Previous page 1965-1966 Next page End of 1966-67 season. DICK GRAHAM - MANAGER, LEYTON ORIENT 1966-7 Division III   During the summer Dick Graham, one of the few goal- keepers to become league managers, became the new manager at Leyton Orient. He signed Terry Bradbury from Southend in exchange for Colin Flatt. Brian Whitehouse was at WBA when Graham was trainer-coach there, he also played under Graham at Palace and was at Charlton during the months that Graham was Bob Stokoe's right-hand man there. Malcolm Musgrove left to join Charlton as trainer-coach and by doing so he had to relinquish the position of Chairman of the PFA. John Sneddon and Cliff Holton, once of Arsenal were Dick's next signings in a deal that took Gregory to Charlton. It was the third time Graham had signed Holton. Les Gore became assistant to Graham and Dave Clarke, an Orient defender whose career was ended by a broken leg, was made trainer. New apprentices join- ing Terry Brisley were, Bill Bailey and former England Schoolboy goalkeeper Steve Bowtell. Tony Goodgame, a 21 year-old defender from Fulham was given a chance to establish himself at Orient. Dick’s elder brother Jim played centre-forward for Clapton Orient 1937-1938. Pre Season press articles here. And here. As well as here. This article An Oriental Decline featured in the Soccer Star during the summer. Also pictured George O’Brien and art- icles on Brian Whitehouse.   The opening match of the season (20 August away to Oldham) was lost 3-1. Dave Metchick was the scorer and George O'Brien hit the woodwork twice. Ron Willis depu- tised for the injured Vic Rouse in goal. Their programme was huge some 12” x 9¾” and the team therin was Rouse(Willis played), Jones, Forsyth, Whitehouse, Sneddon, Bradbury, Price(Carter played), O’Brien, Holton, Metchick Smith. Sub Went. There was a whole page on us with a team photo similar to the one below.   We went out of the League Cup 1-0 away to Brighton 24 August where the team was: Willis, Whitehouse, Forsyth, Went, Sneddon, Bradbury, Carter, Jones, Holton, Metchick, Price. The team in the programme showed Jones at 2 not 8 replacing O’Brien, Whitehouse at 4 not 2, Smith at 11 not Price. Their beers were Tamplins Watneys Fine Beers and we were asked “What makes Brickwood territory even better? Brickwoods Best Bitter.”     Johnny Smith replaced Went in the first home match of the season against Scunthorpe (27 August) for whom Keith Burkinshaw, later the Tottenham manager, played. Clive Thomas refereed a 3-1 home win in front of 5,475 spectators. Price, Metchick and Whitehouse got the goals. 16 year old Steve Bowtell nearly played in goal but Willis recovered in time. It was the first home win since November 1965. The programme, now 8”x 5” and with ten unnumbered pages had a white border along two sides emphasising the L in Leyton and the team wore an all blue strip. I will only produce one image of the programme as they will all appear mainly the same. The only full page adverts were for British Rail and Stratford Express. Quarter pages for the local Guardian (2) and the Hackney Gazette plus the Recorder. Smaller ads were for the Printer/Publishers Pat Feeley of Boreham Wood, Grandees in Hackney, Hackney Speedway mail order Freemans and Top Hat outfitters in Well Street E9. It cost 6d. The team in the programme with changes: Willis, Jones, Forsyth, Smith replacing Went, Sneddon, Bradbury, Carter, Metchick, Holton, Whitehouse, Price. O’Brien was 12th man replacing Smith. To see a newspaper cutting of the match click for the PDF 29 August. Away to Southend in the Mid-Weel League. 1-1 with Jenkins scoring. Team Bowtell, Commons, Goodgame, Ferry, Ackerman, Sorrell, Le Flem, Farmer, James, Jenkins, Woodward. Slater played for them. We lost 3-1 away at Workington (2 September), Metchick was again the scorer. Sneddon went off with a knee injury. The team in the programme: Willis, Jones, Forsyth, Smith replacing Went, Sneddon, Bradbury, Carter, Metchick, Holton, Whitehouse, Price. Beer advert to Get the John Peel taste. 3 September. Home to Bexley in the SE Counties League. Won 5-1 with goals from Janes 2, Eaton, Wigg, Brisley. Team: Bowtell, Janes, Bailey, Went, Commons, Rofe, Dye, Eaton, Wigg, Brisley, Vancoeverden sub O’Reilly.  