Independent Leyton Orient Forum

As its my post im gonna go and say my opinion... scott mgleish was by far the better player . Best striker ive seen down orient . He's football knowledge was levels above anyone on pitch ... ive always wondered did kane learn from mgleish ... coz there similar traits between the two

In my honest opinion? Scott McGleish

Griffiths for me. The most natural goalscorer we'd had at the club since Peter Kitchen.

Who are they? Some guys from the 60s?

Ballard better than all of them

MalvoliO wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 7:15 pm Griffiths for me. The most natural goalscorer we'd had at the club since Peter Kitchen.

Seconded.

Griffiths for me.

Neither better than kitchen.
Both the players were a bit unsteady.
Griffiths got himself unnessisarily sent off and missed our play off final in 1999.suspended.which we lost!

Griffiths was my first proper hero. Great player (in my memories at least) used to love Scotty and extra marks for being more productive playing with us about 15 years after his first game at age 36 or whatever

Token wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 7:50 pm Ballard better than all of them

Barring TJ

Come on guys this is about Griffith and Mcgleish!

MrB wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 8:21 pm Come on guys this is about Griffith and Mcgleish!

Why cant we just not ask those Questions though ?
Griffith was outstanding with us at the time McGleish was Pants. Scotty only got going for us in his last spell

Griffiths… but he was my childhood hero and its rose tinted, loved how he used to wave to the home fans to wind them up when he scored away.

I'd back McGleish because he is a hero down the O's for his longeivity and played the game with a fierce spirit - and answering the call at a time of need. 5'8" and would be a 6'2" defender in the air. 99 years old and still chasing down defenders. Griffiths had a quite a bit more silk about him but laboured regularly. Never had pace nor was good in the air but culd make space and be where he needed to be when he needed to be there.

The season that never quite was, when Griffiths played alongside Richard Garcia, was a joy and promised so much attacking fun until Garcia did his ligaments in. Griffiths spoiled his reputation by getting needlessly sent off at Mansfield(?) and also engineering a move to Posh (?) just because H£arn would not pay off his alleged £10k gambling debts.

Token wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 7:50 pm Ballard better than all of them

You mean Kabia

Hi Doug. Griffiths.

Bandy Legs wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 8:17 pm

Token wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 7:50 pm Ballard better than all of them

Barring TJ

This I will agree with but I never saw him play. Ballard will end up in the top division. And he played for a terrible Orient side. Was a privilege to see him.

Carl Griffiths for me .

Token wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 8:58 pm

Bandy Legs wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 8:17 pm

Token wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 7:50 pm Ballard better than all of them

Barring TJ

This I will agree with but I never saw him play. Ballard will end up in the top division. And he played for a terrible Orient side. Was a privilege to see him.

And TJ had a withered arm, doubt anyone today would make it with such a big disadvantage now

Scotty for sure anytime. Boy, could he jump but he was a school gymnastic champion so I would say that's where he got the jumping skills from. He'd out jump 6 foot plus centre halves every time. But Kitch bettered them both and Ballard last season was the tops.

Bandy Legs wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 9:37 pm

Token wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 8:58 pm

Bandy Legs wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2026 8:17 pm

Barring TJ

This I will agree with but I never saw him play. Ballard will end up in the top division. And he played for a terrible Orient side. Was a privilege to see him.

And TJ had a withered arm, doubt anyone today would make it with such a big disadvantage now

I've never seen any footage of Tommy Johnston ever.
He must've been real tough in a brutal era

60 goals in 130 games. Has to be Griff.

Yeah has to be Griff of the two.

His transfer day move has to be the most gutting in all my time. Just when we were going for the play offs. And I’m pretty sure it was later than January in those days. What a Cnut Hearn was

Scotty is one of my all time favorites, so in going to say him

He had a lot of clubs, & never failed at any of them.

My all time list of strikers
1 Kitchen
2 Ballard
3 McGleish
4 Campbell
5 Griffiths

Ballard was doing it in 3rd division, Kitchen was doing it in 2nd division, hence their positions