18 January. Away to Peterborough (0-0). Consensus is that the team were tired after 130 minutes of football on Tuesday. The EFL highlights did not show any Orient attacks. Markanday made his début but supporters felt he did not know where he should be on the pitch. He was only mentioned twice in the BBC Live Text report. James shaving a post was our other highlight. One shot on target from 11. James replaced the suspended Clare. Team: Keeley, Currie, Simpson, Beckles, James, Galbraith, Obiero, Pratley, Donely, Markanday, Kelman. Subs: Phillips, Brown(Donley 59), Sweeney(Markanday 93), Cooper(Pratley 85), Pegrum, Jaiyesimi(Obiero 59), Warrington. BBC report. Video Highlights. In the post match video Wellens updated us with the status of injuries: Happe could play Tuesday, Ball may need further attention. Agyei early February, O’Neill early March. Signings: looking for a striker that can play on the wing plus another.

21 January. Home to Stevenage in the Vertu Trophy (0-1). We went out of the trophy via an own goal from Cooper. Players not in the starting line up were given a chance though Wellens thought only Sweeney showed anything. Team: Keeley, Sweeney, Simpson, James, Cooper, Obiero, Clare, Brown, Galbraith, Jaiyesimi, Perkins. Subs: Phillips, Donley(Galbraith 46), Beckles(Simpson 81), Pratley(Jaiyesimi 73), Carter, Kelman(Obiero 73), Currie(James 63). BBC report. Video Highlights. Richie was not happy. Excerpts from the post match video: I have to say the players that came in who have not been playing recently didn't do anything to change my mind about team selection the starting 11 have been unbelievable in recent weeks. It was an opportunity for the players that have not been playing to not just play this game but get into the the league team. On new players: Sonny Perkins. I spoke to his agent today, they're cracking on with it with with Leeds hopefully they can they can finalize a settlement with Leeds and then we can come to a negotiation with the agent. We've we had another bid in for a striker that has been rejected and we think that will become too expensive so we'll we'll we'll move elsewhere.

Zach Hemming who returned to Middlesbrough last month has signed on with St Mirren for a second time. Andy Whing left Solihull and became the manager at Barrow. Warrington was loaned to Salford until the end of the season.

25 January. Home to Reading (2-0 Markanday, Kelman). Class acts are Markanday and Abdulai. Reading lost a player early to a hamstring but really did not pose any threat. It took Markanday 29’ to score and had a chance earlier on but the keeper blocked the shot but should have shot earlier. Fine work by Donely. It took until six minutes into the second half to secure all the points when a short corner from Markanday and a cross from Donely eventually found Kelman and his shot was too hard to hold or palm out. We looked like a proper team. Team: Keeley, Currie, Beckles, Cooper, Brown, Galbraith, Pratley, Donely, Markanday, Abdulai, Kelman. Subs: Phillips, James(Markanday 73), Sweeney(Kelman 92), Happe, Obiero, Jaiyesimi(Abdulai 83), Clare(Pratley 73). BBC report. Video Highlights. A closer look. That took us to a place and a point off a play off place.

Not much ex O’s news. Kemp scored for Stevenage and Bonne for Southend. Warrington played the whole match for Salford. Johnson missed a penalty for Walsall. Coleman didn’t move from the bench for Gillingham nor did Pigott at Wimbledon. Moncur’s Ebbsfleet lost. Smith equalised for Swindon and Drinan also started.

28 January. Away to Exeter (2-6 Abdulai 3, Markanday, Clare, Donely). As it happened: After five minutes we were ahead when Abdulai scored his first for the club assisted by new boy Markanday. Two minutes later he got another.  On a hat trick after seven minutes. Donley got the assist and a boarder said “Donleys pass was unbelievable for the second goal”. Seven minutes Abdulai provided Clare for the third. On 34’Markanday scored his second in as many games. Again the assist came from Donely. Two minutes into the second half they got one back. Markanday was replaced by James. On 56’ we let in a second. A minute earlier Happe had replaced Beckles due to an injury. According to boarders two soft goals attributed to

James and Happe. Eight minutes later Abdulia completed his hat trick from a cross by Currie. We have only had 36.4% of the play. Brown replaces Sean Clare because of an injury on 71’. Seven minutes later Donely got in on the act assisted by Dan Happe with a headed pass. Jaiyesimi replaced Charlie Kelman and Sweeney Galbraith. Took us into a play off place.  Team: Keeley, Currie,  Beckles, Cooper, Clare, Galbraith, Pratley, Donely, Markanday, Abdulai, Kelman. Subs: Phillips, James(Markanday 46), Sweeney(Galbraith 81), Happe(Beckles 55), Obiero, Jaiyesimi(Kelman 81), Brown(Clare 71). BBC report. Video Highlights.  

Wellens said that there was a hold up with the Perkins signing. He did not elaborate only that he agreed with Leeds. In the mean time Sonny will not be picked unless there are injuries to loanees. He signed a two and a half year deal three days later.

Injury update. Beckles could be out eight weeks or longer depending on if he needs surgery. Clare three or four weeks out.

1 February. Home to Stockport County. Happe replaced the injured Beckles and the injured Simpson returned to the bench. We went a goal down on 14 which took us out of a play off place. Boarders were consistant in picking out Brown and Cooper as poor, a game too far for Pratley and Galbraith “ getting skinned all the time”. “The team as a whole is distinctly second best all over the pitch at present”. Pratley went off at half time, replaced by James. County had 10 shots at goal with half on target. We on the other hand had four with one on target + 57% of the play. Fifteen minutes into the second half Sonny Perkins replaced Dilan Markanday. Diallang Jaiyesimi replaced Jordan Brown 15’ from time. We had a further two shots but neither were on target. 63.1% of the game.  Team: Keeley, Currie, Happe, Cooper, Brown, Galbraith, Pratley, Donely, Markanday, Abdulai, Kelman. Subs: Phillips, James(Pratley 46), Sweeney, Simpson, Obiero, Jaiyesimi(Brown 75), Perkins(Markanday 61). We remain 6th with 44 points with three other clubs. BBC report. Video Highlights.

Pince of salt time. January transfer rumours: 17 Dec by TC9, £250k to sign AFC Wimbledon striker Matt Stevens. Set to sign a three year deal to go through on 1st January. 3 January by TC9 (again) Leyton Orient have had an offer of £250k accepted to sign Cambridge United defender Luke Bennett on a three year deal. 9 January by Pete O’Rouke: Leyton Orient are lining up a loan move for Blackburn Rovers winger Dilan Markanday. The former Tottenham youngster has impressed on loan at Chesterfield in the first half of the season. 9 January by the72: Orient and Stockport are 2 clubs chasing Man Utd winger Ethan Williams on loan.  Man Utd want him to gain experience. Scored 16 goals and registering 14 assists in just 39 games in the U18’s.  He joined Cheltenham. 10 January. From a forum member Malik Mothersille from Peterborough Utd on a 2.5 year deal! 11 January. From FLW who think Hearts midfielder Yan Dhanda is a good move. 13 January once again from the FLW: Leyton Orient and Rotherham United are reportedly interested in bringing Derby County's James Collins to League One. He joined Lincoln on a free. 16 January again from the FLW: Stoke City striker Niall Ennis. Can’t see that happing as Markanday is our sixth loan player and we can only name five on match days. He went on loan to Blackpool. The FLW also came up with this “During an appearance on the Orient Outlook Podcast, Director of Football Martin Ling confirmed Leyton Orient's interest in Ovie Ejaria.Ejaria reportedly once cost Reading around £3.5m back in the summer of 2020. He departed Reading in late 2023 and hasn't found a club since. But he had a significant knee injury.” 19 January again from the FLW based on an article from Alan Nixon in the Sun. Reportedly interested in Oxford United winger Owen Dale, who is valued at a fee of £150,000. In his last 80 games he has scored three goals. He joined Wigan on loan. 20 January from Pete O’Rourke: Swansea midfielder Azeem Abdulai has agreed a move to Leyton Orient. Abdulai is set to sign a two-and-a-half year deal with Orient and the move is expected to be confirmed in the next 24 hours. He didn’t sign until the 22nd. 28 January The Deck News via FLW: Maidenhead United star Reece Smith who has scored five goals and provided five additional assists for the National League side. MK Dons are also interested. The 22 year-old Smith has made 145 appearances for Maidenhead United in all competitions to date and he has scored 22 goals, as well as chipping in with 11 assists. 30 January again from FLW: League One duo Leyton Orient and Wigan Athletic are among a number of EFL clubs looking into a late loan deal for highly-rated Fulham prospect Kristian Sekularac. The fact we already have six loanees has escaped them. 3 February from Bolton News (amongst others): Randell Wiiliam a winger or wing back depending on the site, but he is 28. The 72: Hull City’s Andy Smith, a 23 year-old centre back. He joined Gillingham on loan.

