League Two (Is it all that)

[y o y o y]

If we do make it back into the league what can we look forward to

[Howling Mad Murdock]

Not playing Sutton.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Maybe reuniting with Southend.

It’s easy to forget how sh*t it is but it’s a hell of a lot less sh*t than the NL

[Buddy Manucci]

Tranmere still have a great shot at automatic promotion.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Tranmere have been absolutely flying in the last few months. Hope they do it actually.

[JimbO]

Better officiating it's ridiculous the levels between the two.

[Esteban]

Not having to visit desolate hell hole grounds such as:

Bromley
Sutton
Ebbsfleet
Aldershot
Boreham Wood
Havant & Waterlooville
Etc.

Not having to pay to watch thuggish pub league kick the sh*t out of Josh Koroma tactics whilst an oblivious ref waves play on.

Not having an away end at Brisbane Road with only 200 visiting supporters in it.

Not having to listen to those 200 fans, from clubs and horrible places I’d never even heard of a few years ago, giving it the “who are ya?” And “East London is sh*t” chants without a hint of irony.

In comparison to the national league, League Two looks like the Elysian fields.

I want to play real football clubs again. Teams I’ve heard of. Clubs I recognise.

After suffering portaloos and uncovered terraces, the thought of Crewe away actually fills me with joy. I will be delighted to visit functioning football grounds again.

Give me Oldham. Give me Swindon. Heck, even give me Southend.

[BigDaddyO]

Whilst I've really enjoyed seeing all the new grounds and little towns down here, the officiating is so bad and some of the away support is so tragic that I'm ready to go back home to the football league.
If we do go back up I'll definitely miss the free Live radio commentary of every game.
I'm terms of quality I think the difference between bottom half of league 2 and the top 7 of the national league is minimal. I would wager us to beat Macclesfield or morecambe 9 times out of 10.
That said, Lincoln would batter Maidstone or Braintree.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Think everyones forgotten that League Two is pretty much is the same as the NL.

[Esteban]

Think everyones forgotten that League Two is pretty much is the same as the NL.

I thoroughly disagree.

It’s not just about the standard of football on the pitch. It’s the entire match day experience (especially away days).

Yes, there are a few dumps in League Two, but the majority are established football clubs with functioning stadiums and established fan bases. That makes all the difference. I’d much rather go to Carlisle away every other week than ever have to step foot in the likes of Bromley again.

Also, the officiating at this level is so incompetent that it is actually a danger to player safety.

[gshaw]

Also, the officiating at this level is so incompetent that it is actually a danger to player safety.

I'm glad everyone has come round to my views on this. Had many debates about why I view NL as tinpot and until recently there were people defending the standard of refereeing... I don't think even the bravest optimist would try that now.

[RicketyCricket]

The officiating will be no better in League Two, the only thing that will change is that the opponents will waste time less/be less physical as we will no longer be a team that everyone wants to beat.

Great to see Tranmere doing so well, I dare say we could emulate them if we go up.

[Howling Mad Murdock]

They may notice us in the media more.We seem to have disappeared while other London teams get reviewed by the same.

[Lady Luck]

No more plastic pitches.
Proper capacity in away ends.
Catering facilities that can cope with away fan numbers in the hundreds rather that the tens.
Proper toilets.
More clubs in places with proper transport links rather than in the arse-end of nowhere.

[RBMarshall]

If we do go back up I'll definitely miss the free Live radio commentary of every game.

What niggles me is that the free live radio is better than the paid for service through the club's website.

[Real Al]

People are looking forward to going to Colchester again.

[Rambling Man]

Being only one step away from League One.

[MrB]

League Two (is it all that)....

I sure as hell would like to find out

[spen666]

.....
More clubs in places with proper transport links rather than in the arse-end of nowhere.

Because Forest Green Rivers for example have a railway station right next to the ground if you ignore the several miles of fields
Same at Yeovil (if they stay up). They have 2 stations conveniently situated 3 & 5 miles from the ground
Cambridge only 2 miles from Railway Station
Cheltenham is over 2 miles from the station

MK Dons is 4 makes from MK station ( although there is a nearer local station)

[spen666]

League 2 will guarantee more segregation and less chance to mix and socialize with fans of other teams.
League 2 will guarantee more pubs refusing to admit away fans
League 2 will guarantee more heavy handed policing
League 2 will guarantee higher overall admission costs

[Esteban]

League 2 will guarantee more segregation and less chance to mix and socialize with fans of other teams.
League 2 will guarantee more pubs refusing to admit away fans
League 2 will guarantee more heavy handed policing
League 2 will guarantee higher overall admission costs

Well feel free to stay away from games if it isn’t your cup of tea. I’m willing to put up with all those things in return for playing in the English football league again. I’d imagine many, many other O’s fans would agree with me.

To counter your points more specifically:

Couldn’t care less about socialising with the locals. Sure, I’ll be polite and have a chat if they are about but ultimately I’m there to watch the O’s not make new friends.

There is ALWAYS at least one away pub. Plus I’m there for the football not real ales. My local has a fine selection of real and craft ales, I’ll go there when I want to sample them. On football days I’ll settle for any old fizz. And sometimes, shock horror, I don’t even drink on match days!

Heavy handed policing - I’ve been going to football since I was a child. I’ve never personally been on the receiving end of heavy handed policing. But then again, I tend keep my wits about me and stay out of trouble. This really isn’t a concern for most law abiding fans.

Admission prices aren’t that much higher, it’s League Two not the Premiership. Plus, I’m willing to pay a bit more as technically I’m paying for a higher standard of football.

And finally, to counter your point about travel, whilst there are a handful of examples of clubs which aren’t easy to get to, on the whole the point about easier access stands.

If you honestly believe that the points you raised are solid arguments AGAINST wanting promotion then I have to ask how you’ve managed to cope all these years. Orient have been a football league club a LOT longer then they have been non-league so it’s really strange that you have such a negative opinion on the football league.

[Disoriented]

Bring it on Este.

[F*ck The Poor & Fat]

Think everyones forgotten that League Two is pretty much is the same as the NL.

Jeez. Do you go to games. Astonishing comment.

[Esteban]

Bring it on Este.

I appreciate that there are contrarians and Devil’s advocates who like to stimulate discussion by claiming that League football isn’t all that, and I’m always happy to explore ideas and suggestions.

But I honestly believe that the question of whether being in League Two is better than being in the National League is one with such an undeniably obvious answer as to render it jibberish.

[Surrey]

League 2 will guarantee more segregation and less chance to mix and socialize with fans of other teams.
League 2 will guarantee more pubs refusing to admit away fans
League 2 will guarantee more heavy handed policing
League 2 will guarantee higher overall admission costs

But all this doesn't really matter surely as long as we get promoted???