A Leyton Orient Diary 1

Previous page Next page Following page 1962-63. Leyton Orient Division II 1956-1957 Nothing changed programme wise, it was still the same size and colour and still 3d. On 20 October we played Swansea Town. We had lost five of the 12 opening games, the worst at Stoke City 1-7. They were top. Four from bottom though the reserves we doing well winning seven and seventh in the Combination League. The previous week we were 1-3 down at Blackburn but a goal up in four minutes thanks to Johnston. Two goals from Heckman got us a point. At home the reserves beat QPR 3-1 with goals from Julians 2 and Don Rossiter. Team: Davies, Bishop, Earl, McMahon, Cook, J. Cini, Hartburn, Woosnam, Julians, Rossiter, Andrews. With goals from Johnston, Smith and Heckman we won this one 3-0. Team in the programme: Groombridge, Gregory, Willemse, Facey, Aldous, McKnight, White, Sexton, Johnston, Heckman, Smith. The first match of 1957, 5th January was the 0-2 defeat at home to Chelsea in the FA Cup Third Round. In their team in the programme was Peter Brabrook and Tony Nicholas. In the pro- gramme they had this to say: Peter Brabrook (outside right), Recently converted into a winger with some distinction. Brabrook made his League début at in- side-left in 1955 against Sunderland eight days after signing professional. Was formerly on the ground staff and has gained England youth caps. Tony Nicholas(inside forward). At 18 was signed as profes- sional in May, 1955, having previously starred in the Junior eleven. Born in West Ham. He played nine games for The O’s scoring two goals in 1965-66. Brabrook played 72 matches for us scoring six goals during 1968-71. What Price Orient Now? was an article written by Tom Johnston for the Empire News and Sunday Chronicle. Since, and including the Swansea game we won nine in 13 games to put us 10th in the league. Team in the programme: Welton, Gregory, Willemse, Facey, Aldous, McKnight, White, Sexton, Johnston, Heckman, Smith. Welton was playing in place of Groombridge who fractured a collar bone sustained at Liverpool on Christmas morning diving at the feet of Billy Liddell. Phil McKnight took over in goal. We lost 1-0. Next day we lost 0-4 to them at home. We bounced back at Bury 3-1 thanks to Jimmy Andrews on for the injured Heckman put us one up at half-time but they levelled soon after. It took goals from Johnston and Sexton to give us the points. The reserves had played Spurs at home 3-1 (Andrews 2, Nicholson) on Christmas morning then lost 1-3 (Julians) on Boxing Day. We beat Watford 6-1 at home with Julians getting four goals making 28 for the season which makes you wonder why he only played one game this season. Must be a story there. Woosnam and Brian Webb were the other scorers. Last season Julians scored 30 goals (11 in the league and 19 for the Combination). Team vs Watford: Davies, Nicholson, Nichols, Cook, P. Carey, McMahon, Wootton, Webb, Julians, Woosnam, Hartburn. 23 February. Blackburn Rovers. We were 13th in the table, they were fourth. Thanks to Ken Facey we managed a draw. We lost to West Ham the previousy week at Upton Park 2-1 but were down to ten men when White went off with damaged ligaments. Tommy Johnston got our goal. Heckman twice struck the woodwork. Team in the programme: Welton, Gregory, Willemse, Facey, Aldous, McKnight, Smith, Woosnam, Johnston, Andrews, Heckman. The reserves were well placed at fourth in the Combination League. A 3-2 win at home to Southampton saw Julians score all three goals to bring his season tally to 35. As I have said before he only played one game in the first team this season. Why? Kept out by Johnston no doubt. He had scored 22 so far. Reserve team: Davies, Jaffrays, Bishop, McMahon, Carey, Forbes, Wootton, Webb, Julians, Sexton, Smith. 