Holton and Whitehouse were acting-managers due to Graham being in hospital with back trouble if you believe the Evening Standard or abdominal complaint if you believe the Orient programme for the next home match against Torquay (5 September). This snippet from the Schoolboys’ Page Below is an interesting article by our new Player Coach 'Big Cliff Holton' written especially for your Page. The Game I'll never forget... Yes. it was a great game I'll never forget. But it wasn't the 1952 F.A. CUP Final when I led Arsenal's attack against Newcastle. And it wasn’t a match when they hailed me as a hero for scoring the winning goal. But it was around the time of that Cup Final...and it remains an outstanding memory. I had only recently come into the Arsenal side. and we played Glasgow Rangers in one of those prestige ‘friendly games at Highbury. Rangers had players like George Young. Willie Waddell, Willie Woodburn and Sammy Cox in the side. For me, very much the starry eyed kid in these days, it was like playing for England against Scotland. And in terms of prestige I suppose that’s just what it was. I was playing centre forward for Arsenal. I missed a good chance in the first half and wasn't too happy about the way things were going. But my big moment was still to come. Ernie Collett, who is still with Arsenal on the coaching staff, had been telling me for some time about his long throw-in. It got me thinking... and practising. And suddenly I saw my chance. We were awarded a throw deep in Rangers’ half ...towards the bottom goal where the terracing is now covered. I did it just right. I reached the far post with my throw, and Doug Lishman got up perfectly to head the ball home. It was a vital goal and we went on to win 3-2. I don’t suppose I could get so far with a throw-in now. But for me it was a moment to remember—a match I'll never forget. The programme team bore no relation to the team that turned out. This was to become normal practice for a Dick Graham team. He was never afraid of moving defenders into attack or vice-versa. A pity that the managers of today do not do the same. The pro- gramme team: Willis, Jones, Forsyth, Smith, Sneddon, Bradbury, Carter, Metchick, Holton, Whitehouse, Price, sub  O'Brien. The team that played: Rouse, Jones, Forsyth, Whitehouse, Bradbury, Smith, Price, Metchick, Holton, Le Flem, O'Brien. 0-0 was the score and home defeat by a goal to nil to Gillingham (9 September) followed. Also following was the Cliff Holton article which was repeated in the programme. Another off day from the editor. The programme team: Rouse, Jones, Forsyth, Went, Bradbury, Smith, Carter, Whitehouse, Metchick, Holton, Price, sub Jenkina. The Gillingham match was played on a Friday night as an ex- periment. Only 5,999 supporters turned out, 1000 less than the previous home match. Whether this was a failure is debatable as there were a further 600 less to see Peterborough (17 September) at home when Terry Price got our goal in a 1-1 draw. Team: Willis, Jones, Goodgame, Went, Bradbury, Sorrell, O'Brien, Whitehouse, Metchick, Holton, Price, sub Jenkins. 21 September. Home to Charlton in a Mid-Week League match though I don’t know the score. Team: Bowtell, Janes, Commons, P. Fry, Ferry, Forsyth, Le Flem, Farmer, Wigg, Metchick, Woodward sub Woodward. In the Peterborough match Goodgame made his début in this match, one of only 7 appear- ances he was to make for Leyton Orient. That was six more than Ken Woodward who made his only appearance in the match at Bournemouth (24 September) in the 1-0 defeat there. Holton took Sorrell's place, Woodward Smith's, (Smith was sub) and Carter Holton's. The programme carried the Football League Review where it was asked whether there was dange in heading the ball?. We were told You’ll Enjoy a Badger Beer brewed by Hall & Woodhouse.   Four days later we were back at the seaside. Newly promoted, Torquay (28 September) were denied a goal as Ron Willis saved a 66th minute penalty. To see a newspaper cutting of the match click for the PDF. Orient's 16th minute goal was, as one paper described it, a beauty. Smith took a through pass from Metchick and gave keeper McGuire no chance. John Bond was in the Torquay side. Orient were in a familiar position - 5th from bottom. Their programme also carried the Football League Review. There were apparently More Hops in Ben Truman and we were informed that Draught Bitter Ale Matured in the Wood had No Arifical Gas Added from the Plymouth Breweries Limited. Tommy Jenkins, Peter Allen, John Sneddon as well as manager Graham were still on the injury list for the visit of Swansea (1 October). Cliff Holton's first goal for Orient in the 30th minute was enough to secure both points. To see a newspaper cutting of the match click for the PDF. Team in the programme: Willis, Jones, Forsyth, Went, Whitehouse, Bradbury, Price, O’Brien, Holton, Metchick, Smith sub Goodgame. Jones didn’t play and Sorrell took his place. We were told that Courage is the Word for Beer. Some might argue that.   