Deadline Day is on Monday, 3 February at 23:00 GMT.

Other ex O’s on the move were Ed Turns who Brighton sold to Exeter and Stephen Duke McKenna who Harrowgate loaned to St Johnstone. We turned down a £1m for Galbraith. James Alabi is playing for Welling. Earlier in the season he turned out for Eastbourne. Crawley have loaned Sonny Fish to Solihull Moors for the rest of the season. Rumour has it 24 year old Shrewsbury player George Lloyd was the striker who we unsuccessfully tried to get in the recent transfer window. Rumour: Kemar Roofe is training with us at the moment. A free agent who used to play for Rangers and Leeds. Harry McKirdy who we were alleged to be interested in a season or two back has left Hibernian from Bromley for free.

Richie Wellens wins Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for January. 

8 February. Home to Manchester City FA Cup (1-2 o/g). With Abdulai, Edmonds-Green and Williams cup tied and Archibald, Graham, Beckles, Clare, Agyei and O’Neill injured the team sort of picked itself. Ball may not be fit. This was always going to end one way but on 16’ a shot by Donely from the halfway mark hit the underside of the bar and the keeper to put us one up. I thought we would do well to last to half time but it was 55’ before City drew level through a deflection. They progressed to the next round on 79’. Donley has previous, here. Team: Keeley, Currie, Happe, Simpson, James, Brown, Galbraith, Jaiyesimi, Perkins, Donely, Kelman. Subs: Phillips, Agyei(Donley 85), Ball(Brown 85), Carter, Pratley(Jaiyesimi 54), Sweeney, Cooper(Perkins 65), Obiero(Galbraith 86), Markanday 61). Every player played their part, all heros. This took us down to ninth with the League One games in action. BBC report and a closer look.

11 February. Home to Mansfield (3-0 Brown, Williams, Galbraith). The Stags were on a run of six defeats and after 32 minutes it was easy to see why. The new signings returned. After six minutes a Galbraith corner was flicked into the net by Brown. Williams marked his début with a goal after picking up a pass from Brown on the halfway line, ran 30+ yards and unleashed a left foot shot from just outside the area past the left hand of the keeper. Galbraith, who was on fire completed the rout on 32’ picking up a clearance halfway into the Mansfield half and ghosted his way past players and it was another left foot shot that evaded the left glove of the keeper. Mansfield did better the second half but we appeared to treat it as a lesson of passing across the field and back. Team: Keeley, Currie, Happe, Edmonds-Green, Brown, Galbraith, Williams, Prately, Donely, Abdulai, Markanday. Subs: Phillips, Agyei(Abdulai 86), Ball(Brown 73), James(Donley 76), Perkins(Williams 86), Cooper, Kelman(Markanday 73). BBC report. Video highlights. Up to seventh in the table.

15 February. Home to Lincoln (3-2 Perkins 2, Kelman). Injuries to Happe and Pratley meant changes. A Perkins brace after 28’ and we thought we were home and dry. On 17’ a Williams free kick was headed on by Galbraith and the unmarked Perkins nodded home. On 28’ Galbraith nicked the ball off a defender and ran toward goal, evading a flying tackle he drew two other defenders toward him before finding the unmarked Perkins to slide home. Seven minutes into added time Keeley who had already had an escape after passing straight to the the opposition, palmed a shot to the unmarked Montsma to get one back. On 75’ a header bounced off his knees into Collins to draw the Imps level. James went went off with what looked like a hamstring and was replaced by Cooper on 48’ and he was replaced by Jaiyesimi on 82’. Abdulai was unlucky after dancing through three players to see his shot go wide. Two minutes into added time Galbraith made it a hat trick of assists when his cross found Kelman to fire home.  Team: Keeley, Currie, Simpson, Edmonds-Green, James, Brown, Galbraith, Williams, Abdulai, Kelman, Perkins. Subs: Phillips, Agyei(Abdulai 82), Ball(Perkins 68), Jaiyesimi(Cooper 82), Donely(Williams 68), Cooper(James 48), Markanday. BBC report. Video highlights. Back to a play off place on 50 points with Charlton and Bolton both of which we have to play in the next month along with top of the table Birmingham and away to third place Wrexham on Tuesday.

What news of those players we were linked to in the transfer window? Collins scored against us for Lincoln as did Ennis for Blackpool and Stevens for Wimbledon but Pigott didn’t leave the bench. Williams provided an assist for Cheltenham. The rest of the ex O’s news: Bonne came on for Southend and took 13’ to get booked. Vigouroux let in a goal from the half way line. Neither Coleman nor Ogie started for Gillingham. Smyth came off the bench at QPR. Harry Smith couldn’t help Swindon losing. Drinan was not in the team. Koroma scored for Huddersfield.

22 February. Away to Bolton (2-1 Kelman).Despite taking the lead five minutes before the break through Kelman from a close range header, Bolton equalised on 60’ and Ball gave away a needless penalty on 75’. Cooper going off with cramp on 57’ did not help matters. It was a shame and none of the top six won and we would have been up to fourth. Team: Keeley, Currie, Cooper, Edmonds-Green, Pratley, Brown, Galbraith, Williams, Abdulai, Kelman, Donely. Subs: Phillips, Agyei(Abdulai 70), Obiero(Ball 90), Sweeney(Cooper 57), BallJaiyesimi, Markanday(Brown 90), Perkins(Williams 69). BBC report. Video highlights.

25 February. Away to Birmingham (2-0). This game was over from the  twelfth minute when Currie was given a red card. The linesman standing a yard away did not signal. The referee, Martin Woods has previous with red cards. Birmingham scored on 53 and 84’. Team: Keeley, Currie, Cooper, Edmonds-Green, Ball, Brown, Galbraith, Markanday, Agyei, Kelman, Donely. Subs: Phillips, Abdulai(Agyei 54), Ball(Kelman 16), Sweeney(Markanday 16), Jaiyesimi, Williams(Galbraith 66), Perkins(Donley 67). BBC report. Video highlights.

1 March. Home to Charlton (1-2 Brown). We lose it in five minutes of added time. Brown put us in the lead with a fine strike on 50’. But in 90+2 a far post corner was not dealt with by Keeley and they equalised. Five minutes later another far post corner was also not dealt with by Keeley. Sweeney replaced the suspended Currie but with Happe, Simpson and Beckles we did not have the height in defence in numbers to deal with their second half substitutes. The result took us out of the play off spots at eight. Team: Keeley, Sweeney, Cooper, Edmonds-Green, Pratley, Brown, Galbraith, Markanday, Agyei, Kelman, Donely. Subs: Phillips, Abdulai(Markanday 82), Ball, Clare(Donley 86), Jaiyesimi, Williams(Galbraith 66), Agyei(Perkins 77). BBC report. Video highlights.

4 March. Away to Rotherham (1-0). This tie was settled by an own goal from Sweeney. Despite 60% of the play and 17 shots at goal we gave away all three points. Team: Keeley, Sweeney, Cooper, Edmonds-Green, Ball, Brown, Galbraith, Markanday, Agyei , Kelman, Donely. Subs: Phillips, Abdulai(Ball 81) Pratley, Clare(Donley 81), Jaiyesimi(Markanday 67), Williams(Agyei 67), Perkins(Kelman 81). BBC report. Video highlights. Down to 9th.