2 March. Sheffield United. They were just above us in ninth. We lost this one 1-2 (Heckman) and the one the previous week at Swansea 1-0 and the next game at Barnsley 3-0. Team in the programme: Welton, Gregory, Willemse, Facey, Aldous, McKnight, Smith, Woosnam, Johnston, Heckman, Hartburn. The reserves were doing no better losing 1-2 (Hartburn) against Bristol City though this was their first de- feat since 10 November and put them seventh in the table. David Groombridge came back for the reserves after his injury at Anfield on Christmas Day. Reserve team:Team vs Watford: Groombridge, Bishop, Nichols, Sexton, P. Carey, McMahon, Wootton, Foster, Julians, Webb, Hartburn. Season tickets for the ground were set at £2.10.0d for 1957-58. A Five-a-side Football Championship organised by the Evening Standard was announced. In a Leicester programme of 26 December 1962 were these two pieces of information: Today’s rivals last met in Division Two, 1956-57. April 19th, 1957, at Brisbane Road. Leyton Orient l (Johnston); City 5 (Facey o.g., Wright, Moran, Rowley, Hogg). Leyton Orient: Groombridge; Gregory, Willemse; Facey, Aldous, Forbes; White, Woosnam, Johnston, Heckman, Hartburn. City: Maclaren: Milburn, Webb; Morris, Froggatt, Ward; Wright, Moran, Hines, Rowley, Hogg. Referee: K. Dagnall (Bolton). Attendance 23,695. April 22nd, 1957, at Filbert Street. City 1 (Wright), Leyton Orient 4 (White, McKnight, Andrews, Johnston). City: Maclaren: Milburn, Cunningham; Morris, Froggatt, Ward; Wright, Moran. Hines, Rowley, Hogg. Leyton Orient: Groombridge: Gregory, Willemse; Facey, Aldous, McKnight; Whlte, Sexton, Johnston, Heckman, Andrews. Referee: K. Dagnall (Bolton). Attendance 27,582. That was my last programme for 1957. We finished in 15th place. Leicester were top and were promoted. Bury and Port Vale went down. Leyton Orient Division II 1957-1958 We had started the season badly losing the first three games 1-7 at Grimbsy, 0-2 at Doncaster and 0-2 at home to Stoke. We also lost 3-5 at Ipswich but there were highlights, 4-0 win at home to Middlesbrough, 5-1 against Swansea and Blackburn and 6-2 vs Rotherham. This left us mid-table at 12th. Alec Stock left the club in August for a £5,000 job with AS Roma. Les Gore took over again. 11 January. Bristol City. They were five from bottom. We won 4-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Johnston and one from Woosnam. eam in the programme: George, Eagles, Gregory, McKnight, Bishop, Carey, White, Woosnam, Johnston, Julians, Hartburn. In the away game earlier in the season we let a two goal advantage (Heckman, Hartburn) slip away letting in two goals in the second half. The previous week we beat Reading at home to go into the FA Cup Fourth Round thanks to Johnston scoring the only goal of the game. The reserves were in tenth whilst the juniors in the South Eastern Counties League were three from bottom though had just hammered Fulham 6-2. Next Easter the juniors would tour Nice in a Junior soccer tournament. Nicholson topped the Combination goal scorers with 18. Johnston had scored 32! This was my only programme for the season. In the week after we played Notts County 22 February Johnston had been sold to Johnny Carey’s Blackburn for £15,000. Goals dried up and we only scored 11 goals in the last 12 games. Alec Stock had returned in March but won only four of the 12 games played in March and April. Leyton Orient Division II 1958-1959 George Wright and Eddie Lewis were signed in the summer from West Ham. 6 September was my first programme for this season against Barnsley. After two successive defeats we beat Derby away 1-2 the previous Saturday. McClellan scored his first goal for the club and Julians added a second just before half time. Derby got theirs seconds before time. Injuries to Groombridge (wrist) and McKnight (severe bruising of the shins) were the price of two points. Two days before this match we beat Ipswich at home 2-0 with goals from McClellan and White. I wonder why tey played on a Thursday night in those days? The reserves were playing well beating Luton 5-1 (Hasty 2, Burridge3) and Bristol Rovers 4-0 (Lazarus 2, Flint 2 pens). Team for the Luton game: George, Eagles, Gregory, Lucas, McMahon, Carey, Lazaurs, Burridge, Hasty, Andrews, Flint. Bishop