Again we lost 1-0 at Brighton (8 October) despite them being three from bottom. It cost me 13/6d for the coach. Programme team with changes in brackets. Willis, Jones, (Whitehouse), Forsyth, Sorrell, Went (Goodgame), Bradbury, Smith, O’Brien (Metchick), Whitehouse (Le Flem), Holton, Price sub Goodgame (Carter). Local match report. Darlington (15 October) visited Brisbane Road and won 2-1. Billy Carter got our goal and Ronnie Wigg was a non-playing substitute, the nearest he got to a first team appearance. He later played for Ipswich and Watford. To see a newspaper cutting of the match click for the PDF. The previous Wednesday saw Paul Went turn 17 and he signed as a full pro- fessional. Team in the Programme: Willis, Whitehouse, Goodgame, Sorrell, Forsyth, Bradbury, Carter, O’Brien, Holton, Price Metchick sub Allen. But Jones played for Whitehouse, Went for Sorrell, Allen for Bradbury, Whitehouse for Price, Price for Metchick and Wigg for Allen. Eddie Werge was signed from South Africa having spent two years there. He had previously played for Charlton and Crystal Palace.   15 October home to West Ham. They were knocked out of the London Challenge Cup thanks to a Terry Price goal. Team in the programme with who played in brackets: Rouse, Jones, Janes (Smith), Went, Ferry (Bradbury), Goodgame, Price, Metchick, (Sorrell), Forsyth, Carter, Le Flem, sub Whitehouse. The Hammers fielded, amongst others, Presland, Burkett, Bovington, Redknapp, Bennett and Sealey. The pro- gramme consisted of a folded singe sheet of paper and the blue boarder was replaced by a black one.   A 2-2 result at Colchester followed (17 October). To see a newspaper cutting of the match click for the PDF. Terry Bradbury, 'who played a commanding midfield game' according to the WF Guardian, had a forty-yarder ruled offside but Carter and Sorrell got us a point. But it wasn't the match that hit the headlines the next day. 'CRISIS ROCKS THE ORIENT' was the headline in the Daily Mirror. We, according to the Mirror, were losing £500 per week. The Orient solution was to put six players on the transfer list, sack groundsman Jack Tonner, trainer Dave Clark and, the most shameful act of all, they sacked Les Gore. Neville Ovenden many years later accused support- ers of having short memories. We haven't Mr Ovenden, we have memories like the proverbial elephant, which is more than I can say for football club directors. Gore had been with the club for 15 years and served six times as acting manager. It was he, more than anyone, including Johnny Carey, that got Orient into the first division, it was he that signed Dave Dunmore and he that signed Tommy Johnston for his record breaking season. The six players on offer were: Metchick, Smith, Sorrell, Le Flem, Ferry and Eddie Farmer. As it turned out only Metchick was to command a fee. Dick Graham, Goodgame and Bradbury were involved in a reported punch-up with supporters at the end of the game. Such was the feeling among the Orient fans. Tony Goodgame was booked in this match and the next. Orient Crisis was the headline in the Express plus a piece on Ted Phillips. This from the local Express. Programme team and the ones that played in brack- ets: Willis, Goodgame, Sorrell (Whitehouse), Went, Bradbury, Carter (Sorrell), O’Brien (Allen), Holton, Price (Metchick) Metchick (Carter) sub Price. We were asked to “Find the True Taste Of Trumans.” At QPR (22 October). We were well beaten (4-1) by a team that included Mark Lazarus. It was he that scored  their 3rd goal, big Cliff Holton got ours. They were top of the division whilst we were third from bottom. Their programme was a bit of a rip off. For 6d it was a single piece of paper folded twice. Programme team: : Willis, Jones, Goodgame, Whitehouse, Went, Bradbury, Sorrell, Allen, Holton, Metchick, Carter sub Price.   We next played Millwall in the London Challenge Cup 24 October at home, but how did we do??? Team in the programme: Rouse, Philip Fry, Forsyth, Smith, Ferry, Ackerman, Eddie Farmer, Le Flem Ron Wigg, Price, Tony Eaton sub Tony Woodward. But Commons played for Fry, Fry for Forsyth, Forsyth for Le Flem, O’Brien for Price and Le Flem for Eaton. 31 October the 2nd round replay at the Den ended in at 1-3 win for us though we did not win the cup that year which was won by Brentford beating Fulham 2-1.  Team in the programme: Rouse, Commons, Bailey, Ackerman, Forsyth, P. Fry, Farmer, O’Brien, Wigg, Woodward, Le Flem. In the Reading programme it stated we drew 2-2 with Fulham. George O'Brien was sent off and sub- sequently fined £15 and suspended for 14 days. Le Flem also started a 14 days suspension for kick- ing a player in a Mid-Week League match. We drew 1-1 (29 October home to Watford). Terry Price got the goal as Orient fielded one of the youngest half back lines in the country. Allen (19), Went (17) and making one of only 4 league appearances, Terry Ackerman. 'There is no crisis' said the programme for the match against Watford. 