie misjudged how far out of the area was so he made an attempt at a clearance when he should have left it to the defender. The result was that Kelman walked the ball into the net. At the end of four minutes added time cue havoc as the crowd invaded the pitch. It was our first champions medal for 52 years. Martin Ling had been involved in three promotions out of the seven for the club in total. I have seen five of the seven. Vigouroux equalled 24 clean sheets for the season. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 32 Hunt, 33 McCart, 18 Pratley, 15 El Mizouni, 43 Turns, 24 Sweeney, 34 Sadlier, 7 Smyth, 10 Sotiriou, 14 Moncur. Subs: 1 Sargeant, 8 Clay, 4 Ogie, 23 Kelman(Sadlier 67), 2 James(Sweeney 79), 16 Drinan(Smyth 79), 12 Brown(Pratley 60). BBC report. Video highlights. Article by Chris Dunlavy. Wellens was a guest on ITV’s EFL Highlights show and stated he had got assurances on a budget should we go up and the main reason he signed an extended contract. Next day it was announced that Wellens was the League One Manager of the season and Beckles the EFL Player In The Community award. Lawrence Vigouroux, Omar Beckles and Idris El Mizouni were all named in the Sky Bet League Two team of the season for their stellar performances this campaign. 25 April. Away to play-off hopefuls Mansfield Town (1-2 Kelman, Sotiriou). An injury to Vigouroux in the warm-up meant a start for Sargeant. His clean sheet lasted ten minutes before Keillor-Dunn put them ahead. Poor defending from Kelman but then he isn’t a defender. That lasted seven minutes due to a rare headed goal. A Sadlier corner wasn’t cleared and found Clay whose volley hit the upright and from the rebound Kelman found the net. On 31’ Ruel Sotiriou’s right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal put us in the lead. Assisted by Kieran Sadlier via passes from McCart and Kelman. That is how the first half finished. There were starts for Ogie, Thompson, Kelman and Clay. Happe was on the bench. El Mizouni and Turns were rested while Beckles was still suspended. With under a half hour to go Ogie got sent off. James replaced Smyth to fill the gap. Moncur and Drinan were sent on replacing Sotiriou and Sadlier. Team: 1 Sargeant, 4 Ogie, 33 McCart, 23 Kelman, 24 Sweeney, 6 Thompson, 34 Sadlier, 7 Smyth, 8 Clay, 10 Sotiriou, 12 Brown. Subs: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James(Smyth 66), 16 Drinan(Sadlier 69), 18 Pratley, 5 Happe, 40 Duke-McKenna(Kelman 86), 14 Moncur(Sotiriou 69). BBC report. Video highlights. 29 April. Home to Stockport County (0-3). Not at the races. Despite 72% of the play we only had eight shots with only one on target. They had to win if they wanted an automatic promotion place so they needed it more than out, and it showed. They played us at our own high pressing game but with aggression. No marking at the far postand a headr put them in the lead after 5’ and no maring in the centre after another five minutes. Archibald gave away a needless free kick on the wing and no one challenged the headed on 81’ Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 32 Hunt, 33 McCart, 24 Sweeney, 18 Pratley, 15 El Mizouni, 14 Moncur, 34 Sadlier, 7 Smyth, 10 Sotiriou. Subs: 1 Sargeant, 12 Brown(Pratley 58), Archibald(James 74), 23 Kelman(Sadlier 29), 16 Drinan(Moncur 59),8 Clay, 5 Happe(McCart 74). BBC report. Video highlights. Celebrations. And more. Wellens. Away at Bradford next Saturday and they also need a win to guarantee a play off place. Teams we won’t be playing next year are Plymouth and Ipswich who won promotion. Perm any one from the four in a play off place from Sheff Wednesday, Barnsley, Bolton and Derby or Peterborough. Going the other way are Forest Green and any three from Accrington Stanley, Cambridge, Morecambe, MK Dons and Oxford. We will be playing Stevenage as they got promotion after beating Grimsby. Hartlepool and Rochdale headed in the opposite direction. Wigan and Blackpool are already relegated from the Championship. Either Reading or Huddersfield will join them. We no longer have any need to know who will be coming up from the National League but former league clubs Torquay, Yeovil and Scunthorpe were relegated along with Maidstone. Bradford blew their chances of a play-off place when they lost to Crewe. That meant that Northampton needed a point at Tranmere and Stockport all three at relegated Hartlepool. 