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ORIENT - THE PETCHEY YEARS 1973/4
Orient, after being promoted in 1970 were to re-
main in the Second
Division until
1982. In those
twelve years they
only managed higher
than tenth position
once. This was that
season. The summer
of 1973 saw the de-
parture on free
transfers of Steve
Bowtell (to
Margate), Ray
Fulton (to
Folkstone) and
Barry Dyson, who at
the time was said
to be interesting
Peterbrough, Crewe and
Aldershot as well as an
American club (he eventually moved to Colchester).
George Petchey issued the time honoured phrase of an Orient manager when in the
Waltham Forest Guardian he said, "obviously I won't be prepared to let any of my
best players go" having preceded that with " I will have to wait until I can
sell a player before I can go into the transfer market". He dismissed the need
for defensive players with "I have four centre halves at the club. He wasn't in-
terested in getting Terry Mancini back from QPR. "A player of his age is no good
to us" he said. Arsenal disagreed and signed him. Mickey Bullock was on the
transfer list at his own request and Orient were ready to listen to offers for
Ian Bowyer, who had yet to sign a contract. With Ricky Heppolette in plaster and
Peter Bennett injured Petchey signed - 2guess what? - a defender! Yes you did
just read that he said we had four centre halves at the club and didn't need de-
fenders. Guess where he signed him from? Crystal Palace? Yes right again. David
Payne (26) cost £20,000 and joined Terry Long (as youth coach) and Peter Barnes
(as secretary) as the first signings from Palace for the 73/4 season. They were
not to be the last. Barnes replaced John Falltrick.
Sunderland (25 August) won the 1973 cup final against Leeds
and former Orient bussler Vic Halom and Leeds United's
Allan Clarke appeared on the front cover of the Sunderland
programme for the first match of the season against Orient
at Roker Park. The team: Goddard, Hoadley, Downing, Allen,
Linton, Walley, Fairbrother, Brisley, Bullock, Queen,
Payne, sub Fisher. It was the goalkeepers that gained the
attention of the national press. "Goddard on top form,
Montgomery saved Sunderland with great saves from Bullock
and Queen", wrote Len Shackelton. "Monty magic" was the Joe
Cummings headline. "Led by strikers Gerry Queen and Mike
Bullock an Orient blitz might easily brought half a dozen
goals. But Montgomery gave a brilliant exhibition", wrote
Jack Milburn. "Goddard saved brilliantly from Vic Halom"
said Charlie Summerbell. 1-1 was the result with Queen
scoring with an easy 15 yard shot, while Hughes headed home
a cross from Halom.
The League Cup got underway at Brentford (28 August) where
Orient won 1-2. A bad backpass by Stewart Houston meant
that Ian Bowyer had the easy task of touching the ball
home. Fairbrother's "tenacious running" lead to the second
goal. A long ball from Downing, a perfect flick by Bullock
led to Fairbrother doing what he did best - netting from
close range.
No joy at home to
Bristol City (1
September) where we lost 0-1 to an 88th minute header. In the
programme, Dave Dodd was urging us to join the new Orient
Sportsmans Club, which held its functions at Orients new training
ground - three miles away in Clapton! When the clubroom was
opened (1/10/73) by Hackney mayor Bob Owen, chairman Page said
"We have signed a new lease with the owners, the Lea Valley
Development Corporation for seven years, and we are going to make
a go of it. Did they?
Fulham (8
September),
after two
games were top
of the divi-
sion, but man-
ager Alec
Stock's celeb-
rations for
his 25 years
as as a soccer
manager were
spoilt by
Orients 0-3
win at Craven
Cottage.
Bullock scored two headed goals from crosses by
Payne. Queen got the other. In the Orient quiz in the
Fulham programme we were asked to name a former
Fulham striker that had a short spell on loan to Orient from Charlton
in 1968/9. Actually they made a mistake, he was on loan from West
Ham. (It was Roger Cross not Vic Halom).