replaced the injured (thigh) Carey for the Rovers match. Beacon, writing the Supporters’ Club Notes commented on a copy of the Clapton Orient Supportes’ Club AGM from 1932/33. Turnover for the year was £631.3s 6d. Last year’s turnover was £11,396 2s 4d. Team in the programme was Groombridge, Eagles, Wright, Facey, Owen, McKnight, White, Woosnam, McClellan, Julians, Elwood. We won 5-1 with goals from Woosnam 3 and Julians 2 to put us fifth in the table. How do I know that? I found this website http://enfa.co.uk/ 13 September is my next programme against Scunthorpe. We won 2-1 with Julians and Lazarus getting the goals. Team in the pro- gramme was Groombridge, Eagles, Wright, Facey, Owen, McKnight, White, Woosnam, McClellan, Julians, Flint. Two days earlier we travelled to Swansea where we gained a point in a 3-3 draw with goals from Hasty 2, McKnight. The reserves lost at Birmingham 2-1 with Brain Webb scoring in the second half but we were two down by then. The Juniors drew away at Luton 1-1, Sorrell missed a penalty but Long got the equaliser. Team: R Wright, Quinnell, Bangs, Balkan, Stapley, Sorrell, Warner, Mills, Long, Milbank, Seaforth. Jimmy Smith was to have a testimonial match 24 September. Travel to Sheffield for the match against Wednesday was advertised at 22/9d with journey time three hours ten minutes. Wednesday were third in the table and were eventually champions. 18 September we played Swansea in a match that was goalless. Team in the programme was Groombridge, Eagles, Wright, Owen, McKnight, White, Woosnam, Hasty, Julians, Lazarus. We were about to go on a run of just three points in eight games 18 October. Sheffield United were fifth in the table whilst we had plummeted to 12th due to three straight two nil defeats to Sheffield Wednesday, Fulham and Lincoln. We drew the last match 1-1 at Rotherham thanks to Andrews and were to do the same for this match and again Andrews scored. Team in the programme was Groombridge, Eagles, Wright, McKnight, Bishop, Carey, White, Facey, Julians, McClellan, Andrews. Woosnam had been picked to play for Wales. The reserves were doing equally badly losing 2-1 (Foster) to West Ham where Lucas had to leave the field injured. Better news of the London Challenge Cup where we beat Brentford 5-0 (McClellan 4, Foster). Woosnam was sold to West Ham for £30,000 (or £23,000 depending on what website/book you consult) and played his last game away at Liverpool on 8 November. Eddie Bailey joined the club in December. 7 February. Sheffield Wednesday. My last programme of the 58-59 season and my last in this format. Wednesday were top of the table and we were third from bottom having lost the last six games: Stoke (h) 0-1, Stoke (a) 2-3, Sunderland (a) 0-4, Derby (h) 1-3, Blackburn (a FA Cup) 2-4 and Scunthorpe (a) 0-2. If the reserves were doing better it was not obvious as they were second from bottom having lost their last three games. This was Eddie Brown’s home début having been signed in time for the Scunthorpe defeat (see right). We lost this one 0-2 and the next 2-5 (Bailey, Andrews) away to second placed Fulham. Team in the pro- gramme was George, Eagles, Charlton, Facey, Bishop, McKnight, White, Bailey, Brown, Lewis, Andrews. According to this site our manager for this game was Les Gore. Alec Stock left the club for the last time and this time for QPR. Under Les we Drew 3, Lost 5, Won 7 to finish 17. We were as low as 21st. Highlights were wins 6-0 win against Sunderland and 6-1 against Charlton. Players appearing this season were: Andrews, Jimmy Winger: Baily, Eddie . Inside Forward: Biggs, Tony . Centre Forward: Bishop, Sid Central Defender: Brown, Eddy Centre Forward: Burridge, Peter Inside Forward: Carey, Peter Full Back: Charlton, Stan Full Back: Eagles, Alan Full Back: Elwood, Joe Winger: Facey, Ken Wing Half: Flint, Ken Winger: George, Frank Goalkeeper: Gregory, Jack Full Back: Groombridge, Dave Goalkeeper: Hasty, Paddy Centre Forward: Johnston, Tommy