8 March. Home to Northampton (1-2 Kelman). The points went north when Simpson’s first touch let him down and the Cobblers took a two goal lead. An unchallenged header, Sweeney was nearest, on 11’ put us a goal down. Simpson's error meant we went into the break two down and it was not until the 60’ some hope was restored when Agyei’s header found Kelman going forward to score from close in. I had a Christmas present with me and my clicker registered 83 back or across passes. Team: Keeley, Sweeney, Simpson, Edmonds-Green, Pratley, Brown, Galbraith, Abdulai, Agyei, Williams, Donely. Subs: Phillips, Ball, Clare(Pratley 73), Cooper, Jaiyesimi(Donley 77), Kelman(Sweeney 46), Perkins(Abdulai 87). BBC report. Video highlights.

15 March. Away to Blackpool (1-2 Kelman 2). Wellens “We got away with one”. They had 22 shots to our 11 but their finishing and Keeley’s saves meant they went empty handed as far as points were concerned. On 29’ Diallang Jaiyesimi sent a cross in and Kelman buried his close-range header. The Seasiders drew level on 61’ when Brown lost control of the ball but within two minutes Brown made amends when from his challenge he found Dan Agyei who reached the by-line and sent a low ball across goal for Kelman to turn in. Sweeney, who was pulled off at half time last match did not make the bench as Currie returned. Team: Keeley, Currie, Simpson, Edmonds-Green, Clare, Brown, Galbraith, Abdulai, Agyei, Jaiyesimi, Kelman. Subs: Phillips, Ball(Abdulai 81), Pratley(Clare 60), Cooper(Simpson 46), Donely(Jaiyesimi 60), Markanday, Perkins(Agyei 94). BBC report. Video highlights.

Ex Orient players not even making the bench were Coleman and Ogie, Drinan, Johnson, Pigott and Koroma.

The next match away at Mansfield was postponed due to international duties. Donely, Gailbraith and Beckles were in the frame to be picked by their country. Which means most of our injured should be back for the Thursday home match against Stevenage on the 27th. Moncur signed a permanent deal with Ebbsfleet who had just got relegated.

17 March. Youngster Teddy Lamb was sold to Manchester City for a reported £355,000.

27 March. Home to Stevenage (1-0 Kelman). Comment from a forum: One of the worst wins you'll ever see that. But 3 points is 3 points and just about stay in the play off picture.  It was going well early on and we got a break when Jaiyesimi's corner was punched out and Clare volleyed it back into the area to be met by a Kelman header that gave the keeper no chance. To some extent our attacking flare departed and throughout the match we had just three shots only two of which were on target. Galbraith had been injured on international duty and would be out ten days. Donely had just returned from Sweden and warmed the bench. James will be back training on Monday. O'Neill and Happe returned to the bench. Brown limped off a Kelman taken off after a visit from the trainer. The clicker recorded 79 across and back passes. Team: Keeley, Currie, Cooper, Edmonds-Green, Clare, Brown, Pratley, Markanday, Agyei, Jaiyesimi, Kelman. Subs: Phillips, Ball(Brown 63), Happe, O'Neill(Jaiyesimi 70), Donely(Markanday 70), Abdulai(Kelman 79), Perkins(Agyei 79). BBC report. Video highlights.

1 April. Away to Burton Albion (2-1 Agyei). Took the lead after ten minutes then it all went pear shaped. They were in a relegation place whilst we wanted the points to get nearer to a play off place. They wanted it more maybe. From the BBC Agyei bagged his fifth League goal of the campaign after just 10 minutes, bundling the ball over the line after Max Crocombe had saved Charlie Kelman's effort. Happe returned replacing Cooper and Markanday was replaced by Donely. Trouble is that too many of the team have little or no experience at this level. Not that I haven't said that before have I? Team: Keeley, Currie, Happe, Edmonds-Green, Clare, Brown, Pratley, Donely, Agyei, Jaiyesimi, Kelman. Subs: Phillips, Cooper, Ball(Prately 62), O'Neill(Jaiyesimi 41), Markanday(Donley 81), Abdulai(Clare 80), Perkins(Agyei 81). BBC report. Video highlights.

5 April Home to Wigan (0-0). Another struggling club that are two places from a relegation place. Wellens said "They came for a point". Statistics appear to bear him out. We had 67% of the play with 16 shots but just four on target whilst they had one off target shot. We had 16 corners to their one. My clicker registered 139 passes were either across or back. A change in personnel saw Kelman, Jaiyesimi, Brown, Donley and Pratley all rested. James returned but went off with a shoulder injury on 53'. Also returning to the starting line up were Galbraith, Cooper, Williams, Markanday and Abdulai. Abdulaimlike Kelman and Donley cannot win a ball in the air, not sure about Currie or Perkins either. Team: Keeley, Currie, Happe, James, Galbraith, Clare, Cooper, Abdulai, Williams, Agyei, Markanday. Subs: Phillips, Kelman(Agyei 67), Prately 62), Beckles, Brown(James  53),(Donley 81), Jaiyesimi(Abdulai  76), Donely(Williams  76). BBC report. Video highlights.

8 April. Away to Mansfield (2-3 Markanday, Kelman 2).  We were a goal down from the third minute due to poor defending from Currie. Reg returned to replace the injured Happe and James was replaced by Brown. Kelman replaced Agyei. On 39' Markandy equalised following a pass from Williams and scored dispite close attention several times. Things got better in the second half when Kelman scored his 20th goal of the season with an assist from Donely. But 19' later they drew level. All to play for in the final 18'. On 63' Donley and Kelman combined again and Charlie got his second of the match with an absolute stunner from outside the box. We saw out the remaining time including seven minutes of added time. We remained in ninth place some five points away from a play off place.  Team: Keeley, Currie, Brown, Edmunds-Green, Clare, Cooper, Abdulai, Williams, Kelman, Donely, Markanday. Subs: Phillips, Prately(Markanday 82), Beckles(Brown 73), Ball(Clare 90), Perkins, Jaiyesimi, Agyei(Abdulai 70).  BBC report. Video highlights. 

Wellens confirmed that James and Happe's seasons were over. Good job Beckles was on his way back.

12 April. Away to Crawley (1-3 Kelman 2 1 pen, Donely). Crawley were in a relegation place but they went into the lead after Clare gave away a penalty on 49'. Kelman equalised three minutes later with a long punt by REG head towards Kelman. A hesitant defender allowed Kelman all he needed to equalise. A minute later we were in the lead when Markanday was adjudged to have been fouled by the goalie who had only joined them the previous day as an emergency keeper. Kelman scored from the spot. Two minutes into added time Donely made it three when the keeper made a slack pass and Ball out muscled the defender. Only one change in the team that of Beckles for Cooper who managed to get booked in his first minute. Team: Keeley, Currie, Brown, Edmunds-Green, Clare, Beckles, Abdulai, Williams, Kelman, Donely, Markanday. Subs: Phillips, Obeiro, Cooper(Brown 62), Ball(Markanday 71), Perkins, Jaiyesimi(Kelman 79), Agyei(Abdulai 78). BBC report. Video highlights. This put us up to seventh and with Reading dropping points it made us three from a play off place though we play third place Wycombe on Friday.

News of ex O's. Moncur created two goals in a rare win for the relegated Ebbsfleet. Bonne could not stop Southend losing to a Solihull team fielding Wilkinson. Sotiriou couldn't halt another Bristol Rovers defeat pushing them into a relegation place. Harry Smith scored two in a 5-4 win therebye denting Bradford's hope of an automatic play off place. Drinan was not in the team and nor was Coleman at Gillingham but Ogie played. Sanders turned out for Crewe but Warrington only got a minute for Salford and Johnson just 14' at Walsall. Pigott, El Mizouni, Koroma warmed the bench without playing. Gateshead have signed striker former West Ham striker Frank Nouble from fellow National League side Yeovil Town on a deal until the end of the 2025-26 season. 

The O's spent £172,049 on agents fees this season that is one of the lowest amounts in league one. Only Shrewsbury, Crawley. Exeter, Wigan, Northampton and Mansfield spent less. Huddersfield (£1,160,403) were the highest spenders followed by Wrexham, Birmingham, Bolton and Charlton. 