Against Bolton (11 September), Orient were denied a penalty when
Fairbrother was rugby-tackled by Warwick Rimmer. When the same player
fell over Don McAllister's leg a penalty was awarded and Gerry Queen
scored from the spot. Bobby Charlton was made manager at Preston
North End. Supporter George Taylor was banned for life as the club
disbanded the supporters club. "We don't want these people at Orient"
said chairman Page. This sort of man was no longer wanted. I wonder
what sort was. One in the eye for Page when Dick James wrote to the
WF Guardian: "I would like to quote Mr Page from the Orient programme
3 years ago. He said "I would like to thank George Taylor and his
friends and helpers for all their freely given assistance in painting
and decorating and so many other jobs that had to be done during the
summer". At he heart of the matter was that Taylor ran the coaches to
away matches. He lost total control as travel manager when Brian
Blower wanted to take command and fix prices. George saw away travel
much the same as the man before him, Terry Baxter, both treated trav-
elling away as a service to the supporters. It was not to be a means
to screw fans for as much money as possible. On one memorable midweek
trip to Middlesbrough the coach was only half full but the price re-
mained the same. "What we lose on this trip" said Terry "we will make
up on future trips". George was asked by some supporters to run
coaches for them, a sort of breakaway group. He was then accused of
touting for business inside the ground, which he had no need to do,
hence the ban. Added to this was the closing of the small supporters
clubroom (now used by the players). This meant that supporters had nowhere to meet after the match. They
could of course travel the three miles to the Sportsmans Club in Clapton but this would not be open im-
mediately after the match.
Orient, at home to Blackpool (15 September), won 3-2 after being two down at half time. Bullock headed
home Brisley's corner while Peter Allen lobbed the ball over the keeper for the second. Queen scored
from the penalty spot.
Jackie Charlton's third placed Middlesbro (17 September) were held to a goaless draw. Petchey waffled on
in the programme about the forthcoming England match with Poland in the World Cup. Do managers really
believe that we want to know what they think about all and sundry? We want articles regarding Orient FC
and nowt else.
Another comeback was made in the match at Villa Park (22 September) which ended 2-2. Villa took the lead
in 67 seconds through Bruce Rioch. Bullock hit back with a low drive that took a deflection on its way
past keeper Cumbes in the 33rd minute. Three minutes later Villa gained the lead again, but only for two
minutes. Bullock outpaced(!) two defenders and crossed to Heppolette who took advantage of the confusion
in the Villa defence. Hoadley and Downing were booked.
Sixth placed Orient drew 0-0 with Swindon (29 September). Jill Palmer of the Evening Standard was writ-
ing in the Orient programme. The WF Guardian was asking where all the fans had gone. Mr Page was banning
them!
Orient lost 3-2 to top of the table Middlesbro (2 October) at Ayresome Park. Four goals came in the
final 15 minutes. Bullock and Heppolette scored for us. Terry Brisley was carried off after 70 minutes.
Goalkeeper Goddard injured his back in training and Mike O'Shaughnessy made his début at Boothferry Park
(6 October) making two good saves and was beaten only by a penalty taken by Stuart Pearson. Bullock
headed his sixth goal of the season from a cross by Walley. Terry Neill was the Hull City manager.
Blackburn (9 October) were knocked out of the League Cup with Fairbrother's diving header from Allen's
cross, and Bullock headed home almost out of the hands of keeper Jones from Downing's high lob. Ian
Bowyer had played only one match out of a possible 12. Fairbrother, from a rebound, and Heppolette from
point blank range, were the scorers against 3rd placed Forest (13 October). Forest, managed by Dave
Mackay, signed Bowyer for £40,000 and Petchey spent £25,000 on goalkeeper John Jackson from Malcolm
Allison's Crystal Palace. What was that bit about no defenders required again. I never saw the point in
buying Jackson. Ray Goddard was more than just a compitent keeper and, at 24, had a lot of playing years
left in him. Jackson was 31. Bill Roffey, yes another defender, joined Orient a week later from the same
club. Roffey had been expected to join Southend in a £112,000 deal which took Peter Taylor to Selhurst
Park.
