retired_hvporter

Hurrah! Promotion! Nice one, Maverick. KUTGW - one of the best stories for a long time.

retired_blondie_524

Thanks Gav!

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6-0-6 Radio 5 Live

“Well, lets go to line one and talk to David from Leyton. David I suppose you’re a West Ham fan wanting to talk about their great win today?”

Alan, it’s David Dodd, I’m on my way back from Stevenage.”

“You’re a Leyton Orient fan then? Don’t get many of them! You won promotion today you should be happy?”

Yes, I’m the chairman of the supporters club. We were magnificent today Alan. No one could have lived with us! And I’d like to thank Roberto Loughnane for the way he’s turned the club round and I hope he stays with us for many a year to come.
Nobody gave us the slightest chance of going up but Roberto’s proved them all wrong, he’s the best we’ve had for years. He’s the …..”

“Yes thank you David for that. Now let’s go to Mike in Exeter who’s got far more important issues to raise about Man. United.”


Sky Sports News – 8.05 p.m. 18th April 2009

“And I’m delighted to say we’ve got Barry Hern, chairman of Leyton Orient who were promoted today, on the phone. Hello Barry you must be very pleased?”

“Hello Rob, I am over the moon. At the start of the season the board and I sat down and worked out various scenarios and not one of them featured promotion. We’re all well made up over it and the fans are too.”

“So what do you put it down to?”

It’s this Loughnane geezer ain’t it? Ling had c**ked it up and we ad to send ‘im packing and my people said try this Loughnane geezer. Well I remember ‘im at TNS and in Europe but my people said e’s been larging it up in China and Italy, been doing well everywhere by all accounts, he was free so we giv’it a shot like. Now I love ‘im like my baby brov! Turned us right round, wheeled and dealed, got us a few diamonds. Spent loads of dosh though.”

“Money’s a bit tight down at East London we hear?”

Well, we ‘and out loads to these players each week and I ain’t made of money! Now we gotta find even more for next season in League One and we only got just over 2 or 3 thou here at Brisbane Road most weeks. Somefinks gotta add up, less cash or more fans, all summer to work that out Rob.”

“I hope you do Barry. Something tells me there’s going to be one hell of a party down that end of London tonight.”



Evening Standard – Monday 20th April 2009

The O’s in League One
by Lyseden Christie, the famous Orient player

I couldn’t believe it when I saw my beloved O’s were going up. Not one of us expected it down the Dog and Duck. Wouldn’t have happened while I was playing, we was always in the pub ‘aving a laugh. I spoke to Roberto Loughnane at the promotion party at the club and said “you’d better hang around for a while, you’re great.” He just smiled at me, mind you I was in me cups if you know wora mean. Said he reckoned most of the players were capable of stepping up a level too! All B****cks if you ask me.

retired_blondie_524

Wednesday 22nd April 2009

Chelsea's 1-0 win in Turin sees them through to the Champions League final with a 3-1 aggregate win over Juventus. There they'll meet Real Madrid who knocked out Manchester United 1-0 on aggregate after their 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

Thursday 24th April 2009

Newcastle's 2-1 win over Lazio at St James' Park give them a place in the UEFA Cup final thanks to a narrow 4-3 aggregate win. Sporting Lisbon won the other semi-final on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate score with Basël.

Friday 24th April 2009

Tomorrow's game at Brisbane Road against bottom placed Mansfield is a strange one as it has no meaning for us. I was going to make wholesale changes but on reflection I don't think that would be fair on the other sides battling it out against relegation from the Football League.

Saturday 25th April - League Two
Leyton Orient v Mansfield Town

In the end I decide to give John Hartson a start in his final game before he retires and Gardner returns from injury in place of Hand. Gabriel Zakuani gets a first start of the season partnering Robinson in defense as a reward for persistently whining about a first team place. Matt Lockwood comes in as left back for his 400th career appearance in a game if we win will be our tenth straight win.
Mansfield are fighting for their Football League life and push us back early on but it is a poor half for both sides who both fail to register a single shot on goal in the first half.
John Hartson takes the applause for the last time as a player as he's withdrawn for Ameobi in the 55th minute. No one steps up and the match ends a dire 0-0 draw.
I try to console the Mansfield lads after the game as they slump to the ground knowing they're out of the League but it doesn't sound too good coming from someone who's just been promoted.
Leyton 0-0 Mansfield
Att 4,278

Both Peterborough and MK Dons won to pull away from us but Chester slump to another defeat, 2-0 at home to Darlington. Mansfield and Stevenage fill the relegation spots.

