LEYTON ORIENT
Vanarama National League
Saturday 15th September 2018
Kick Off: 3.00 pm
Stadium: The Breyer Group Stadium, Brisbane Road, Leyton, E10 5NF
Telephone: 0871 310 1881
Club Colours: Red, White and Black
Nickname: The O’s
Key Personnel:
Basildon born Justin Edinburgh is the current Gaffer at The Breyer Group Stadium.
He spent 10 seasons with Tottenham and also represented Southend Utd and Portsmouth.
He joined Orient in November 2017 but has a wealth of managerial experience notably at Rushden & Diamonds, Gillingham, Newport County and Northampton.
Brief Directions by Road:
The ground is situated off the Leyton High Road and the journey is very stop and start from whichever direction you travel. Yet from the North Circular Road (A406) by turning right at what is traditionally known as the Crooked Billet Roundabout it is pretty straightforward. From the A406, having passed under and over the Great Cambridge roundabout and Silver Street, turn south onto the A112 Chingford Road signposted Walthamstow and Leyton. Go straight over at the A503 junction where the road becomes Hoe Street. Pass Walthamstow Central Station and carry straight on into Leyton High Road passing Leyton Midland Road Station. After another mile (still A112) the ground is accessible from side roads on your right. Please note all these access roads are all very “British”, Balmoral, Windsor, Buckingham etc. Buses 58, 69, 97 and 158 run along Leyton High Road.
Car Parking:
Representatives of the club have asked me to point out that parking is severely restricted by residents permits around the stadium on matchdays.
Directions by Train:
The nearest tube station is Leyton (about a 1/2 of a mile away) which is on the Central Line (Red). Out of the station and turn right down Leyton High Road. On the other side of the road, you will eventually find Coronation Gardens on your left and the floodlights of the ground can be clearly seen behind them. Take the next left into Buckingham Road for the ground.
Eating and Drinking Locally:
The rather snug supporters bar at the ground does allow away fans and the cost on the door is £1.00. It can be found under the new West Stand and is actually listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. The Coach and Horses on Leyton High Road is now, I’m told, “home fans only” but the Leyton Technical pub on the corner of Adelaide Road is a beaut. It is built into the old Town Hall building. Lots of choice and serves food too. Something more quirky and “old school” is the Birbeck Tavern on Langthorne Road behind the Underground station. It will take you back to what a pub used to be like when the world was black and white!
Ground Description:
The ground has had a major facelift in the last decade and since our first visit in the League in September 1993 the only part still basically unaltered is the main East Stand although it has some new smart exterior cladding. It was allegedly purchased from Mitcham Greyhound Stadium, was erected in 1956 and holds around 3,500. Notice the splendid centre roof gable (now nudged along a little) which allegedly once held the dog track photo finish equipment. We will be allocated a section in this stand for the afternoon. To its left is the Tommy Johnson South Stand which seats around 1,400 and this replaced the original open away terrace. Opposite the Main Stand is the West Stand. It replaced the original stand which started life was a popular covered terrace which was made all-seated in the 1990’s. The new structure was built in September 2006. It is as it appears, an office block flanked by residential apartments with a skirt of seating for 2,800. It offers fantastic corporate facilities but is a perfect example of us saying goodbye to football ground character and welcome efficiency with commerce. The North Stand which resembles the Tommy Johnson Stand completes the picture.
Admission Prices:
Advance ticket prices-
Adults: £18.00
Seniors 65 & Over: £16.00
18-24 Years (advance only): £10.00
Under 18’s: £5.00
Matchday ticket prices-
Adults: £20.00
Seniors: £18.00
Under 18’s: £5.00
Our Last Meeting & Memories:
Our last visit was in January 2017 when two Ricardo Santos goals and another from Curtis Weston won it 3-1. On other bright sides of life, two Division 3 away games stand out – firstly a fantastic 3-3 draw in 1996, the Bees goals coming from Sean Devine x2 and Lee Hodges and secondly the following year when a very rare Linvoy Primus goal won it for Barnet in front of over 4,000 spectators. However, the best is left to last as is customary. A majestic two-goal Dougie Freedman performance and two quality finishes by Mark Cooper doesn’t even get close to telling the whole story of the 1994 1st Round 1st Leg Coca-Cola Cup tie at Underhill, it ranks as one of the greatest ever performances by a Barnet team in my opinion.
Overnight Stay Factor:
Leave it aat!
Celebrity Watch:
A luverly jubberly cockney cavalcade for your autograph books! Jonathan Woss, Graham Gooch, Fanny Cwaddock, Alfred Hitchcock, David Bailey and Angela Landsbury all are associated with the area. Comedian Bob Mills and musician Andrew Lloyd Webber are regular visitors to the ground as is one my best and nicest customers – I must mention him – Nick Sonenfeld and his family.