Centre Forward: Julians, Len Centre Forward: Lazarus, Mark Winger: Lea, Cyril Central Defender: Lewis, Eddie Full Back: Lucas, Mal Midfielder: McClellan, Sid Winger: McKnight, Phil Wing Half: Owen, Trefor Central Defender: Sorrell, Dennis Wing Half: Waites, George Winger: White, Phil Winger: Woosnam, Phil Inside Forward: Wright, George Full Back. Leyton Orient Division II 1959-1960 My first programme for the season was for 29 August at home to Ipswich KO 3.15. The new style programme was 5⅜” x 8⅜” and consisted of three pages folded in half and the staple cost an extra penny. An artists impression of a footballer graced the front page. Advertisements abounded from Senior Service, British Railways, Hackney Gazette, Bent-Marshall Garages, John Courage and the News of the World amongst others. A new name of Leslie Grade appeared on the board of directors. Described as Acting Manager was Les Gore. The opening match of the season was away at Bristol Rovers where, despite being 2-1 up from being one down in 15 minutes,through Brown and Johnston we drew 2-2. Some kind sole had entered the score as 4-1 to us. Team in the programme was: Groombridge, Wright, Charlton, Facey Bishop, Lea, White, Brown, Johnston, Bailey and Elwood. In the Town team were Andy Nelson described in the pen pic- tures as born in London and signed from West Ham in 1959 and Ted Phillips born in Leiston, Suffolk signing for them in 1953. We had not made (as Forester described it in Oriental Chatter) any big headlines with new signings. There were only four actual newcomers, all youngsters. Clive Lloyd an inside-forward from Newtown, Wales. Terry McDonald a native of Stepney, who was with West Ham and can play on either wing. William Taylor a 19-year-old Scot from Bonnyrigg playing inside-right. Ken MacDonald a Scottish international inside or outside-right from Hounslow Town. The reserves had drawn 0-0 at home to Swansea. Team: Nicholson, Eagles. Lewis. Sorrell, Owen, Lucas, McDonald, Lazarus, Biggs, Lloyd, Burridge. Wednesday 2 September saw us play at Stoke. Their programme was the same size as ours but only two folded pages but priced at 3d. Their adverts also included the News of the World. Cigarettes were also advertising but this time it was Park Drive 20 for 3/-. Whereas John Courages was in our programme, Double Diamond was in theirs. Team in the programme:Groombridge, Wright, Charlton, Facey Bishop, Lea, Waites, Brown, Johnston, Bailey and Elwood. Seven days earlier we had beaten them 2-1 in Leyton. 7 November away to Derby County. The programme mention our demolition of Middlesbrough 5- 0 the previous Saturday. The divisions top scorer was Tommy Johnston on 13 and in the di- vision above Deeley has scored 12 for Wolves and in the fourth division Cliff Holton lead the way scoring 19 for Watford. Team in the programme::Groombridge, Wright, Charlton, Facey, Bishop, Sorrell, White, Brown, Johnston, Foster and McDonald. We went a goal up through a Ken Facey pen- alty but drew this match 1-1. 14 November home to Plymouth Argyle. The pro- gramme right differed slightly from earlier in the season, above right. Argyle were three from bottom but we lost 2-3 to them, start of a slide that was to see us go from fifth to 10th. Alan Sealey scored both goals in the 4-2 defeat at home to Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup. A top of the table clash in the Combination League saw us drew 3-3 with Spurs. Lloyd, Owen and Burridge were our scorers whilst Dave Dumore scored two for the opposition. Team in the programme:Groombridge, Wright, Charlton, Facey, Bishop, Sorrell, White, Brown, Johnston, Foster and McDonald. Thursday 17 March home to Sheffield United. The Team Managers (Les Gore) Notes were full of injury new. Johnston had knee ligament problems, Frank George a broken arm and John Nickels a broken leg. Another 1-1 draw (Facey p). Team in the programme::Groombridge, Eagles, Lewis, Facey, Bishop, Sorrell, White, Waites, Johnston or Gibbs, Foster and McDonald. 