My scouts think that the Stevenage keeper would do a good job for us despite conceding 90 goals. He kept three clean sheets and maybe with a decent defense in front of him he might be the man. I'm still waiting for David James decision on his retirement at the moment but with Stevenage relegated there might be a bargain to be picked up.

retired_jessicabraden

Excellent read. Glad your back home, bet you were sick and tired of those takeaways.

You've turned the club around you gunning for double promotion. :thup:

retired_blondie_524

Thanks Leo

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Friday 1st May 2009

I picked up my second consecutive Manager of the Month Award today. Barry Hern called me up today to say that the recent board meeting had asked him to pass on their gratitude to me and to tell me how very pleased they are with my performance.

Wednesday 6th May 2009

Newcastle take the lead in the UEFA Cup final but Sporting equalise in
the second half and go on to win the cup 2-0 in a penalty shootout..

Saturday 9th May 2009

Arsenal are denied the double as their North London rivals Tottenham beat them 2-1 in the FA Cup final while Barnet win 2-1 at Carlisle in the first leg of their playoff semi.
David James has decided to stand by his decision to retire at the end of the season.

Sunday 10th May 2009

Chester win 3-1 at Oldham in their playoff semi 1st leg.

Wednesday 13th May 2009

The League Two playoff final will be between Barnet and Chester after Barnet eliminate Carlisle 3-2 on aggregate and Chester beat Oldham 4-3 on aggregate.

In the UEFA Champions League final Chelsea beat Real Madrid 2-0 with goals from Drogba and Lampard in Brondby.

Friday 15th May 2009

After agreeing a fee of £20,000 with Stevenage I reach an agreement on £1,500 a week wages for keeper Lee Robinson who will join the O's in the next transfer window.

Sunday 24th May 2009

Chester grab the final promotion berth by beating Barnet in the League Two playoff final at Wembley. Jonny Howson scores both Chester goals in a 2-1 win.

retired_blondie_524

Final Coca Cola League Two Table 2008-2009

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Peterborough | | 46 | 28 | 8 | 10 | 74 | 40 | +34 | 92 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | P | MK Dons | | 46 | 24 | 13 | 9 | 79 | 49 | +30 | 85 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | P | LEYTON ORIENT | | 46 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 75 | 45 | +30 | 81 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | P | Chester | | 46 | 19 | 16 | 11 | 60 | 50 | +10 | 73 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Barnet | | 46 | 20 | 11 | 15 | 74 | 68 | +6 | 71 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Carlisle | | 46 | 21 | 8 | 17 | 64 | 59 | +5 | 71 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Oldham | | 46 | 20 | 10 | 16 | 69 | 57 | +12 | 70 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Port Vale | | 46 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 72 | 64 | +8 | 70 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Rushden | | 46 | 19 | 10 | 17 | 66 | 66 | 0 | 67 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Wrexham | | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 60 | 50 | +10 | 64 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Stockport | | 46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 64 | 61 | +3 | 64 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Bury | | 46 | 18 | 9 | 19 | 66 | 77 | -11 | 63 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Scunthorpe | | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 73 | 65 | +8 | 62 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Chesterfield | | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 67 | 64 | +3 | 61 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Torquay | | 46 | 17 | 9 | 20 | 61 | 68 | -7 | 60 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Darlington | | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 54 | 56 | -2 | 58 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Woking | | 46 | 15 | 11 | 20 | 68 | 75 | -7 | 56 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Grimsby | | 46 | 15 | 10 | 21 | 54 | 57 | -3 | 55 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Macclesfield | | 46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 55 | 69 | -14 | 54 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Cambridge | | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 53 | 70 | -17 | 53 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Exeter | | 46 | 14 | 9 | 23 | 50 | 71 | -21 | 51 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Aldershot | | 46 | 12 | 12 | 22 | 57 | 83 | -26 | 48 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | R | Stevenage | | 46 | 12 | 12 | 22 | 54 | 80 | -26 | 48 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | R | Mansfield | | 46 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 54 | 79 | -25 | 46 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Final Player Stats