18 April. Home to Barnsley (4-3 Galbraith, Kelman, Clare, Beckles). 0-2 down 1-3 down win 4-3. Wellens said "we were very very good in the second half. Their first goal came from our nemesis the corner. The second was allegedly offside but Currie was nowhere near to marking his man. A mini comeback came in the form of a Galbraith goal that went through the legs of a defender. Beckles was our next player to foul up in his own area and we were 1-3 down. Back we came four minutes later when Donley picked out Kelman for the striker to net his 20th league goal of the season. Kelman then found the incoming Clare for him to slot home the equaliser. The 23 minute turn around was complete when Beckles fired through a melee of players.  Team: Keeley, Currie, Galbraith, Brown, Edmunds-Green, Beckles, Pratley, Williams, Kelman, Donely, Agyei. Subs: Phillips, Cooper(Williams  86), Ball, Clare(Pratley  46), Markanday(Agyei  78), Jaiyesimi, Abdulai(Kelman 86). BBC report. Video highlights a closer look. This took us up to sixth thanks to Lincoln beating Reading in Berkshire. Our goal difference is superior.

21 April. Away to Cambridge (1-2 Kelman, Donley). They needed to win this to stay in the league. Twice we went close before their breakaway goal. Galbraith could have been blamed for not being close enough to mark somebody, Beckles failed to cut out the cross as did REG to cut out the header across goal and neither Galbraith nor Brown got to the cross. It took another 48' to draw level. Agyei drove at the defender and his cross found the head of Kelman for the equaliser with a close range header. Nine minutes later Currie found Donely who controlled the ball with one foot and found the net with the other. Team: Keeley, Currie, Galbraith, Brown, Edmunds-Green, Clare, Beckles, Williams, Kelman, Donely, Markanday. Subs: Phillips, Cooper(Kelman 85), Ball, O'Neill(Currie 90), Agyei(Markanday 46), Jaiyesimi(Williams 46), Abdulai(Clare 64). BBC report. Video highlights. This kept us in 6th place but Reading also won. They face Bristol Rover next and they are in a relegation place whilst we face Wycombe who want to be back in an automatic play off place after being beaten 0-4 at home to Charlton.

26 April. Home to Wycombe (1-0 Williams). It looked like the Chairboys had come for a point given the urgency of their play. Cooper went close early on with a header and Galbraith looked a certainty for a red card but just got a yellow. The opposition could only muster weak shots on target or blasted the ball high or wide. In the second half Donley shot wide but on 66 Agyei's far post cross was met by the head of Williams for a deserved win. Abdulia stung the hand of the goalie with a fierce shot which was palmed one handed for a corner. Team: Keeley, Cooper, Galbraith, Brown, Edmunds-Green, Clare, Beckles, Williams, Kelman, Donely, Agyei. Subs: Phillips, Markanday, Ball(Brown 92), O'Neill, Pratley(Cooper 65), Jaiyesimi, Abdulai(Agyei 79). BBC report. Video highlights. Reading also won which meant we would have to win at Huddersfield next Saturday. Reading were at home to 12th place Barnsley. The click-o- meter recorded 98 passes acros and back but I missed the first eight minutes.

Should we remain in this division next season we will not be playing Shrewsbury, Cambridge, Bristol Rovers or Crawley. At the moment only Doncaster and Port Vale have been promoted from below. Coming down are Cardiff who had just sacked ex O's manager Omar Riza and Plymouth. The other place is between five clubs. Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton were promoted last season. All three have been relegated. The teams just above them? West Ham, Spurs, Everton and Manchester United.

3 April. Away to Huddersfield (1-4 Agyei 2, O/G, Abdulai). We needed to win this and Reading would not be able to catch us. As it turned out Reading lost at home to Barnsley 2-4 and we demolished the Terriers. The game was over at 90 seconds when a bad back pass from Koroma found Donley. He passed across goal to the unmarked Agyei to left foot into the net. On 24' their goalie flapped at a deflected cross into his own net claiming a shove. Not that it shows up on the video. Four minutes before the break Koroma made up for his earlier error with a header that evaded Keeley. Paul Terry was sent off for preventing a quick throw-in. Wellens thought it was hilarious. Three minutes into the second half Kelman found Agyei who took a touch or two and left footed a curling ball into the far post net. The rout was complete on 79' when a pinpoint cross from Galbraith found the head of Abdulai to nod downwards into the net. Galbraith was lunged at by 16 Kane which would have resulted in a red had he made contact. Wellens kept the same team with Currie returning to the bench replacing Pratley.  Team: Keeley, Cooper, Galbraith, Brown, Edmunds-Green, Clare, Beckles, Williams, Kelman, Donely, Agyei. Subs: Phillips, Markanday, Ball(Cooper 64), O'Neill(Kelman 75), Currie(Brown 83), Jaiyesimi(Williams 84), Abdulai(Agyei 75). BBC report. Video highlights. A closer look. Stockport will be our opponents in the play offs. Home first on Saturday followed by the away match the following Wednesday. The managerless Huddersfield  finished tenth in the third tier, their lowest league finish for 17 years. 

Koroma was one of nine players released by Huddersfield. Barnsley release 21, Blackpool 12, Bolton 14, Bristol rovers sacked their manager and released nine. Exeter relased 9 as did Mansfield. Northampton released 12, sixteen are to leave Peterborough including Kyprianou. 

Luton were relegated on goal difference. Bradford won the third automatic promotion spot in League Two.

10 May. Home to Stockport Play Off leg one (2-2 Kelman 2, 1 pen). They seemed like a team of thugs but two players nine and ten ran the defence ragged as Cooper and REG struggled to keep some control. Controversy in the 30' when Clare headed the ball back into the area. If Beckles took a slight touch then Kelman was offside. The ref didn't see it so goal. Fifteen minutes into the second half and they were awarded a penalty when REG handled the ball. More like the ball hit his hand. 1-1. Stockport went into the lead when Williams fouled on the edge of the the area and Clare failed to mark his man going goalward. Kelman was upended in the area but again the ref failed to react. Kelman equalised on 88' following another hand ball penalty. Onto the away leg on Wednesday. Brown was injured and Abdulai replaced him. He was missed. We looked a lot better when James, O'Neill and Currie returned but they were still unfit following injuries. Team: Keeley, Cooper, Galbraith, Edmunds-Green, Clare, Beckles, Williams, Kelman, Abdulai, Donely, Agyei. Subs: Phillips, Markanday, Ball, O'Neill(Abdulai 71), Currie(Williams  66), Jaiyesimi, James(Cooper 67). BBC report. Video highlights. A closer look.  

14 May. Away to Stockport Play Off leg two (1-1 O'Neill). Wembley bound after winning 1-4 on penalties. O'Neill was back in the team and it took him under three minutes to put us in the lead after a stunning pass from Galbraith which O'Neill ran onto and hit first bounce into the net. A team of thugs is how I last described them but I forgot to add play acting and time wasting. In particular a tackle from Moxon on Clare. Studs showing, off the ground a definate red but not even a yellow. Supporters noticing how many O's players were booked for minor misdemeanors, five to their three. Kelman went close with a header that hit the crossbar. His torn shirt a testament to their dark arts. Corners resembled a wrestling match and at one point Beckles had his man in a headlock. County had their chances but headers and shots were well wide or high but they did hit the upright. Their equaliser came when Olaofe stuck out a foot on 74' wrong footing Keeley. On to extra time and penalties. James, Clare, scored but Keeley saved one from 7 Diamond. Abdulai converted his but their next player hit the upright so it was up to Galbraith to send us to Wembley, which he did. Currie also returned to the starting 11 as did Brown and he was the difference. Their keeper had a hissy fit throwing Keeley's bottle into the crowd for which he was duly booked. Team: Keeley, Galbraith, Edmunds-Green, Currie, Clare, Beckles, Brown, Kelman, O'Neill, Donely, Agyei. Subs: Phillips, Markanday(Donley  112), Ball(Brown  90), Cooper(R. Edmonds-Green 105), Abdulai(Agyei 77), James(Currie 65), Williams(O'Neill 67). BBC report. Video highlights. A closer look. 