8 May. Away to Bradford City (1-1 Brown). After 19’ the ref had booked three players, El Mizouni and Beckles from us. Four minutes from half time Brown put us in the lead from a James pass. But two minutes later they equalized via a deflection. The game petered out to a drawn. Wellens used all five subs. There were starts from Brown, Ogie and Drinan. Team: 22 Vigouroux, 2 James, 32 Hunt, 4 Ogie, 15 El Mizouni, 14 Moncur, 34 Sadlier, 7 Smyth, 16 Drinan. Subs: 27 Byrne, 24 Sweeney(Sweeney 63), Archibald(Sadlier 2962), 23 Kelman(Drinan 62), 10 Sotiriou, 8 Clay(El Mizouni 74), 5 Happe(Ogie 70). BBC report. Video highlights. Attendance:22,576. Northampton came up with us after winning at Tranmere, Stockport could only draw against Hartlepool. Elsewhere: We will play Cambridge next year but not MK Dons. Morecambe and Accrington were also relegated. But we will be playing Reading, Blackpool and Wigan all of which were relegated from the Championship. Salford, Bradford, Carlisle and Stockport are in the play-offs but Mansfield missed out on goal difference of one. Brian Winston OBE, Orient chairman between 1974 and 1982, has sadly passed away. Historian Davis Watson had this to say: Brian first joined the board of directors during the 1972/73 season, before taking over from Chairman Arthur Page following the infamous Aston Villa game in May 1974 that saw the O’s go ever close to a second spell in the First Division. During his time as Chairman, Winston oversaw the club’s only FA Cup Semi-Final to date. Winston stepped down as Chairman at the close of the 1981-82 season, but continued serving on the board until February 1975. He will be very much missed by all at Leyton Orient. Released ex O’s: George Marsh (Wimbledon), Ousseynou Cissé and Tristan Abrahams (Eastleigh), Alex Finney (Ebbsfleet), James Alabi and Jerome Binnom-Williams (Maidstone), Nick Freeman (Wycombe). He joined Stevenage. Danny Johnson and Connor Wilkinson (Walsall). Out of contract players: Happe, Beckles, Vigouroux, Smyth, Sargeant, Smith, Brown and Clay, Pratley, Byrne, Sweeney, Lyden, Fish, Obiero, Tanga and Young. Plus forgotten man Georgiou. Martin Ling wants to resign ten with the first four above already offered new contracts. I wonder who the other six are. According to the Transfermkt website we have 29 players which means half are out of contract. Though they don’t list Moncur. Lamar Reynolds who started two matches for us plus seven from the bench without scoring in 2018 has joined Maidstone. He was last with Concord Rangers and Braintree. Ebbsfleet United striker Shaquile Coulthirst has signed a new contract at the newly-promoted National League side. Monday 15 March. The Club announced their released list: Craig Clay, Sonny Fish, Anthony Georgiou, Jordan Lyden, Sam Sargeant, Harry Smith, Connor Wood, Matt Young. The following were offered a new contract: Omar Beckles, Jordan Brown, Rhys Byrne, Dan Happe, Darren Pratley, Paul Smyth, Harrison Sodje, Jayden Sweeney, Lawrence Vigouroux, Daniel Nkrumah. All other players were under contract so I got Obiero, Tanga and Thompson in the wrong list. First two signing were Pratley on a one-year deal then Brown on a two year deal. Loanees returned to their clubs. Dave Victor’s review of the season. You may like this one. Or this, Fix You, Richie Wellens Champions 2022/2023. And the Richie Wellens Rebuild. Luton won their way to the Premier League, Carlisle came up with us when their game also went to penalties. Leicester, Southampton and Leeds were relegated from the top division. 13 June. Deadline for players to accept their contract ended on the 10th but there has been no news from the club. Rumours etc: Nkrumah posted that he would be leaving the club after 11 years. Vigouroux was linked with a move to Millwall, Charlton, QPR and Burnley. We were(?) interested in Liverpool winger Harvey Blair but so were Portsmouth and Burton Albion. 15 June. Finally news from the the club that Nkrumah had joined Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee. They commented that as an academy product the O’s would have been entitled to compensation for the move, however, an undisclosed fee was agreed with the Championship side. Probably never play or rarely play much in their first team for a few seasons. As someone commented on a forum that Turns probably learnt more in ten games with us than 10 years at Brighton. Work is in progress for the new hybrid pitch. Top 300mm has been removed. The next stage was cutting the drains in, cut the trenches in laterals, going across the pitch at five meters. Covered the whole pitch in a white membrane sheet to keep the pitch clean and tidy, and stops any other silt, sand or grit falling into the new drains. Drain pipes are laid on top of this and then the whole pitch is covered in 75 ml of gravel, which would class it as a gravel carpet. They've got 600 tons of lower root zone sand that's going to come in that will slowly start to spread over the course of this week, slowly bring the levels up to pitch levels. Irrigation pipes have gone in, and all the new sprinkler heads are on the pitch and the irrigation pipes around the outside. Head Groundsman Colin James reported: "Once we've got the upper root zone on and we get to that pitch levels, then we can start seeding and that will be the next key stage to get some seed into the ground." "Ideally, we’ll get this done as soon as possible to allow for a longer growing period, and then we can bring the stitch machines to get stitched down." Next page.

Green parrots over Brisbane Road.