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pkd | Inf | Name | Apps | Gls | Ast | MoM | Pas | Tck | Drb | Sh T | Av Rat| | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Hol | Stuart Richardson | 36 (2) | 24 | 9 | 5 | 67% | 0.41 | 1.94 | 53% | 7.21 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | S5 | Inj | Tomi Ameobi | 20 (4) | 6 | 1 | - | 69% | 0.62 | 1.37 | 50% | 6.42 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | FC | Hol | Marc Walton | 12 (2) | 6 | 3 | 2 | 75% | 0.39 | 1.77 | 71% | 6.93 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | ML | Hol | Brian Howard | 48 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 71% | 1.24 | 3.40 | 44% | 7.02 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | FC | Hol | John Hartson | 6 (11) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 74% | 0.52 | 1.57 | 70% | 7.12 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | MC | Hol | Ross Gardner | 37 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 78% | 2.94 | 1.44 | 41% | 7.05 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | S3 | Hol | Chris Sedgwick | 33 (12) | 3 | 5 | 1 | 63% | 1.16 | 4.45 | 21% | 6.69 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Hol | Marco Milton | 3 (3) | 2 | - | - | 77% | - | 1.59 | 50% | 6.33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | MR | Hol | Luigi Di Bonito | 16 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 71% | 1.85 | 2.63 | 50% | 7.19 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Hol | Barry Fuller | 26 (4) | 1 | 5 | - | 81% | 7.07 | 0.37 | 5% | 6.97 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DC | Hol | Paul Robinson | 39 (3) | 1 | - | 5 | 76% | 6.38 | 0.12 | - | 7.02 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | S4 | Hol | Tommy Black | 1 (5) | 1 | - | 1 | 65% | 0.43 | 3.43 | - | 6.17 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DL | Hol | Matt Lockwood | 7 (2) | 1 | - | - | 80% | 4.53 | 2.34 | - | 6.89 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Hol | Majed Al-Haj | 3 (2) | 1 | - | - | 82% | - | 1.04 | 62% | 6.60 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | S1 | Hol | Euan McLean | 12 | - | - | 1 | 58% | - | - | - | 6.75 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | S2 | Hol | Graham Low | 38 (3) | - | 4 | 3 | 78% | 4.75 | 0.28 | - | 7.20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Hol | Michael Gillan | 18 | - | 5 | - | 69% | 3.22 | 0.83 | - | 7.33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | MC | Hol | Adnan Ahmed | 18 (1) | - | - | 1 | 72% | 2.50 | 0.51 | 23% | 7.26 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DC | Hol | Gabriel Zakuani | 1 | - | - | - | 75% | 1.00 | - | - | 7.00 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | GK | Hol | David James | 21 | - | - | - | 70% | - | - | - | 7.52 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DR | Hol | Mathieu Louis-Jean | 22 (2) | - | 1 | - | 66% | 3.43 | 0.97 | - | 7.17 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_blondie_524

SEASON 2008 - 2009 ROUND-UP

Barclays Premier

Winners - Arsenal
Runners-Up - Liverpool

Relegated - Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Birmingham.

Coca-Cola Championship

Winners - Blackburn
Promoted - Cardiff (auto), West Ham (P/O)

Relegated - Wolves, Q.P.R., Hull

Coca-Cola League One

Winners - Bolton
Promoted - Crewe (auto), Millwall (P/O)

Relegated - Bournemouth, Plymouth, Reading, Barnsley

Coca-Cola League Two

Winners - Peterborough
Promoted - MK Dons, Leyton Orient (auto), Chester (P/O)

Relegated - Stevenage, Mansfield

Conference National

Winners - Wycombe
Promoted - Accrington Stanley (P/O)

Relegated - Bognor Regis, Gateshead, Burscough, Dorchester.

INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Wales - TNS

Scotland - Celtic

Italy - Roma

France - Monaco

Belguim - Anderlecht

retired_perilousfaith

This was a great read, mate
Always fun with people who want to try new leagues (China), and succeed even there

KUTVGW! :thup:

retired_blondie_524

Thanks for the support Flying_Fin

retired_blondie_524

18th June 2009

The squad are all away on their off season and I am alone in my office. The question I'm pondering is "What is this squad going to do in League One?" With the wages £12,000 a week over budget there's not going to be much for new players.
I'm happy as to where we're at with the goalkeepers. I think Euan McLean and Lee Robinson have what it takes to be one of the top duos in the division.
In defense my centre back pairing of Graham Low and Paul Robinson will definitely be able to handle their own in our new league and of their back-ups, Gabriel Zakuani whines too much and I don't believe he can make the step up. Craig Sives will be an adequate replacement but a bit slow. Left back Michael Gillian will be OK and I have some belief in right back Barry Fuller but Matt Lockwood and Mathieu Louis-Jean are over the hill and need replacing.
Wingers Luigi Di Bonito, Chris Sedgwick and Brian Howard are competent but only Sedgwick has any pace. Ross Gardner will do well but Adnan Ahmed has not shown as much as I hoped from him.
Stuart Richardson will score in League One but lacks pace, Marco Milton and Marc Walton need to step up and shoulder responsibility, they have the tools to be quality players but are not yet showing the consistency.

So I need some squad full backs, a pacey winger, a creative midfielder and a No.2 striker just for starters. Not much of a shopping list given the state of the wage bill.