'Reports that the club is £100,000 in the red and that we are losing up to £500 per week are substantially correct' it continued. Most of the £100,000 was incurred in building the new stand and other ground improvements when we moved from the third to the first division it revealed. Team in the programme: Willis, Allen, Goodgame, Went, Sorrell, Price, Metchick, Holton, Carter, Jones, Sub Forsyth. Sneddon was to enter hospital for a cartilage operation. On the Schoolboys Page was this: No doubt you have read in the Papers and seen on television about the Crisis that faces the O’s at the present time. As I write these notes I have in front of me an old O’s Programme, the date is December, 1932, it is printed in 3 col- ours, has 16 pages and cost 2d. Playing for us that day was Jimmy Dimmock the famous International Left Winger. Our opponents were as today-—Watford, and printed across the front page is “Orient Saved”. See page 15. As now, the O’s were having a bad time and page fifteen read as follows :HOW THE ORIENT WAS SAVED Thursday, December Ist was a gloomy morning at Lea Bridge. The F.A. had ordered that unless certain debts were paid by December \|st the membership of the Club might be withdrawn. An instalment had been paid, but the Club’s resources were so depleted that it looked as if it would be unable to carry on. Matches cancelled, flag hauled down and the football boots packed away, perhaps for ever—what a tragic prospect after 25 years of honourable membership of the League! Councillor Snewin’s telephone bell rang. A voice told him that if he came along to Messrs. Godfrey Phillips’ factory in Commercial Street that afternoon there would be a cheque for £400. It seemed almost too good to be true. Councillor Snewin and Jimmy Seed set off for Messrs. Phillips‘ factory. There they met Mr. Arthur Phillips, Chairman and Managing Director of the Company, who handed them a cheque for £400 with the prospect of more to follow. The Orient was saved. Mr. Phillips explained that his firm is running a football competition in connection with their new B.D.V. “Sports” cigarettes and that £400 is offered each week for a forecast providing there are not less than seven first league fixtures. On the first round of the Cup and possibly in subsequent rounds, there may not be the necessary number of fixtures. Whenever such a situation arises, a gift of £400 will be given to the Orient. Mr. Arthur Phillips was born in Clapton and has always taken an interest in the fortunes of the Club. It is hoped that his firm’s generous gift will mark the beginning of better times for the Orient. I don’t know if Mr. Phillips is still alive but without him there would be no O’s today. Maybe a modern Good Samaritan will step in and put the O’s on their feet again. Let’s hope so. Give the Lads all the support you can toda and. help e “Orient to take 2 points from our Watford friends as we did in 1932 when the "Orient were saved”.   Ackerman also played in our 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Swindon (5 November). We were two from bottom and Swindon a place above us. Mickey Jones got our goal. Team in programme: Willis, Carter, Allen, Whitehouse, Went, Forsyth, Ackerman, Goodgame, Jones, Holton, Price though Rouse played in place of Willis, Whitehouse for Allen, Ackerman for Whitehouse, and Allen for Ackerman. The programme was a small 3"x4" without any beer ads. 7 November. Home to Fulham in a London Challenge Cup Semi-Final. No idea of the score but Orient historian Davis Watson tells me we drew 2-2 with goals from Whitehouse and O’Brien. George O’Brien was sent off and later fined £15 and suspen- ded for 14 days. Team: Rouse, Forsyth, Bradbury, Went, Ackerman, Holton, Jones, O’Brien, Whitehouse, Metchick, Price sub Le Flem. Despite the so called need to shed players in an economy drive, a new face appeared in the num- ber 7 shirt at home to Reading (11 November) - that of Eddie Werge. It worked. Orient won 3-2 with two goals from big Cliff Holton who made the third for Terry Price to head home his free kick. Ronnie Foster was in the programme line up for Reading. Team in programme: Willis, Jones, Forsyth, Went, Ackerman, Bradbury, Whitehouse, O'Brien, Holton, Metchick Price sub Goodgame though Bradbury played instead of Allen, Allen for Bradbury, Werge for Whitehouse and Carter for Goodgame. Press report on this match and the match at Doncaster here’   A 'crisis' meeting was to be held at Leyton Stadium on Sunday November 20th. Following it came “It’s killing me” quote from manager Graham. This article from the Soccer Star. This from the Daily Express sporting a picture of supporter Ray Bruce. The same picture of Ray and a report from the Daily Mirror.   