Jackson made his début against second placed Luton (20 October). According to which paper you read,
Brisley or Hoadley handled in the penalty area. Referee Challis didn't see it. Manager Haslam did but he
doesn't count does he? Queen scored from the edge of the area and Fairbrother headed in Walley's cross
as Orient won 2-0. Team; Jackson, Payne, Downing, Allen, Hoadley, Walley, Fairbrother, Brisley, Bullock,
Queen, Heppolette, sub Harris. Fisher was down with the pox. Chicken variety that is.
Orient moved into second place in Division Two with a 3-0 home
win against Bolton (22 October). 11,702 people saw goals from
Queen 2 (1 pen) and a header from Fairbrother do the damage.
Goddard and Arber were told they could go if they wanted to.
Orient could only manage a draw at Oxford (27 October) when
Bullock headed in after 70 minutes. Jackson came off the field
with a bloody head having saved a penalty from Derek Clarke,
awarded after Downing had punched the ball from under the bar.
York City (31 October) held us to 1-1 in the League Cup at
Brisbane Road. A corner by Peter Allen was headed in by Queen in
the 21st minute. Barry Swallow equalised.
Orient went out of the London Challenge Cup 4-0 losing at Spurs
in a replay. John Margerrison and Chris Jones were among the
scorers. Keith Osgood was in the Spurs team whilst Ralph Coates
was in the first team that lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle. In the
South East Counties League a 4 all draw was recorded at White
Hart Lane.
Bill Roffey made his début in front of the largest crowd of the
season (12,848) vs Preston (3 November). Fairbrother jabbed home
a Heppolette cross, but it was left to Bullock to thunder home a
right foot shot from 25 yards to earn Orient a point. In the
Evening Standard at the start of the season George Petchey
tipped Middlesbrough, Villa and Bristol City as teams for promo-
tion. After 15 games Boro were first, Villa second, and City
fifth (Orient being fourth). He added "Crystal Palace have a
chance with so many fine players". They were bottom. He had coached many of their fine players! Peter
Allen was named as the Evening Standard footballer of the month and George Petchey Bell's manager of the
month.
O's went out of the League Cup at York (6 November) 2-1. Bullock headed his tenth goal of the season.
A hail of seat cushions towards the directors box signalled Sheffield Wednesday's (10 November) 2-1 de-
feat in front of their lowest crowd of the season (9,961). Mickey Bullock headed Terry Brisley's corner
in off the bar and Fairbrother crashed in a low shot from the edge of the area. Wednesday were fifth
from bottom in the table and I seem to recall manager Derek Dooley getting the push at Christmas.
WBA (17 November) were well beaten at Leyton with Jackson in dazzling form. "a long ball from Tom Walley
caused havoc in the Albion defence and Gerry Queen touched it on for Fairbrother to hammer his eight
goal of the season" said the East London Advertiser while the News of the World wrote, "Orient shook
Albion with a great goal immediately after the restart. Hardworking Queen pushed Heppolette away,
Downing overlapped and crossed for Bullock whose downward header dropped for Heppolette to slam home.
Downing was chopped down by Mayo who was lucky not to be booked". The Evening Standard, who still had an
evening paper on a Saturday, commented, "Albion bought on substitute Shaw for the out-of-touch Glover."
Millwall's (24 November) six match unbeaten run was ended by Orient 0-1. A national newspaper described
the goal, "Allen chipped a short cross, Queen juggled the ball back to Bullock, and East London's most
improved player smashed his shot in off the bar"
A setback. We lost 1-2 at home to Cardiff (1 December), newly managed by Frank O'Farrell, who were 5th
from bottom. Fairbrother scored with a diving header. Orient were in second place behind Middlesbrough
with 24 pts, two in front of the next opponents, Notts County (8 December).
Three goals in the first 15 mins, a Bullock header and 2 from Queen put paid to County's chances despite
a fightback to 2-3. Fairbrother scored 20 mins from the end. Gerry Queen was carried off with a dislo-
cated shoulder. Harris and Goddard were placed on the transfer list. Harris was rated in the East
London Advertiser at £25,000 and Goddard £5,000 less. Both players appeared in the next match against
Carlisle (15 December) as O's suffered their second successive home defeat (0-1).