Charlton beat Wycombe by a single goal in the second leg so it is they we will play at Wembley on Sunday 25 at 1pm wearing our grey kit. 

Awards abound at Leyton Stadium.  Mark Devlin named as CEO of the Year at Football Business awards. Jamie Donley wins PFA Fans' Player of the Month for April. Charlie Kelman wins Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for April and won the League One Golden Boot.

The  club announced a stadium naming rights partnership with BetWright. The deal will see Brisbane Road renamed as the BetWright Stadium for the next two years, effective from June 1st 2025. This follows the winding-up of the Gaughan Group.

Ethan Galbraith and Jamie Donley named in Northern Ireland squad.

The releasing of ex Orient players continues and as well as Koroma, Fish left Crawley and Markanday was released by Blackburn. Kyprianou was out of contract at Peterborough and later signed a five year contract with Watford. One time alleged Orient target McKirdy was released by Bromley after his short term contract came to an end and joined Crawley. Danny Johnson at Walsall. Dalby left Wrexham and joined Bolton. Tom Carroll at Reading. Dennis at Bromley. He joined Torquay. Chicksen at Notts County. Jama Loza at Barnet. Cissé at Eastleigh. Jerome Binnom-Williams at Maidenhead. Connor Wood at Tranmere. Omotoye at Forest Green. Tristam Abrahams joined Aldershot after 52 app and 15 goals at Maidenhead. Former Millwall loanee Dan Moss left Woking for a one-year deal at Rochdale. Sadlier left Wycombe. They have a huge staff: 24 under contract, ten released, five loanees returning and another five in discussions over a new contract = 44. Edwards our loanee from Arsenal was released. He signed for Estoril in Portugal. 

Better news: Angol was offered another contract at NL bound Morecambe but George Ray was released. Drinan was offered another contract at Swindon. Glen Morris was offered a new contract at Gillingham as was Wilkinson at Solihull. Tunji Akinola  signed a new one-year contract extension with Woking. He has spent the last two seasons there after leaving Partick Thistle. Dale Gorman and Harry Beautyman are there.

Wellens reported that one of the loanees had an option to buy. Wouldn't be Markanday as he joined Chesterfield on a three year deal. They also signed Zach Hemming for an undisclosed fee. Gandler interview. 

25 May League One play off at Wembley v Charlton (1-0). REG gave away a free kick against his old club  just outside out area and they scored from it to end our season. Wellens was off the opinion that an experienced keeper may have saved it. Forum members were of the opinion that Donley did not turn up, O'Neill afraid to shoot, Kelman living off scraps and Clare couldn't pass the ball to save his life. Far to many far post crosses were to nobody or too high. There was a ten minute plus delay when we were on top because the referee's microphone was not working. You couldn't make it up. Happe returned to the bench replacing Cooper.  Team: Keeley, Galbraith, Edmunds-Green, Currie, Clare, Beckles, Brown, Kelman, O'Neill, Donely, Agyei. Subs: Phillips, Markanday, Ball(Brown  74), Happe(Beckles 82), Abdulai(Agyei 82), James(Clare 74), Williams(O'Neill 82). BBC report. Video highlights.

Fisch on the LOFCforum.boards.net had this to say: Have we dodged a HIMARS missile?  We would face: Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester. Each newly infused with this years £45M parachute payments.

Add Sheffield Utd and Norwich. They got the £45M 2 years ago plus £40M last year and £20M this year from their earlier relegations.

Add to the above these “moneybags” clubs: Birmingham City, Wrexham, Derby County, Portsmouth, QPR, Watford, Sheffield Wednesday.

Then there are the ”big “ clubs who are not super rich but way out of our spending league:

Swansea, Preston, Stoke, Hull (if they don’t keep being stupid), Middlesboro, WBA, Blackburn, Coventry, Bristol City.

That just leaves Millwall and Oxford who, probably, have about double our budget. Even Plymouth, Luton (with their £45M parachute payment) and Cardiff couldn’t stand the pace.

All this begs a clear question….How on earth were we ever going to stand a chance to compete with that line-up? 

Every goal scored by the O's in the 2024/25 campaign. 

Rumours continued: June 5 Daily Transfer news, Walsall, Bristol Rovers and Swindon are competing for the signature of Leyton Orient defender Brandon Cooper. Same day, same source: Leyton Orient have agreed a deal to sign Watford defender James Morris on a season long loan. The left back featured 18 times for Watford last season. Again same source same day: Stockport, Blackpool and Hibernian are all trying to sign Manchester United youngster Ethan Williams on loan. Bolton and Leyton Orient both had approaches rejected. We were allegedly after him in January but he signed for Cheltenham playing 17 times scoring two goals. June 10 Daily Transfer News, prolific aren't they? Ethon Archer is a target for a number of League One clubs after a 6-figure bid was rejected yesterday. Peterborough and Leyton Orient are two of the interested teams, with the latter believed to be the team who had a bid rejected. He later joined Luton. June 10, Darren Chester: Carlisle looking to offer contract to Luke Plange, formerly released by Crystal Palace but face competition from Leyton Orient. He never played for Palace but they loaned him to Derby, RWD Molenbeek, Lincoln, Carlisle,  HJK and Motherwell making a total of 127 games scoring 15 goals. June 15 DTNews: Tom James is set to depart the club in the summer. It is believed that Notts County are keen on the full back. June 19 FLW: Interest shown in Burnley's Dara Costelloe. The 22-year-old scored six goals in 15 appearances for Northampton Town last season, playing exclusively through the middle of the pitch as a striker despite naturally being a winger, and for Accrington Stanley he made 14 starts from 17 scoring five goals with one assist. He went to Wigan. 22 June: The Deck report our interest in Brighton forward 22 year-old Mark O'Mahoney who was on loan at Pompey last season but due to a muscle injury it limited him to five starts in his 13 matches but he did score three goals. He joined Reading. 30 June, Rumours have dried up but these names appeared on the forums: Hindolo Mustapha the Crystal Palace 18 year old attacking midfielder. Tommy Simkin "Strong rumour he’s our new goalie." 

15 June, we turn down a £1.5million bid from Charlton for Ethan Galbraith. Later a £2.5m was allegedly offered by Huddersfield. They have had eight managers since 2023: Lee Grant, Jonathan Worthington, Michael Duff, André Breitenreiter, Jonathan Worthington, Darren Moore, Neil Warnock, Narcís Pèlach who would, in their right mind, sign for them? I suspect that Charlton offered £1.3m and Huddersfield £1.5m judging from what I have read.

The club will form a new U21 side ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The side, which will look to bridge the gap between the U18's and the First Team, will allow for Orient's youngsters to play in a more professional environment, against more senior opposition, as they look to make inroads into Richie Wellens' First Team.

20 June. Wellens signs a three-year contract. With the fixtures out in six days and the first friendly on the 5 July and the bonding trip to Spain on the 11th time appears short to get players in and new contracts signed. Some supporters are worried again.

23 June. Ball joined Cambridge on a two-year contract.

Dan Agyei has rejected an offer of a new contract in order to join Turkish Super Lig club Kocaelispor. 

29 June. Jack Simpson signs a one-year deal. 

30 June. Noah Phillips signed a two-year contract and Makai Welch a one-year contract. Beckles signed a two-year deal.

More rumours: July 2 TC9: Leyton Orient are close to completing the signing of striker George Alexander from Eastbourne Borough on a two year deal. The former Bromley striker scored 24 goals in 40 league games for Eastbourne last season and has been subject of major EFL interest.

3 July: Darren Pratley signed as the new U21 coach.

4 July: Galbraith joined Swansea for an undisclosed club record (for us) fee which is understood to be about £1.5m. 

5 July: Friendly at Brentwood 0-5 (Azeem Abdulai, Zach Hambury, Diallang Jaiyesimi, Sonny Perkins and a trialist). Rumours flowed following the match which fielded the following teams: First half XI: Cahill, Welch, Clare, Cooper, Trialist 1, El Mizouni, Warrington, Abdulai, Carter, Trialist 2, Trialist 3.