'Eight clubs in the box to see a kid called Went' was the headline in the Daily Mirror that greeted the 3-3 home draw with Colchester (14 November). West Ham, Spurs, Arsenal, Charlton, QPR, Leicester, Northampton and Watford were the teams showing interest in the 17 year-old centre half. A Terry Price corner was headed home for a 30th minute goal to pull Orient back into the game 2-1. The same player crossed in the 51st minute and Went smashed the ball against the post, Holton's shot was booted off the line but O'Brien crashed home his second goal of the match. Price lobbed the ball over the keeper to put O's in the lead but Colchester drew level a minute later. The Waltham Forest Guardian mention an 'ineffectual perform- ance by Werge and indecision by defenders, Whitehouse being the main culprit. Neither player was ever a supporters favourite. Team in programme: Willis, Jones, Forsyth, Went, Ackerman, Bradbury, Whitehouse, O'Brien, Holton, Metchick Price sub Goodgame though Allen played instead of Frosyth, Whitehouse for Ackerman and Werge for Whitehouse. Peter Bullock, brother of Mickey was in the programme line up for The U's. Match report here.   'Who do you think will be in the team?' Dick Graham inquired of John Smith. 'Brian Whitehouse and ten others' came the reply. Result - John Smith was transferred to Frank O'Farrell's Torquay.   Two down with 30 minutes to go at Doncaster (15 November) but a superb pass by Holton found Jones who crashed the ball home from 35 yards. George O'Brien got the equaliser. Programme brewery was the Hull Brewery. Team in programme: Willis, Jones, Allen, Whitehouse, Went, Bradbury, Werge, O'Brien, Holton, Metchick, Price sub Carter. Though I don't image for a second they played in that formation.   'A bucket of money to bale out Orient' (Daily Mirror) and 'We will win' (Daily Express) greeted readers after the general meeting on Sunday 20th November. Both showed a young supporter clutching pound notes. The supporter was Ray Bruce who tragically died in his sleep 14 years later.          Another meeting in December saw Arthur Page take over as chairman and a decision was made to drop the Leyton out of Leyton Orient. This article appeared before the Lowestoft match. We were drawn at home to Lowestoft (26 November) in the FA Cup. Their record for the previous season in the Eastern Counties League was impress- ive: played 30, won 23, drawn 3, goals for 125. 23 year old Mike Tooley top scored with 84, beat- ing the previous sea- son by 9. 19 year-old Nigel Cassidy was the next highest scorer with 42. Crashing shots by Whitehouse and Metchick saw off Lowestoft's challenge but not before Willis had saved a spotkick from Tooley and Cassidy had pulled one back. Programme team: Willis, Jones, Allen, Whitehouse, Went, Bradbury, Werge, O'Brien, Holton, Metchick, Price sub Carter. I didn’t make a note of any changes. Such was Willis' form that Rouse had joined Atlanta Chiefs in America's newly formed NPS League. Match report here. The WF Guardian headline for Friday 2 December read: The Price of a Bright Future - £50,000. A report of the match at home to Fulham in the London Challenge Cup appears on my scrapbook page. A good win away at Grimsby Town (3 December) with goals from Holton and Price. Programme team: Willis, Jones, Forsyth, Whitehouse, Went, Graham (Bradbury played), Price, O'Brien (Carter played), Holton, Metchick, Werge. Who the hell was Graham? The coach cost me 10/- with a 7am start. I managed to wangle a complimentary ticket. Their programme in- cluded the Football League Review and included an in- terview with Nottingham Forest manager Johnny Carey. Charrington United Breweries were advertising their Jubilee Stout, Carling Black Label Lager and Piper Extra Pale Ale. Press reports on the Grimsby, Oldham, Scunthorpe matches here and the singing of Wood. The match at home to Walsall 10 December was postponed but was followed by a 2-2 draw at home to Oldham (17 December). Holton converted penalty after Ken Knighton had held Dave Metchick. Carter headed home Werge's cross in the 29th minute. Programme team: Willis, Jones, Forsyth, Whitehouse, Went, Bradbury, Price, Carter, Holton, Metchick, Werge. I made no note of changes and the programme is covered in grime. Christmas was not a happy time. Two defeats, 2-0 (26 December) Programme team: Willis, Jones, Forsyth (Allen played), Whitehouse, Went, Bradbury, Price (Fry played), Carter, Holton, Metchick, Werge. and 1-0 (27 December) in two days by the same club, Bristol Rovers, was greeted by the news that Dick Le Flem was not to return from a holiday in his native Jersey. Programme team: Willis, Jones, Forsyth, Whitehouse (Street played), Went, Bradbury, Price (Whitehouse played), Carter, Holton, Metchick (Allen played), Werge. Sub O'Brien (Fry played). Dick Graham had signed Barry Fry from Luton. This former Manchester United and Bolton forward was destined to play but seven games for the club. Fry made his début at home to Rovers and was sub for the return when Tony Street made his début and last game for the club. He went through the players that Graham didn't he? Fare to Rovers 17/6d, COPpermill 5245 was the number to ring travel secretary Terry Baxter. Again I got a complimentary ticket no doubt got for me by Ray Bruce. Their programme also included the Football League Review. Double