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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 programme they had this to say: Peter
Brabrook (outside right), Recently converted into a
winger with some distinction. Brabrook made his League
début at inside-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 pro-
fessional 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 sus-
tained 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 mak-
ing 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 defeat 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 re-
serves 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 pro-
gramme 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 programme 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 programme 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 direct-
ors. 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 de-
scribed in the pen pictures 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 penalty but drew this
match 1-1.
14 November home to Plymouth Argyle. The
programme 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
programme::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 pro-
gramme included pen pictures of the Orient play-
ers and a picture of Tommy Johnston (right).
23 April. The last game of the season at home was
to relegation threatened Bristol City. Last season against them at home in the corres-
ponding 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
programme: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 liga-
ments 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
programme: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 sign-
ings 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 encouraged 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 eytonstone 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 re-
turned 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.
Monday 19 September a friendly at home to Hapoel Petach Tikva from Israel. The whole programme was
devoted to the visitors, six of whom played for the Israel national side. Team in the programme:
George, Wright, Lewis, Facey, Bishop, Lea,
Waites, Foster, Johnston, Graham and Elwood.
Club Historian Davis Watson reports that: Due
to heavy rain the match was abandoned at
half-time with the O's losing 2-1. Orient's
goal was scored by Tommy Johnston.
10 November Derek Gibbs was signed from
Chelsea.
12 November home to Huddersfield. The pro-
gramme showed an ariel view of the ground
which was repeated several times in the sea-
son. We were 12th in the table with Town two
places below us. Forrester commented on the
away match at Portsmouth putting paid to
their unbeaten home record thought the were
five places below us. After going a goal down
“Phil White, full of enterprise, scored an
equaliser, banging in a shot from an acute
angle following a corner by Terry McDonald.
Fifteen minutes from time Tome Johnston stabbed
home the winning goal. Orient’s two outstanding
forwards were the wingers”. The state of the
pitch came in for criticism following the match
against Lincoln when we lost 1-2. “This match
should never have been played”. A poor crowd
turned up to watch and the following three matches were postponed due to the unplayable surface. Team
in the programme: George, Eagles, Charlton, Facey, Bishop, Sorrell, White, Brown, Johnston, Foster
and McDonald. Johnston was still top scorer with 10 followed by Brown on 6, Graham 3, Facey 2 and
Bishop, Waites, Elwood, Foster, McDonald and White on one.
23 December home to Middlesbrough. This match was postponed and replayed 14 March 1961. Terry McDonald
featured on the front cover. The previous week we had lost 6-2 at third placed Ipswich. With Sid
Bishop out with a puled muscle Trefor Owen was drafted in. On the transfer list at his own request he
did himself no favours by scoring an own goal. Johnston and McDonald were our scorers. McDonald was
replacing Graham who had pulled a muscle against Charlton. A run of bad results put us three from
bottom after picking up a win and a draw in the last six matches. The reserves were doing better at
fourth in their league. Team in the programme: George, Charlton, Lewis, Gibson, Bishop, Lea,
Waites, Brown, Johnston, Gibbs and McDonald.
Monday 26 December away to Middlesbrough. Brian Clough was named in the line-up in both these
matches. Lots of local ads in the programme including one for Vaux Samson
Ale. Team in the programme: George, Charlton, Eagles, Gibson, Owen, Lea,
Waites, Gibbs, Johnston, McDonald and Elwood. We lost this one 2-0.
31 December home to Scunthorpe. The front cover was the ariel view of the
ground. A page was dedicated to the arrival of Derek Gibbs. The retirement of
Dave Groombridge was announce following a close season knee operation. He had
played 133 matches in goal after signing in 1951. He later became coach at
Leyton. Team in the programme: George, Charlton, Lewis, Gibson, Bishop,
Lea, Waites, Elwood, Gibbs, Foster and McDonald.
6 January 1961 we signed Errol Crossan in exchange for George Waites from
Norwich. The Canadian had also played for Gillingham and Southend. And Ron
Newman from Portsmouth.
28 January away to Southampton FA Cup
4th Round. The Saints were in fourth in
the table and we were one from bottom.
The new sign-
ings played on
both wings and
we won this
one 1-0. They
replace
McDonald and
Waites. Team
in the pro-
gramme:
George,
Charlton,
Lewis, Lea,
Bishop,
Facey,
Newman,
Gibbs,
Johnston,
Elwood and
Crossan.
Watneys Ales and Stouts was the back
page advert.
Home to Sheffield Wednesday FA Cup
5th Round 18-02-61 Video.
Saturday 18 March away to Charlton
Athletic. John Sewell and Eddie Werge
got mentions in the programme. The
south London club fancied John
Courage to build up the inner man.
This is my first programme with Bill
Robertson and Alan Sealey in the
line-up. Team in the programme:
Robertson, Wright, Charlton, Facey,
Bishop, Lea,
White,
Sealey,
Johnston,
Graham and
McDonald. We
lost this
one 2-0.
25 March home to Portsmouth. Syd
Bishop featured on the front cover.
Forrester welcomed Dave Dunmore, 27 to
the club. He joined us from West Ham
in exchange for Alan Sealey.
Originally the Hammers wanted £12,000.
When Les Gore offered Sealey in ex-
change they wanted £6,000 but that was
still too much for us but later that
day they agreed a straight swap. What
a deal that turned out to be for both
clubs. Dunmore had joined the Hammers
from Spurs in an exchange deal taking
Johnny Smith the other way, both were rated at £25,000. This was
the second of three home matches on the bounce. The first we
beat Huddersfield 2-0 to haul ourselves away from the relegation
zone and this one won 2-1. Team in the programme: Robertson, Wright, Charlton, Lucas, Bishop, Lea, White, Dunmore, Johnston,
Graham and McDonald. The reserves recorded a 5-2 win over Bristol City with a hat-trick from Bill Taylor and goals from Gibbs
who was fit again after an ankle injury and Lucas from 30 yards. Team:Cochrane, Gibson, Bellett, Lucas, Owen, Sorrel, Crossan,
Taylor, Gibbs, Elwood, and Len Chessewright (an Orient Junior). Souvenir programmes and advertising space could be obtained
from Cheapside Office Supplies at 14 Mumford Court EC2.
3 April away to Southampton. The programme was nearly identical to the January down to the Our Visitors and Player’s
Autographs page. Team in the programme: Robertson, Wright, Charlton, Lucas, Bishop, Lea, White, Dunmore, Johnston, Graham
and McDonald. We drew 1-1 with a goal from Dunmore, his third since joining us.
10 April home to Stoke City. Front cover was the ariel view of the ground. Postponed from the 25 February. By this time we had
travelled further up the table to seventh from bottom but we had only drawn two and lost one of the last three matches. Team
in the programme: Robertson, Wright, Charlton, Lucas, Bishop, Lea, White, Dunmore, Johnston, Gibbs and McDonald. We won this
one 3-1, lost 1-0 at Huddersfield, beat Norwich at home 1-0 and lost at Lincoln 2-0 to finish the season in 19th place three
points from safety. Nothing suggested the season we were about to have.
This was my final programme for the season and we would start a
momentous season with a new manager.
Previous page. 1956/57.
Next page 1961/62. 1962/63.
Possibly 1959-1960 with Charlton, ?, Bishop, George, Lea, Lewis at the back
and ?,?, Johnston, ?, Newman? seated.