Orient signed 27 year old John Boyle on a free transfer from Chelsea. Of course we didn't need defenders
did we? Bobby Arber and John Lewis turned down moves to Southern League Wimbledon.
The team away to Swindon (22 December) was, Jackson, Boyle, Roffey, Allen, Hoadley, Walley, Fairbrother,
Brisley, Bullock, Downing, Heppolette, sub Harris. Jackson let a 35 yarder from David Moss through his
fingers to equalise Bullock's goal. Fairbrother got the other in a 2-2 draw.
Malcolm Allison's Crystal Palace (26 December) were soundly beaten 3-0 at Leyton despite spending
£150,000 on Don Rogers (Swindon), £75,000 on Paddy
Mulligan (Chelsea), £115,00 Derek Possee
(Millwall), £100,000 on Alan Whittle (Everton) and
£115,000 on Peter Taylor from Southend. Goddard for
Jackson was the only change in the team as Bullock
and Fairbrother with a brace, scored for the O's.
20,611 watched this Boxing Day match.
Bill Roffey was given the run around by the Conway
Brothers against Fulham (92 December). He decided
he might have better luck up front. With 18 mins
left he let fly a crashing right foot shot from 35
yards. Goalkeeper Peter Mellor had no chance.
The first game of 1974 saw Orient 0-2 winners at
Bristol City (1 January 1974) without an Orient
player scoring! Deflections of shots by Walley and
Downing were to blame. Peter Allen was carried off
with a bruised shin.
Two goals in the mud against Bournemouth (5
January) for Fairbrother were enough to send Orient into the next round of the FA Cup. Team: Goddard,
Payne, Arber, Harris, Hoadley, Walley, Fairbrother, Boyle, Bullock, Heppolette and Downing. Sub Queen.
The same team, but Boyle replacing Arber at full back and the return of Brisley to the side, drew 1-1
at Blackpool (12 January) where Bullock's penalty equalised a Mickey Burns header.
In a match where Sir Alf Ramsey was reported to be watching Barrie Fairbrother, Orient beat Sunderland
(19 January) 2-1 with Fairbrother making the first goal and scoring the second. Downing and Hoadley were
popular with the referee Ken Barker, so was Ian Porterfield.
Orient flew off for a few days sunshine in Spain before facing Pompey (29 January) at Fratton Park in
the FA Cup. Some 45 coach loads of fans and 32,838 people saw a goaless draw. Keepers Milkins and
Goddard seeing plenty of action. Paul Went, Peter Marinello, Ron Davis and Ray Hiron plus eight others
faced, Goddard, Hoadley, Payne, Linton, Walley, Fairbrother, Brisley, Bullock, Queen, and Heppolette.
Sub Downing. These were the days of the three day week so the match was played on a Sunday with the re-
play the following Tuesday (29 January) at 1-30pm.
A 1-1 draw, after extra time meant a further replay. And after Petchey had won the toss we were to play
at Selhurst Park a week later. Fairbrother scored our goal.
Carlisle (2 February) completed the double over us by winning 3-0. Frank Clarke (no not that one, this
one was the brother of Derek and Allan) and that man Laidlaw got the goals after slack marking by
Hoadley. Prior to the match Orient were in second in the table with 36 points, 4 in front of Luton and
five behind Middlesbrough. This was the start of a disasterous spell. In the Âミ final 15 matches Orient
were to pick up only 12 points. The next two matches were postponed. First was the match at home to
Aston Villa, it was to be significant. The second was due to Portsmouth beating us in the FA Cup because
they were due to play Nottingham Forest, who should have been our league opponents. 17 year olds Tony
Grealish and Gary Hibbs signed professional forms.
Strong arm stuff from Hull City (23 February) saw
three of their players booked for kicking lumps out
of Fairbrother and Heppolette (twice). They also
walked off with a point as Heppolette scored and
Stuart Pearson equalised. Fairbrother commented on
the Orient pitch, "It was dreadful". Orient were to
spend £1,000 on it in the summer. "It must be im-
proved for First Division football" said Petchey.