Diamond and Skol International Lager were available in bottle and draught throughout the stadium. Gordon Ferry left to play in America. Graham signed Brian Wood from Crystal Palace and he made his début in the match at Scunthorpe (30 December). A half volley from just outside the box from Cliff Holton flashed past keeper Ray Clemence who was rooted to the spot. In the second half a overhead kick from Metchick made it 2-0 to Orient, but a goal from David Sloan in the 72nd minute and Frank Barton 15 seconds from time gave United a point. Programme team: Willis, Jones, Allen, Bradbury, Went, Whitehouse, Werge, Metchick, Holton, Carter, Price. Off day for the editor as Werg and Mitchick were in our team. I made no note of changes. The same Football League Review as the Rovers match was included. Scunthorpe were three places above us. Barnsley Bitter brewed at Oakwell by the Barnsley Brewery was their beer.   Controversy in the following two matches. Against mid table fourth division Brentford (home 7 January) in the FA Cup, full back Alan Hawley punched a shot from Bradbury off the line. No penalty. Programme team: Willis, Jones, Forsyth, Bradbury, Went, Whitehouse (Allen, played), Allen (Metchick played), Carter, Holton, Metchick (Whitehouse played), Price Sub Street. My changes were made in glorious tur- quoise fountain pen ink made by Quink. Press report here. The Supporters Club had arranged a Grand Social and Dance at the Ex-Services Club in Harvey Road Leytonstone and a Grand Dance and Final of Football Queen Competition. Ron Cavendish Orchestra provided the music at both events. To travel to Gillingham or Peterborough then ring Terry Baxter COPermill 5245. The latest scheme to help the club finances was for supporters to club together to buy the club Premium Bonds in the hope of a £5000 prize. The reserves in the London Mid-Week League were not doing so well having lost 4-0 to Watford and Aldershot. 4-1 to Colchester, 5-0 at Millwall and 7-1 at Charlton. Dorothy and Terry welcomed all to the King Harold in the High Road E15. On the Boys’ Page Tim Davies of the Leyton High Road wrote “Dear Mr. Hartburn, If you support a top team like Spurs or Man. United you expect them to win every match. When they lose you can’t live with their supporters. Supporting the O’s, we get so much pleasure when they win, and when they pull off an unexpected win like our away win at Grimsby, the Cup win at Leicester, or the great Cup Match with Burnley, the pleasure I get is more than the Top Clubs’ Supporters get when their team win the Cup itself. That’s why I support the O’s. ” Orient lost the replay (10 January) 3-1 (Metchick) and Dick Graham promptly put Bradbury on the transfer list because of his rough play. The Daily Mirror's headline next day was "Orient star 'kicked out' by cup boss" and followed it up next day with "I've been branded says Bradbury". The coach cost me 5/-. I made no note of any changes so the programme team looked like this: Willis, Jones, Forsyth, Bradbury, Went, Allan (another smelling mis- take), Metchick, Carter, Holton, Whitehouse, Price sub Street. Graham went out and 'bought' Malcolm Slater from Southend. The fee was two friendly matches between the clubs. He also bought Bert Howe from and Brian Wood Crystal Palace. They played in the 0-0 draw at Gillingham (14 January). Team: Willis, Jones, Howe, Wood, Went, Allen, Metchick, Werge, Holton, Whitehouse, Slater. That well known female football programme editor, Miss Print was now at Peterborough (21 January) where Paul Wince was at centre half for the O's. He helped them win 2-0 with goals from new signings Slater and Wood. The coach cost me 15/- and the programme included the Football League Review where someone was offering film of the 1966 Cup Final Everton v Sheffield Wednesday and 200ft cost £4.40d. Programme team : Willis, Jones, Forsyth (Howe played), Allen, Wood, Went, Metchick, Werge, Whitehouse, Holton, Slater sub Bradbury. Press reports on the following matches: Peterborough, Brighton and Shrewsbury here. 28 January. Away at Southen in a friendly match. Team: Willis, Jones, Howe, Wood(Allen), Went, Bradbury, Slater, Metchick(sub Fry), Holton, Whitehouse(Carter), Werge(Price) sub Werge. Orient were languishing in the lower half of the table but there followed a good spell with 6 points from the next 5 games. A win at home to Bournemouth (4 February) was thanks to a Paul Went goal. Programme team : Willis, Jones, Howe, Wood, Went, Allen, Slater, Metchick (Bradbury played), Holton, Whitehouse, Werge. Strangely no mention of the new signings. 11 February. Home to Brighton in a SE Counties League match which we won 3-0 though I don’t know the scorers. Team: Bowtell, Janes, Bailey, Vancoeverden, Commons, McLoughlin(Steel), Brisley(Pikock), Rofe, Wigg, Street(Brisley), Tekell. This was followed by a 2-0 defeat at Swansea (11 February).  