26 March home to Derby County who we beat 3-0. Team in the pro- gramme::Groombridge, Eagles, Charlton, Facey, Bishop, Sorrell, White, Waites, Burridge, Foster and McDonald. Burridge was in the team having scored 14 goals in the reserves. 2 April. Away to Plymouth whose programme cover was printed in green ink as you can see left. Adverts included Pale and Mild ales from the Plymouth Breweries and we were invited to treat ourselves to a Tavern. Team in the programme:Groombridge, Eagles, Charlton, Facey, Bishop, Sorrell, White, Waites, Burridge, Johnston and McDonald. We lost 1-0 but in the final six matches we won three and drew one to finish 11th. The St. Austell Silver Band was also in attendance. Friday 15 April home to Swansea Town, ko 6pm. This one we won 2-1 and the Oriental Chatter waxed lyrical on Terry McDonald’s performance against Liverpool six days earlier when he and Johnston scored. Team in the programme:Groombridge, Eagles, Charlton, Facey, Bishop, Sorrell, White, Waites, Burridge, Johnston and McDonald. Monday 18 April ko 3.15. Away to Swansea. In a quiz we learnt that Arthur Wood’s father played for Wolves. Team in the programme: Groombridge, Eagles, Lewis, Facey, Bishop, Sorrell, White, Waites, Johnston, Brown and McDonald. The programme included pen pictures of the Orient players and a picture of Tommy Johnston (right). 3 April. The last game of the season at home was to relegation threatened Bristol City. Last season against them at home in the correspond- ing match we won 4-2 will all four goals scored by Joe Ellwood. We didn’t help their plight by beating them 2-1 with goals from Johnston and McDonald. Injuries were playing a part in team selection with a pulled muscle stopping Ken Facey from playing over Easter, Groombridge with a knee injury replaced by Nicholson and Ronnie Foster a recurring pulled thigh muscle. Johnston was the top scorer with 23 with Peter Burridge getting 14 in the Football Combination. Team in the pro- gramme:Nicholson, Eagles, Lewis, Carey, Bishop, Sorrell, White, Waites, Johnston, Brown and McDonald. This is how the season finished: 1959/60 Division 2 P42 Home w12 d4 l5 f47 a25 Away w3 d10 l8 f29 a36 Points 44 Position 10th FA Cup R3 During the season according to the ENGLISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL ARCHIVE the following players were used: Baily, Eddie Inside Forward. Bishop, Sid Central Defender. Lea, Cyril Central Defender. Biggs, Tony Centre Forward. Brown, Eddy Centre Forward. Johnston, Tommy Centre Forward. Carey, Peter Full Back. Charlton, Stan Full Back. Eagles, Alan Full Back. Lewis, Eddie Full Back. Wright, George Full Back. George, Frank Goalkeeper. Groombridge, Dave Goalkeeper. Nicholson, Harry Goalkeeper. Burridge, Peter Inside Forward. Foster, Ronnie Midfielder. Lucas, Mal Midfielder. Facey, Ken Wing Half. Sorrell, Dennis Wing Half. Elwood, Joe Winger. McDonald, Terry Winger. Waites, George Winger. White, Phil Winger. 1959-1960 venue opponent result position Manager Les Gore Aug 22 Division 2 A Bristol Rovers D 2-2 11 27 Division 2 H STOKE CITY W 2-1 5 29 Division 2 H IPSWICH TOWN W 4-1 3 Sep 02 Division 2 A Stoke City L 1-2 4 05 Division 2 A Huddersfield T D 1-1 8 10 Division 2 H BRIGHTON & HOV W 3-2 7 12 Division 2 H ROTHERHAM UTD L 2-3 8 16 Division 2 A Brighton & Hov D 1-1 8 19 Division 2 H LINCOLN CITY W 4-0 5 26 Division 2 A Aston Villa L 0-1 9 Oct 03 Division 2 H SUNDERLAND D 1-1 11 10 Division 2 A Cardiff City L 1-5 14 17 Division 2 H HULL CITY W 3-1 9 24 Division 2 A Sheffield Utd W 2-0 6 31 Division 2 H MIDDLESBROUGH W 5-0 4 Nov 07 Division 2 A Derby County D 1-1 5 14 Division 2 H PLYMOUTH ARGYL L 2-3 5 21 Division 2 A Liverpool L 3-4 7 28 Division 2 H CHARLTON ATHL W 2-0 6 Dec 05 Division 2 A Bristol City D 1-1 6 12 Division 2 H SCUNTHORPE UT D 1-1 6 19 Division 2 H BRISTOL ROVER L 1-2 8 26 Division 2 H PORTSMOUTH L 1-2 10 28 Division 2 A Portsmouth D 1-1 11 Jan 02 Division 2 A Ipswich Town L 3-6 12 09 FA Cup (R3) A Liverpool (Div 2)L 1-2 16 Division 