Heppolette was again the scorer in the 2-1 defeat at
Forest (26 February). He was also sent off after re-
taliating to a right hander received from Tommy
Jackson who also got an early bath. Petchey launched
a bitter attack in the Evening Standard on soccer
thugs and terrace louts, which, if you have visited
Forest, you can vouch for. Heppolette had a swollen
left cheek, stud marks on his thigh and bruised
ankles. Orient cut a record. 'Football, football' it
was called. It was on the Pye label, it had and 8"
crust. It was the only 7" record with an 8" hole.
Any more record jokes? Petchey whinged at the lack
of fans, he must have caught it from Page.
A goalless draw at Palace (3 March) in front of 29,056 spectators continued the slide. We were still
second, Blackpool and Luton were a point behind. Crystal Palace programme editor had photos of Vic Halom
and John Kaye transposed.
Another draw, this time 1-1 with Oxford (10 March) saw Orient slip further down the table. They were now
in third place, Luton were now second (and were our next opponents) with 39 points and Blackpool and WBA
a point behind us on 37. An own goal by Hoadley and..... I'll let the WF Guardian describe the Orient
goal. "Downing, storming in from the left, risked life and limb as he plunged forward to head the ball
into the far corner". Petchey continued to moan about support.
I can't ever remember Orient getting a good result at Luton (16 March) and former Evertonian Jimmy
Husband made sure of a Luton win. He got a hat trick as O's lost 3-1. A Hoadley 30 yarder equalised
Husband's first. Michael Hart of the Evening Standard interviewed George Petchey. "The hard game is be-
hind us" he said "We knew Luton would be a big obstacle. They beat us 3-1 and its over. The players are
relieved. They are all in great spirits this week.
“They know they will beat Sheffield Wednesday (23 March) on Saturday". They knew no such thing. They
lost 0-1. Ken Knighton, Holsgrove, Rodrigues and Shaw were Wednesdays bookings in their fight to stave
off relegation. Roffey was booked for Orient. This put Orient in 5th place on 39 points on goal average.
Notts Forest and Carlisle had the same number of points, WBA had 38, while above, Blackpool were on 40
and Luton on 43.
Another relegation match at Preston (30 March) ended happier. A fourth minute goal, in off the post by
Downing meant Orient were joint 3rd with Blackpool and Carlisle above us on goal average. 18 year old
Laurie Cunningham signed professional forms along with Nigel Gray and John Smeulders. Bobby Arber was
off to South Africa to try his luck. The Evening Standard reported Orient attendances were up by 77%
80,000 more supporters had seen them play.
A headed goal in the 14th minute by Fairbrother was not enough as Millwall (6 April) drew 1-1. A further
'goal' by Fairbrother was ruled offside as Brisley was in the back of the net.
We could only draw 0-0 at Portsmouth (12 April). Going into the away match at WBA, Orient were in 3rd
position, with Blackpool and Carlisle a point behind. We then lost one nil to a WBA (13 April) side that
included Allan Glover. Joe Mayo was the sub. "We have 3 games top play at home - and we will win all
those to get promotion " said George Petchey to a national newspaper. We won one but the last 3 games
were all 1-1 draws.
Revenge against Portsmouth (15 April) for our FA Cup defeat was sweet. Queen got both goals in a 2-1
win. Paul Harris asked to be taken off the transfer list, Ray Goddard had a bruised thigh, Arthur Page
announced he was giving up his Orient chairmanship and was to become a life president. Brian Winston
took over.
An 11th minute goal from Fairbrother against Notts
County (20 April) meant the first of the 1-1 draws.
Middlesbrough were top of the league on 63 points,
Luton next (49) followed by Blackpool (47) Carlisle
(47) and the Orient on 46 with a game in hand over
the teams above them. David Payne broke his leg (or
rather Willie Carlin did it for him) as Bullock's
19th minute goal was equalised at Cardiff (27
April). So it was all on the last match at home
versus Aston Villa (3 May).
Previous page. Next page.
1970 v Swindon.
1974 April v Notts County. Terry
Brisley.
Recording studio.
1974 20 April v Notts County. Fairbrother.
1974. FA Cup v Bournemouth.
1974 April v NottsCounty 1-1. Bullock.