Second half XI: Phillips, Trialist 4, Edmonds-Green, Simpson, James, Obiero, Bullas, Jaiyesimi, Perkins, Hambury, O'Neill. No Brown which started the rumour he was off to Blackpool for £400,000. Wellens post match said a striker had been signed and would meet up with the team in Spain. Plus someone who would sign on the 15th. This striker rumour targeted two possible players in Alfie May (Birmingham) or Aaron Connolly (Millwall). Tommy Simkin was still favourite as our new keeper but it would be a loan and could be him on the 15th. Manor Solomon on loan from Spurs. Keanan Bennetts a North Londoner with a German mother and Nigeria father who has spent most of his football in the Fatherland was to go with the team to Spain. Striker/winger Mallik Rashaun Coley Wilks has just been released by Sheffield Wednesday. He joined Turkish side Pendrikspor.

Rumours still abound: George Abbott: Spurs 19 year old central midfielder. Played on loan at Notts County last season and made 40+ appearances. 9 July: Emmanuel Longelo, LB we are interested, this has come from Birmingham's end and not ours so not sure how true it is. He's a 24 year old attacking left back who really fits our profile of player, up until the end of the 23/24 season he was a regular for Birmingham in the Championship, he was supposed to sign for Barnsley at the start of last season but the deal fell through. 9 July: from Daniel Slawinski: Orient close to agreeing a deal for @Tyreeq_Bakinson according to the Sky Sports news. He has played a lot of games for a lot of different clubs. 6ft 3 midfielder could be replacement for Brown. 15 July: via John Harriot, Josh Koroma to return. Football Insider: We are in a race with Luton, Reading and Stevenage to sign West Ham’s Gideon Kodua. Kevin Lisbie's son Kyreece Colchester winger we are interested or after him for £150.000. Macaulay Langstaff from Millwall.

8 July. Jordan Brown joined Blackpool for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contact with another year option. With the loss of 12 players (excluding those who did not play) and with five joining I make that a further seven players needed. Apparently he wanted to move north.

The match in Spain against Cyprus side Pafos ended in a 0-1 defeat. Not sure what the starting line-up was as the club didn't give it but the second half fielded: Phillips, Craig, Beckles, Simpson, James, Cooper, Obiero, Bakinson, Carter, Abdulai, O'Neill. 

Next match is away at Welling on the 16th. The match was played at Ebbsfleet as the Welling pitch was in no fit state for play. The match ended 0-10. Goals from Demetri Mitchell, Zech Obiero (x2), Aaron Connolly, Azeem Abdulai, Josh Koroma (x2), Sonny Perkins (x2) and Zach Hambury. Video Highlights.

Charlie Pegrum despite having a year left on his contract (i think) was allowed to sign for Hornchurch.

More rumours: Jack Moorhouse a young Manchester United midfielder. Jakob Lowe: from a forum. Jacob joined Chelsea at Under-9s level and has developed into a smart, composed centre-back. Praised for his reading of the game and ability to win duels, he has become a leader within the defensive unit. Last season, during his Under-16s year, he stepped up to the Under-18s, gaining valuable experience as he transitions into full-time football. 

19 July. Following heavy rain the friendly at Barnet was cancelled but the one at Ebbsfleet went ahead with the following team: Cahill, Chinedu, Happe, Cooper, Koroma, Connolly, Bakinson, Reg, Perkins, Dj, Clare. Subs: Carter, Philips, Anderson, Hambury, Bullas. (1-4) Connolly scored the first. Clare with the second before they pulled one back. Carter scored the third before DJ got the final goal. Neither Connolly or Koroma played the full 90 as neither is fully fit. Yet. Video.

The match at Barnet was played later behind closed doors and resulted in a 2-0 win for the Bees.

A friendly match was played behind closed doors and resulted in a 0-4 win at Barnet.

22 July. JE Trophy match against Spurs (3-1 Connolly, Trialist (Wellens), DJ). Team: Simkin (Cahill, 60), James (Chinedu, 60), Happe (Simpson, 60), Edmonds-Green (Cooper, 60), Clare (Welch, 60), Bakinson (Warrington, 60), El Mizouni (Abdulai, 60), Obiero (O'Keefe, 79), Koroma (Jaiyesimi, 60), Connolly (Wellens (T) 60), Perkins (Mitchell, 60). Video Highlights.

26 July: Friendly at home v Watford (1-1 Bakinson). Team:  Simkin, Adaramola (Chinedu, 78), Happe (Cooper, 78), Edmonds-Green, James (Welch, 86), El Mizouni (Obiero, 66), Bakinson, Koroma (Jaiyesimi, 75), Connolly (Carter, 86), Perkins (Abdulai, 75). The last friendly will be at Waltham Abbey. Video highlights. 

28 July. The previous day Kelman was sold to Charlton for an undisclosed fee. Latest rumour: According to well respected Pete O’Rourke we have won the race to bring in Joe White on loan from Newcastle. Following the Watford match Wellens said there should be two new players by Tuesday 29th. On 15 June 2023, Nkrumah signed for Middlesbrough. An undisclosed fee being agreed to avoid a compensation payment as the player was out of contract. He was released by Boro this summer having played zero games for them. He was loaned to Dagenham and Halifax so the sum total of his adult experience is ten games. He joined Wealdstone. Omar Beckles is our new captain following the retirement of Pratley to manage the U21 side.

Friendly at Waltham Abbey 1-3 (DJ 2, Wellens). Team: Phillips, Welch, Simpson (O'Keefe, 60), Cooper (Anderson, 60), Chinedu, Obiero (Mohamud, 68), White (Trialist, 68), C.Wellens (T), Jaiyesimi (A.Wellens, 81), Hambury, Carter (Trialist, 81). 

 29 July. The death was announce of Mark Lazarus aged 86. This from the club website: In his teenage years, Lazarus enjoyed both football and boxing, inspired by his older brother Lew who fought for the British title at both welterweight and middleweight. After deliberating over both sports, Mark opted for football and signed an amateur contract with the O’s on 7th October 1957. He had reportedly turned down interest from clubs including West Ham and Crystal Palace. 

Two weeks later the winger scored twice on his debut, helping the side to a 3-2 victory away to Charlton in the second round of the London Challenge Cup. On 26th November, Lazarus signed his first professional contract, much to the frustration of former club Barking who had allowed their player to leave on the basis he would not sign a professional contract. After some initial friction, Orient manager Les Gore would eventually mollify the non-league side.

Gore handed Mark his professional debut on 4th January 1958 in an FA Cup game at home to Third Division (South) side Reading; Orient’s Tommy Johnston scored the only goal of the game. Shortly after, Lazarus was conscripted into the army for his national service, while, back at Brisbane Road, former manager Alec Stock returned for a third spell in charge of the club and Gore reverted to his usual role of trainer.

The next season saw Mark make fifteen first team appearances, scoring four goals, prior to the departure of manager Stock in March 1959. He was sometimes watched from the stands by his young nephew, Bobby Fisher, who would follow in his uncle’s footsteps by signing for the O’s and making over three hundred and fifty appearances for the club between 1973 and 1982. 

Les Gore - appointed as Stock’s replacement - neglected to pick Lazarus for a single senior fixture the following campaign, instead attempting to loan him to Millwall in March 1960 for the remainder of the season. However, the Football League refused to sanction the transfer. 

In August, Alec Stock - now manager of Queens Park Rangers - made a joint offer for both Lazarus and fellow O’s forward Peter Burridge, but Orient refused to sell. Gore selected Mark for five of the opening eight matches of the season, but, following further interest from Stock, Lazarus signed for QPR on 16th September. 

He moved to Wolves in 1961, but it would prove an unhappy association for both parties. In early February 1962, new Orient manager Johnny Carey contacted Wolves in attempt to sign Lazarus; at the time, the O’s sat second in the Second Division, chasing a spot in the First Division. On 9th February, Mark attended Orient’s match at home to Preston and spoke to Carey prior to kick-off, but nothing was agreed. Instead, six days later, Carey signed his Wolves teammate Norman Deeley for £12,000; then a record fee for the O’s. 