They were a place below us! Programme team : Willis, Jones, Howe, Allen, Went, Wood, Slater, Whitehouse, Holton, Werge, Bradbury.     Being 2-0 up at half time at home to Shrewsbury (18 February) did us no favours. Graham moved Mickey Jones to inside forward, a move that paid dividends when he scored after 30 minutes making it 2-0 after Holton had put O's ahead after 8 minutes. 2-2 the final score. Chairman Arthur Page was given a Page in the programme and informed us that his £30,000 target was a very long way from being reached. Page had this from PAUL WENT The Teenager who all the big Clubs are watching tells :“How I broke into League Football” My first experience of football was as many boys — in the school playground kicking a tennis ball about in playtime. My school, St. Agnes, Bow, chose me for the school team when I was only eight, and believe it or not, at outside-right! I must have done pretty well, for my name was put forward, and at ten I had my first honour, being picked for East London Boys, this time at centre-half. Quite few minor honours followed, but at fifteen came the moment all boy footballers ray for — “chosen for England”. I was capped several times and played before an 80,000 crowd in the Olympic Stadium at Berlin. We beat the German boys 3—0. In 1965 I joined the O’s as an apprentice and Dave Sexton gave me my first team chance against Preston on September 4th, 1965. We drew 2—2. Now a member of the regular first team squad, I have been honoured once again, this time for the England Youth Team to visit West Germany under manager Pat Welton. My goal against Bournemouth which gave us two vital league points I regard as one of the highlights of my career. My only serious hobby is motoring and I have just passed my driving test. The rest of my spare time is spent training to become a foot- ball coach and with luck hope to become a qualified F.A. Coach. Thanks to all you young supporters for your encouragement and support, I can assure you it has helped me a great deal in my football career PAUL WENT. Programme team with changes: Willis, Jones (Forsyth played), Howe, Wood, Went, Allen, Slater, Carter (Fr played), Holton, Whitehouse (Jones played), Werge. Jones continued in the forward line but it was Paul Went that scored two goals in the match at home against Brighton (25 February). Orient started the second half 2-1 down but goals from Went and Holton made it 3-2 after 90 minutes. The editor or Arthur Page had a nightmare on the acquisition or Don Howe and Ray Wood!! Programme team with changes: Willis, Jones (Howe played), Howe (Bradbury played), Allen, Went, Wood, Slater, Werge, Holton, Metchick (Jones played), Price (Metchick played. For some reason I rarely noted the substitute. That would be Bert Howe and Brian Wood. Not Don and Ray.   An 18 year old Ray Goddard had signed on a months trial from Fulham. In a junior match Orient thrashed Spurs 8-0.   What followed was a goalless draw at Darlington (4 March). Programme team with changes: Willis, Howe, Bradbury (Whitehouse played), Allen (Sneddon played), Went, Wood, Slater, Jones (Allen played) Holton, Werge, Metchick. Cameron’s inns were worth a visit apparently. Orient travelled to Shrewsbury (11 March) and promptly lost 6-1. Metchick scored what was to be his last goal for Orient before joining Peterborough. George O'Brien joined Aldershot and scored on his début. The coach cost me at quid. Their programme included the Football League Review part of wich I had cut a a picture of Tranmere Rovers. Programme team with changes: Willis, Howe, Bradbury (Whitehouse played), Wood, Went, Allen, Slater, Jones, Holton, Werge, Metchick. 14,607 saw Alec Stock's top of the table QPR visit Brisbane Road (18 March). Match press report here. Fielding Rodney Marsh, Les Allen, Mark Lazarus and in goal Peter Springett they managed only to draw 0-0. Team: Willis, Jones, Howe, Allen, Sneddon, Went, Price, Wood, Whitehouse, Ackerman and Slater, sub Werge. Originally the programme had Bradbury playing in place of Went, Whitehouse instead of Price, Werge for Wood, Went for Whitehouse and Holton for Ackerman. Boys’ Page concentrated on Terry Price. TERRY PRICE a favourite with all our young supporters, tells his football story below. When I asked Terry Price “What is your football ambition?” He replied “To get back my first team place and keep it.” When I asked ‘‘What are your hobbies”, he said “None—only fooball.” This really sums up his dedication to the game. Aged 21, he was born in Colchester and played for his school team and local representative teams, as an inside and outside forward. This led to his selection for the English Youth Team with whom he toured Spain and the Canary Islands. Joining the O’s ground staff in June 1961, he signed pro. forms a year later. In a memorable match at Portsmouth he played his first