2 H HUDDERSFIELD T W 2-1 11 23 Division 2 A Rotherham Utd D 1-1 10 Feb 06 Division 2 A Lincoln City D 2-2 11 13 Division 2 H ASTON VILLA D 0-0 11 20 Division 2 A Sunderland W 4-1 9 27 Division 2 H CARDIFF CITY L 3-4 12 Mar 05 Division 2 A Hull City W 2-1 11 17 Division 2 H SHEFFIELD UTD D 1-1 11 19 Division 2 A Charlton Athle D 0-0 11 26 Division 2 H DERBY COUNTY W 3-0 11 Apr 02 Division 2 A Plymouth Argyl L 0-1 11 09 Division 2 H LIVERPOOL W 2-0 11 15 Division 2 H SWANSEA TOWN W 2-1 10 16 Division 2 A Scunthorpe Ut L 1-2 11 18 Division 2 A Swansea Town L 0-1 11 23 Division 2 H BRISTOL CITY W 3-1 11 30 Division 2 A Middlesbrough D 2-2 10 Leyton Orient Division II 1960-1961 The first game of the season was a 1-3 defeat at home to Ipswich when Malcolm Graham twisted ankle ligaments which made him a passenger in the second half but (according to the Brighton programme) “Johnston’s opportunism when he charged Ipswich goalkeeper Roy Bailey with the ball over the line reduced Orient’s deficit in the second half gave a glimmer of hope”. The second game a 1-1 draw away to Brighton with Johnston again getting the goal. 27 August away to Scunthorpe. We drew 2-2 with Johnston getting both goals. Team in the pro- gramme:George, Eagles, Lewis, Facey, Bishop, Sorrell, White, Brown, Johnston, Foster and McDonald. Word for word the pen pictures were the same as last season with the exception of new signings Malcolm Graham from Bristol City and Don Gibson from Sheffield Wednesday. Hotels the Royal and Britannia were the places to be for Oakwell Ales from the Barnsley Brewery. Wednesday 31 August home to Brighton & Hove Albion. The new look green and blue glossy pro- gramme was 6d a whopping double the price of its Scunthorpe counterpart though it did have a photograph of our opponents on the front. Its 7.30 ko meant it was the first game at Brisbane Road under floodlights so Forrester said in Oriental Chatter. They cost around £15,000. Adverts inside en- couraged the smoking of Nelson Tipped at 3/6 for 20. The use of Bent-Marshall Garages and the drinking of Martini. Mrs C. Jelks ran the Leyton Public Billiards Hall with 14 tables. On the back page British Railways were asking 5/9 for a trip to Southend Illuminations from Stratford. It would cost an extra 3d from Midland Road, 5/6 from Wanstead Park and 6/0 from Leytonstone High Road. Membership for the Supporters Club would set you back 1/-. Badges were 2/-.Adrian Thorne featured for Albion according to the programme whilst for the O’s the printed team was : George, Eagles, Lewis, Facey, Bishop, Sorrell, White, Brown, Johnston, Foster and McDonald. Elsewhere Alan Sealey was scoring two goals for the reserves as they beat Birmingham 2-1 at St Andrews and Harry Gregory also scoring two goals for the Orient A team in the Sea-anglian league at Tunbridge Wells. Harry’s colleagues of Fairbrass, Rennie, Quinnell, McKnight, Russell, Mills, Smith, Packer and Levy’s league careers did not fare as well as his. Saturday 3 September home to Sheffield United. Oriental Chatter reported on the Combination game at home to Cardiff where Stan Charlton was captain in the absence of Don Gibson who had trav- elled to Scunthorpe as 12th man but went off injured. He returned 20 minutes later on the wing and a headed one of the best goals “Forester” had every seen following a well-taken corner by Joe Elwood. It was a sizzler. Mark Lazarue scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win fielding a strong team of Chochrane, Wright, Charlton, Lucas, Owen, Lea, Taylor, Sealey, Lloyd and Elwood. Manager Les Gore (this would be his last season in charge) Commented that Malcolm Graham would be fit for the weekend but Stan Charlton had the recurrence of a groin injury. After four matches Johnston was top scorer with four. Bishop and Facey were the other goal getters. Team in the programme: George, Eagles, Lewis, Facey, Bishop, Lea, Lazarus, Waites, Johnston, Brown and McDonald. Previous page. 1956/57. Next page 1961/62. 1962/63.