Two weeks later, Alec Stock re-signed Lazarus for QPR and he spent a further two years at Loftus Road before joining Brentford in 1964. In early October 1965, while still at Brentford, he was again linked with a return to Brisbane Road, with manager Dave Sexton contacting the West London club in an attempt to arrange a transfer. Lazarus was reportedly keen to make the move, explaining it would reduce the time he spent travelling to and from his house at Chadwell Heath. 

However, the transfer did not materialise and he yet again headed to Alec Stock’s QPR. During his third and final spell at the club, Mark helped them to the Third Division title in 1967 and, the same season, scored the winning goal in the League Cup final at Wembley, as QPR came from two goals down to beat First Division side West Bromwich Albion 3-2. 

In December of the same year, Mark joined Crystal Palace, helping them gain promotion into the top tier during the 1968-69 campaign. After a tough start to the following campaign, Lazarus agreed to drop down two divisions, re-signing for former club Orient on 15th October, who were by then managed by his former Brentford teammate Jimmy Bloomfield; the fee amounted to around £7,000. 

Lazarus featured in a 2-0 win at home to Doncaster just three days later. He would miss just three of the remaining twenty-five matches that season, with his seven goals and no-nonsense playing style helping the O’s win the Third Division title. Many of those goals were followed by a lap around all four sides of the ground to celebrate.

He would add a further thirty-six appearances and seven goals to his tally during the next season as the O’s achieved a seventeenth place finish. Jimmy Bloomfield left for Leicester City in the summer of 1971 and was replaced by George Petchey, who had coached Mark during his days at Crystal Palace. 

Petchey continued to feature Lazarus regularly, but released him at the end of the 1971-72 season. He soon rejected an offer from Chelmsford City in an attempt to remain in the Football League, but signed for non-league Folkestone Town in November. Lazarus later played for Ilford, and Wingate and Finchley.

In recent years, Mark enjoyed a return to QPR as a matchday hospitality host. He also found time to return to Brisbane Road on several occasions, including for the fiftieth anniversary of the 1969/70 championship season on 10th October 2021. As well as introducing himself at every table that afternoon, his entertaining speech to the attendees proved one of the highlights of the event.

From the Jewish Telegraph. 

1 August: Warrington signed a two-year deal with Walsall. He started only nine of the 13 matches he played in.

2 August. Away to Huddersfield (3-0). We started as we finished last season - with injuries. Beckles, Mitchell, Craig and El Mizouni all missed this match. We got off to a bad start giving away a goal in the seventh minute. Forum members were not happy with many performances. Stats told the usual story 56% of the play, ten shots but only two on target. 193 passes with 144 accurate and 29 in the backward direction. Perkins only lasted the first half and was replaced by O'Neill. Clare gave away a penalty eight minutes after the restart and that was game over. Tom James sloppiness leads to penalty said one boarder. On 66' wholesale changes were made, off went James, Clare, Bakinson, and Abdulai to be replaced by Simpson, Moorhouse, White and Obiero. We let in a third in the fifth minute of added time. Stats again told the story. 14 shots with three on target, 375 passes of which 50 were backward and 126 forward which means nearly 200 were across the pitch. Compare this to the Terriers 298 in total, 32 backward, 139 forward. Team: Simkin, Adaramola, Happe, Edmonds-Green, James, Bakinson, Clare, Abdulai, Koroma, Connolly, Perkins. Subs: Cahill, Cooper, Moorhouse, O'Neill (Perkins 46), Obiero, Simpson, White. Post match Wellens said "Too slow, pass pass, pass pass, pass pass". Which sums up the stats.

August. Home to Wigan (2-0 own goal, Koroma). Koroma returns home with a goal. We went a goal up on 18' when Koroma's cross was chested past his keeper into the net by Sessegnon. Connolly had two chances in the first half but put both wide. Their nine went down feigning a head injury but then refused treatment. The referee Neil Hair sent him to the touch line anyway. El Mizouni, O'Neill, Beckles and DJ started the game and it was DJ who won the Man-of-the-Match award and his pass set up Koroma to crash the ball into the roof of the net for the second.  Sessegnon continued his nightmare match by being sent off on 85' for bringing down Connolly. White nearly scored from the resulting free kick. Connolly seemed unhappy about being substituted. Beckles and Happe were miserly in defence giving away nothing. Adaramola was lively but I will reserve my judgement on his defensive skills when I have seen more of him. Team: Simkin, Adaramola, Happe, Beckles, James, El Mizouni, Clare, O'Neill, Koroma, Connolly, Jaiyesimi. Subs: Cahill, Simpson, Bakinson(Clare 57), Moorhouse(Connolly 87), Abdulai(Koroma 81), Craig(Jaiyesimi 87), Simpson, White(Adaramola 87). Extended video highlights. BBC report. 

Elswhere Phil Chinedu joined Nkrumah and Georgiou at Wealdstone on at 28-day loan. Hayden Bullas joined Enfield on a season-long loan. Adam Thompson and Lamar Reynolds play for them. 

Season review from Dave Victor. 

12 August. We sign Wellens 22 year-old son Charlie on a short-term contract until January 2026.

12 August. Home to Wycombe Carabao Cup Round 1 (0-1). An own goal in the fourth minute of added time by Simpson meant we exited this cup. Team: Killen, Wellens, REG, Simpson, Clare, White, Bakinson, White, Gordon, Moorhouse, Mitchell, Abdulai. Subs: Simkin, Adaramola(Obiero 69), Carter, Cooper, Hambury, DJ(Gordon 69), O'Neill(Mitchell 68), Obiero(White 59), Perkins(Wellens 74). BBC report. Video highlights. An injury to Obiero meant he would be out 10-12 weeks. 

19 August. Home to Stockport (2-2 Connolly, O'Neill). Poor defending on 29' from Adaramola (his side of the pitch) and Happe (nil marking) led to the first goal. Happe gave away a needless free kick for which he was booked and another header found the net. We started the match unchanged from the last one. But we appeared to be second to every ball until four changes were made on 79'. James was woeful with his free kicks which if they didn't find the keeper they found touch. Connolly dropped deeper and took a header from Clare on the outside of his boot passing to O'Neill. Running at the defence his pass found Connolly. A super first time shot found the corner of the net. James, Adaramola, Clare and Jaiyesimi made way for Craig, Mitchell, Bakinson and Moorhouse. With time running out (fourth minute of added time)   Bakinson's pass beat the offside trap to find O'Neill. Racing clear he found the same corner of the net as Connolly. Their manager was not happy.  Team: Simkin, Adaramola, Happe, Beckles, James, El Mizouni, Clare, O'Neill, Koroma, Connolly, Jaiyesimi. Subs: Cahill, Simpson, Bakinson(Clare 79), Moorhouse(Jaiyesimi 79), Abdulai(El Mizouni 88), Craig(James 79), Mitchell(Adaramola 79). Video highlights. BBC report. 

19 August.  Away to Plymouth (0-1 Koroma). Two changes were made with Craig and Bakinson starting in place of James and Clare. By all accounts not much of a game with Argyle without a clue up front. Connolly was running about as usual and made four shots at goal. Jaiyesimi made a couple of howlers in front of goal. It took 63' to beat the offside trap when O'Neill hooked a pass over his left shoulder to Koroma. He allowed the ball to bounce before hitting it first time into the far corner of the net. Happe was booked for the second game on the bounce and Simkin for time wasting. Team: Simkin, Adaramola, Happe, Beckles, Craig, El Mizouni, Bakinson, O'Neill, Koroma, Connolly, Jaiyesimi. Subs: Cahill, Simpson(Bakinson 90), Clare(Koroma 79), Moorhouse, Abdulai(O'Neill 91), James(Adaramola 79), Mitchell(Jaiyesimi 64). Video highlights. A closer look. BBC report. On a forum redintheface had the same opinion as me "Adamarola remains good going forward but an accident waiting to happen defensively."  Post interview Wellens said we was still waiting on a forward but being in the Carabao Cup was holding it up.