league match. We won 5—2, Terry scored one and all our five goals were headers! He followed up with our two goals in a 2—2 draw with Southampton and two more the following week against Northampton. This form resulted in many scouts from the “big boys” spending a lot of time at Brisbane Road. During the close season Terry helps his father run his two Colchester fish shops. Let’s hope Terry who knows that nets are not only for fishing, will soon regain his first team “plaice” and we will see him “skate” past the opposition as of old. In April he is to become engaged to Miss Linda Brockwell and we all at Leyton offer our congratulations to Terry and Linda. * * * The same result was recorded at Oxford (24 March) where Jones replaced Sneddon in the forward line and Eddie Werge taking his spot. The coach cost 10/-. Picture of Holton and Whitehouse in their programme. Press reports on Oxford and Watford here.   Orient, now four from bottom heaved themselves away from the relegation zone with a 3-1 win at fourth placed Watford (25 March) who had just signed Tom Walley from Arsenal. John Sneddon scored two goals in a match for the first time in his career. Paul Went put the O's ahead after 45 minutes. This was the match where I was carried off to hospital with an asthma at- tack. The two blokes that took me there went hunting the coach. Unfortunately the coach turned up at the hospital and they were left stranded there. Sorry fellas.  Programme team with changes: Willis, Jones, Howe, Wood, Sneddon, Went, Slater, Allen, Whitehouse (Holton played), Ackerman (Werge played), Price sub Werge (Bradbury played). Their programme in- cluded the Football League Review. Double Diamond, The Beer Men Drink . Really? At home to Oxford (27 March), the Atkinson brothers and all got beaten 2-1 with goals from Whitehouse and Holton. The programme carried this message “We were sorry to lose inside-forward Dave Metchick to “Posh” Peterboro.It was a financial necessity and our best wishes go to Dave in his new job.” Programme team with changes: Willis, Jones, Howe, Wood, Sneddon (Went played), Went (Allen played), Slater, Allen (Carter played) Whitehouse, Ackerman (Holton played), Price sub Bradbury. Filming of the Great Train Robbery was in evidence at Brisbane Road and and Stanley Baker saw Brian Whitehouse's header go in and out of the net as referee Harry New gave a no goal decision as Orient drew 0-0 against Swindon (1 April). Press reports of thsi match and that of the home match against Middlesbrough here. Programme team with changes: Willis, Jones, Howe, Wood (Sneddon played), Went Allen, Slater, Bradbury, Holton, Whitehouse, Price. WHAT THE PAPERS SAID .. .The People “Sneddon Goals wreck Watford.” “Dick Graham, Leyton Orient manager, tried another of his last- minute gambles—and Big John Sneddon hit the jackpot with two second-half goals which knocked the promotion stuffing out of Watford. Just before the start Graham decided to use centre-half Sneddon as a second Striker. ‘It’s the first time he’s played up front, but I’m short of forwards.’ said Graham. Sneddon took his chances like a veteran leader, stroking the ball low into the net each time.” Evening News “Relegation-threatened Orient took a shock five-minute lead against promotion challenging Watford at Vicarage Road. The scorer was teenager WENT who headed home fol- lowing a Price corner.” Evening Standard “Orient substituted Bradbury for Werge after the interval. He was soon in ac- tion with a rising 25-yard drive which just shaved an upright. . Orient went ahead in the 64th minute through Sneddon. He got Orients third seven minutes later.”   A setback, losing 1-0 at Reading (8 April). Ron Foster was in their line-up. Programme team with changes: Willis, Jones, Howe, Allen, Went, Wood, Slater, Whitehouse, Holton, Carter (Sneddon played) Price (Bradbury played). The coach cost me 10/- and the programmes was a neat 4”x5½”. This was remedied by beating Middlesbrough (10 April) 2-0 at home. That man Downing played for Boro as 38 year-old Cliff Holton scored his 292nd league goal. Talk of the Orient mentioned the departure of George O’Brien and Norman Deeley scoring goals for Worcester in the Southern League. Programme team with changes: Willis, Jones, Howe, Wood, Went, Allen, Slater, Carter (Werge played), Holton, Whitehouse, Price sub Bradbury. Holton’s 293rd was scored in the next match against Doncaster (15 April). Mickey Jones, operating as an inside forward, scored a hat trick to complete the 4-1 rout. Doncaster were in 23rd place while Orient had moved to 18th. Programme team: Willis, Jones, Howe, Wood, Went, Allen, Slater, Werge (Sneddon played), Holton, Whitehouse, Price sub Brabury. Ex O’s Ron Heckman was congratulated in becoming the Bedford manager replacing Ron Burgess. They were the bottom of the table. Next page Previous page 1965-1966.