Considering adopting Leyton Orient as my team

[Currywurst and Chips]

You are aware, I hope, that there is always a drum leading the fans?

That makes supporting Orient a non-starter for me I'm afraid. In spite of many other fine things

It's a bit Jimmy Saville or something - lovely bloke, raised loads for charity, as long as you ignore the sexual predation/Machiavellianism/drum

Who COULD he be talking about!?

[The Reverend]

How can someone be a “lifelong Hull fan” and yet seemingly know absolutely nothing about Orient? It’s like we’re some sort of obscure pub team. The clubs will be in the same division next season.

[LPE]

Whenever the next Saturday game you can do. Book in advance, North stand for families, East for old people and people that aren’t season ticket holders, south for chanting and having a pub in the stand, West for average people and watching Mat R***r

Cheers, very useful. And you preempted my next question - where should I stand / sit?

North stand: families
East stand: pensioners
West stand: moneyed swingers
South stand: cool people and some reformed hooligans

East stand also very much day trippers / tourists.

Two different groups around me yesterday were definitely not Orient fans with a variety of different accents and spent most of the match talking. Don’t think they even watched the game some of them. Expect if it had been a 15:00 ko they’d be on their phones checking other scores repeatedly.

[Bernard Mandeville]

Hi Doug

[elO]

Cheers, very useful. And you preempted my next question - where should I stand / sit?

North stand: families
East stand: pensioners
West stand: moneyed swingers
South stand: cool people and some reformed hooligans

East stand also very much day trippers / tourists.

Two different groups around me yesterday were definitely not Orient fans with a variety of different accents and spent most of the match talking. Don’t think they even watched the game some of them. Expect if it had been a 15:00 ko they’d be on their phones checking other scores repeatedly.

To be fair, I'd be checking my phone I was sat behind those harrowing columns that block your view.

[henry]

Was it Hull City we played, quite a few years back, when last game of the season needed a point to
avoid relegation ? At home went 1-0 up, and the ever dependable John Jackson dropped the ball in the net.
Seem to remember we had quite a few last season games like that .

[Currywurst and Chips]

Alright,

I have moved to E11 in the past couple of months and, as the subject states, I'm now looking for a club to adopt. Geography states that this should be Leyton Orient.

So what do I need to know before I dive in headfirst for a lifetime of abject mediocrity? My knowledge so far amounts to red shirts and a stint in charge on Football Manager, when James Brophy was quite the assist king cutting in from the wing.

* What is the current crop of players like?
* Who are the rising talents to keep an eye on?
* Are we pro the management and owners or do I need to say their names through gnashing teeth?
* Who exactly do we hate - is it West Ham or is that not relevant as we (listen to me, we...) rarely cross paths?
* Who are the legends that I should speak about in misty eyed tones? (RIP Justin Edinburgh)
* Should I refer to them as Orient, Leyton, or Leyton Orient? Or just the Os?
* And when would be a good occasion to make my debut? I was thinking Boxing Day but family committments have now ruined this, so might look at Dec 29th vs Cambridge.

Please don't reply with the usual 'don't bother and save yourself from years of torture' etc etc, I'm a lifelong Hull City fan who has been through it all - crowds under 4 figures, owners locking us out of our own stadium, bottom of the entire league with 1 month of the season to go etc.

Cheers
BCC

Been to a game yet?

[Bum_Chinned_Crab]

Update - I’m making my long-awaited debut tomorrow.

And before anyone says, it’s not upturn in form related. My wife (Doris in the vernacular) bought tickets for a Christmas present, but I didn’t have the heart to criticise the north stand location.

I’ve decided that we should take the approx 45 mins to stroll down and take in the sights, sounds and - ah yes - aromas of the surrounding area.

Any tips on food and beverage before we enter the cathedral?

[Give it to Jabo]

you will find the real hardcore fans in the Supporters' Club before and aft. If there any soft rolls available..you will be fulfilled, regardless of the score outcome...

[Give it to Jabo]

Often there are guest appearances to cheer the faithful and you can vote for the Star Man. What's not to like?

[LPE]

Sorry it’s been a bit of a stinking Richard for you so far. Hopefully a better second half.

[Bum_Chinned_Crab]

Nobody asked for it, or no doubt cares, but I thought I’d give a ‘fresh eyes without bias’ perspective based on a solitary outing:

Blimey, it’s friendly there. I think I’ve rarely encountered such a content fan base. Granted, I was in the family stand but there was zero bile from the terraces. I’m used to perpetual torrents of anger, but then they do all live in Hull.

That’s a very well-drilled and organised outfit, who are a credit to the manager. The defence in particular was so composed, both with and without the ball, and nothing rattled them. They all had complete faith in each other to do their respective jobs and it showed.

Midfield less so, seemed a bit disjointed and promising situations broke down fairly regularly, particularly when the ball landed with the number 8 (Brown?) He was woeful, just blindly kicked the ball directly forwards whether there was someone there or not. It was like watching an 11 year old me play.

Was a shame to see O’Neill go off early. I knew nothing about him but he looked a threat every time he got on or near the ball.

The Shrews keeper had the biggest arse I have ever seen in professional football.

I have never seen pie and mash on offer in a stadium before, so fair play for that, and was gutted that I ate elsewhere pre-match. I went to Deeney’s for anyone who is interested.

I stayed till the whistle and was in my house for 5.30pm. I have never known this in my life. Honestly, you lot don’t know that you’re born with the quality of public transport down here.

I shall go again.

[Currywurst and Chips]

Deeneys is quality grub

If you’re looking for Pie & Mash I’d suggest the gaff on Leytonstone High Road pre-match as opposed to the offering at the ground.

[Give it to Jabo]

Club old favourite Dean Smith was in the Club House following the game.