23 August. Away to Mansfield (4-1 Koroma). Only one change that of Moorhouse for Jaiyesimi. Their Evans hit the bar after 11 Minutes. We went a goal down four minutes later to a 45+ yard shot from over he half way line with caught Simkin way off his line. Despite 60.5% of the play we went further behind on 29'. Eight minutes later we got one back from a O'Neill corner via Koroma's head. On 57' four substitutions were made and two minutes later the Stags went further into the lead. Five miutes later El Mizouni was sent off for a second bookable offence which was totally avoidable. Possession down to 60.1%. In the fifth minute of added time they got a fourth. Team: Simkin, Adaramola, Happe, Beckles, Craig, El Mizouni, Bakinson, O'Neill, Koroma, Connolly, Moorhouse. Subs: Cahill, Simpson(Happe  57), White(Koroma 70), Jaiyesimi, Abdulai(Moorhouse 57), James(Craig 57), Mitchell(Adaramola 57). Video highlights. BBC report. Football Web Pages - facts at a glance. Wellens post Mansfield said four or five players were fatigued and did not own up to it. They were protecting their place and not giving their colleagues a chance to play. Not happy with the sending off, a poor decision to tackle a player 75 yards from goal. Travelling to Plymouth was no excuse as they do it twice a month.

What of our ex O's? Duke-McKenna put one past Hemmings where the commentator suggested Zach may have thought he should have done better. Smith did his ACL and would be out for a year but Drinan put Swindon on the road to a win with a goal. The other Smyth left the bench on 62' as QPR lost 7-1 in Coventry. Kelman came on for the last 15' as Charlton lost in south London. Galbraith got an assist for Swansea. Currie didn't leave the bench for Oxford. Keeley kept a clean sheet for Luton. Neither Sotiriou or Forde made the bench for Bristol Rovers against Brophy and Ball's Cambridge. Brown's Blackpool lost at Plymouth. Sanders hit the "woodwork" for Crewe as they went down at Gillingham. Warrington lasted 58' for Walsall.

26 August. Salford signed Cooper on a two-year deal.

On the Leyton Orient forum a border listed centre forwards we might be interested in 1. Gatlin O’Donkor (Oxford), 2. Harry Leonard (Blackburn), 3. Matt Stevens (AFC Wimbledon), 4. Kevin Nisbet (Millwall), 5. Dom Ballard ( Southampton).  We will see.

30 August. Home to Northampton (0-1). Wellens was not impressed and used the words "Poor, too many backpasses, too slow, poor decision making" in his post match video. No El Mizouni as he was suspended and Bakingson did not seem a good replacement. There were far too many "safe" passes, mainly across and back. O'Neill and Koroma need to stick to the white line running down both sides of the pitch and maybe they would get the ball more. Poor passing, Connelly didn't get a decent ball all match. Team: Simkin, Adaramola, Happe, Beckles, James, Clare, Bakinson, O'Neill, Koroma, Connolly, Jaiyesimi. Subs: Cahill, REG, Wellens(Bakinson 78), Moorhouse(Jaiyesimi 59), Abdulai(Moorhouse 57),Craig(Adaramola 72, Mitchell(O'Neill 72). Video highlights. BBC report. Match facts at a glance Football Web Pages

Rumours on the striker increased when Wellens admitted we needed another 3-4 players but the budget would only stretch to one who was at the match. The previously mentioned Dom Ballard and Luton's 30 year-old Cauley Woodrow were apparently favourites. Woodrow joined Wycombe on loan.

2 September. Away to Peterborough EFL Trophy (1-3 Wellens, Moorhouse, Craig). Three début goals. Abdulia was sent off for violent conduct on 26' but Wellens struck a fine 30 yard free kick to put us in the lead eight minutes later. Posh drew level two minutes into added time. Moorhouse, who was Talksport2's player of the match so far, made it two on 57'. Talksport2 were also impressed by Perkins, Simpson and REG. A counter attack lead to a pass from Koroma being fired home to make it three by Craig. Team: Cahill, Mitchell, Craig, Simpson, REG, El Mizouni, Moorhouse, Wellens, Abdulai, Perkins, Ballard. Subs: Phillips, James(Wellens 67), Clare(Ballard 46), Bakinson(Mitchell 78), O'Neill(Moorhouse 63), Koroma(Perkins 63), Adaramola. Video highlights a closer look.  Match facts at a glance Football Web Pages That result didn't help Posh as they had just one point from six league matches.

In the post match interview Wellens reported that White would be out another 2-3 weeks and Lloyd until November.

6 September. Away to Port Vale (2-3 Connolly, Ballard, Wellens). Four début goals in four days. We went a goal down on seven minutes with a poor header halfway up the field by Beckles and indecision from James plus a lack of marking in the middle. Cahill played as Simkin was on international duty, so maybe was Adaramola. It only took us five minutes to get level when Ballard won the ball back and a through ball found O'Neill. His pass found Koroma but his cross was blocked but nicely found the feet of Connolly to score his second goal of the season. O'Neill had the ball in the net but was adjudged to have fouled the keeper. Ballard scored his début goal a minute before half time. Again Koroma was involved as he out-muscled a defender to cross for Ballard to tap in. Cahill needs to learn to palm the ball out rather than back into play which he did twice but did so on 52' but the ball hit the post and back into play where our defence were slow to react and Vale equalised. Connolly pinched the ball back and "the player with the best pedigree on the pitch" according to the Sky commentator, found Koroma. Wellens ran from behind him and slotted the ball into the net on the fifth minute of added time. "They haven't had a kick this second half" said the commentator of us. Which apparently was echoed by most who saw the match. Team: Cahill, James, Happe, Beckles, El Mizouni, Craig, Moorhouse, O'Neill, Koroma, Connolly, Ballard. Subs: Phillips, Perkins, Wellens(Ballard 79),Simpson(Beckles 59), REG(James 59), Abdulai, Clare(Moorhouse 69), Mitchell(O'Neill 69). Video highlights. BBC report. Match facts at a glance Football Web Pages. 

Pigott has signed for Folkestone Invicta. Rhys Byrne is at Hornchurch. Randall Williams is still without a club. Drinan scored again for Swindon who are now top of League Two. Ollie Palmer was signed by Swindon from Wrexham to replace Harry Smith who is out for the season. Smith also played for Folkestone Invicta as did Sammy Moore, Stuart Nelson and Lee Shearer.     

In contract:

Richie Wellens signed a three-year deal 20 June 2025.

Paul Terry signed a three-year contract July 3 2024.

Alan McCormack signed a contract in June 2024.

Players

Archibald signed a one-year contract till 2025. To continue rehabilitation with the club. 

Graham Signed August 2023. Contract expired summer 2025. To continue rehabilitation with the club. 

Ollie Neill signed January 2024 contract expires summer 2026.

Zech Obiero signed a two-year contract April 2024 therefore expires 2026.

Diallang Jaiyesimi signed July 2024 on a two-year deal = 2026.

Tom James signed a two year contract June 2024. Out of contract 2026.

Happe June 2024 signed a two-year contract which means it lasts to 2026.

Clare signed a three-year contract. Expires July 2027.

Edmonds-Green signed a two and a half year deal February 2025.

Perkins signed a two and a half year deal February 2025.

Cahill signed a two-year contract June 2025.

Simpson signed a one-year contract that ends June 2026. 

Mitchell signed a two-year contract June 2025.

Phillips signed a two-year contract June 2025 so till 2027.

Beckles June 2025 a two-year contract expires summer 2027.

Makai Welch a one-year contract expires June 2026.

Michael Craig signed a two-year contract July 2025.

El Mizouni signed a three-year contract July 2025.

Aaron Connolly signed a two-year contract July 2025.

Tyreeq Bakinson signed a three-year contract 11 July 2025.

Josh Koroma signed a three-year contract 16 July 2025.

Lemar Gordon signed a two-year contract with a years option 4 August 2025.

Charlie Wellens signed a contract until January 2026.

Dom Ballard joined in August 2025 signing a three-year contract with a years option.