Leyton Orient
Saturday 27th August 2011 KO 3pm
Capacity: 9,271
Address: Brisbane Road, Leyton, London, E10 5NF
Main Telephone No: 020-8926-1111
Ticket Office: 020-8926-1010
Team Nickname: The O’s
Year Ground Opened: 1937
Pitch Size: 115 x 80 yards
Home Kit Colours: Red & Black
Website: www.leytonorient.com
Fan site: www.orientsupporters.org
Meeting Place
The Birkbeck Tavern, Langthorne Road, E11 4HL, Tel: 020-8539-2584
Tucked away on the backstreets of Leyton, this friendly East London boozer has long been a London Branch favourite. Serves a decent range of real ales including the house bitter ‘Rita’s Special’, has a good sized beer garden, and a pool table. Food is limited to sangers and pork scratchings but there are plenty of scran options between the pub and ground. Well behaved children are allowed in.
Other Boozers and Food Outlets Worth a Visit
Coach and Horses, 391 High Road, Leyton, London, E10 5NA Tel: 020 8988 9961
Closest pub to the ground, away fan friendly and allows children. An alright pub but always packed on matchdays, and as a result it can take a while to get served.
Leyton Orient Supporters’ Club
CAMRA listed supporters' club with around 6 real ales available. Probably a great place but we’re never sure whether they let away fans in en masse so generally stick to the Birkbeck.
There are a few shops, fast food spots and cafes on Leyton High Road. There are however no banks anywhere. Go to the ATM before arriving in Leyton.
Food but not alcohol is available inside the ground. The locals seem to be proud of the Chicken Balti pies which, while tasty, are much like the chicken Balti pies available at most other grounds.
Supporters' Football
Once again footie captain Chris Tembey will be organising a supporters’ match on the morning of the game against an Orient supporters’ team. If you would like to participate or just come along and watch please email Chris at football@carlislelondonbranch.org.
How To Get There
By Tube
The Tube is by far the best option for getting to Brisbane Road. The nearest tube station is Leyton on the central line about a 1/4 of a mile away. To get to the ground head out of the station and turn right down Leyton High Road. Cross over the road to the other side and continue down it. You will come to Coronation Gardens on your left and the floodlights of the ground can be clearly seen behind them. Take the next left past the gardens into Buckingham Road for the ground.
If heading to the Birkbeck, do a left out the station and left again up Calderon Road. Carry on for about 250 meters and turn left into Frith Road, then right onto Langthorne road and the pub will be front of you.
At present there are happily no planned engineering works on the Central Line the weekend of the 27th of August. For up to date travel info check out the TFL website.
By Car & Where To Park
Driving into London is a pain and parking involves finding a spot on the streets round Leyton so our advice is don’t bother and get the tube.
If you do wish to drive, directions can be found on the official Leyton Orient Site.
What’s the Ground Like?
Originally known as Osborne road, Brisbane road has been the home of Leyton Orient since 1937. The ground has been extensively renovated in the last decade or so and new stands have been built on the North, West and South sides of the stadium while the corners have been filled with blocks of flats. Away fans are location in the East Stand which is the one section of the ground which hasn’t been redeveloped. The view can be obstructed by the supporting pillars but it’s not too difficult to get a seat with a decent view if you turn up a bit before kickoff. Compared to the rest of the stadium the East Stand is a little old fashioned and run down but it also has a nice traditional charm about it. Many of the seats are wooden (don’t expect your seat to spring back up when you stand to celebrate a goal) and the banter with the home fans is usually lively yet good natured. Despite being in one of the less salubrious parts of East London, trips to Orient are generally very enjoyable and friendly.
When Have We Been There Before?
In recent years we’ve had the pleasure of a trip to Leyton quite a few times. Apart from our single season in the non-league Carlisle have played in the same division as Orient for the last 12 years. While we haven’t lost at Brisbane road since December 2002 we haven’t won too many either. In 22 games away at Orient we have only won 3 of them, the last being an excellent 3-0 victory in March 2008. Thankfully being philosophical types London Branch members don’t get too unhappy with a point away from home which is just as well. If you like a punt we suggest you stick a fiver on the draw. Six of our last seven visits have ended all square.