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Sorry Leyton Orient, I need better football to warm a cold January night

Sportingo director Ze'ev Rozov posted a request for advice on which team to support in London. The response was massive, especially from Os fans, so he went to Brisbane Road this week to experience real football. What he got was more cold face than coal face.

by Ze'ev Rozov on 10 January 2008

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Sean Thornton (R): Gone with the wind? (gettyimages.com)

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I recently moved to London and posted an article asking your opinions on which team I should support.

The response was fantastic, especially from Leyton Orient supporters who urged me to come see a game at Brisbane Road and experience real English football. It took me longer than I expected to make it to a match but finally, this week, on a freezing January night, I was among the 3,500 faithful to watch Orient play Tranmere Rovers.

Anyone willing to watch League One football on such a night deserves a New Year's honour from the Queen. (Sorry Os' fans, the second goal was down to the wind guiding Sean Thornton's speculative shot into the net rather than its original destination of the bacon counter in Lea Mills Asda).

'The second goal was down to the wind guiding Sean Thornton's speculative shot into the net rather than its original destination of the bacon counter in Lea Mills Asda'

It is very difficult for a fan to change the colour of the team he supports. I grew up supporting Maccabi Tel Aviv (blue and yellow), with our rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv (how I hate typing that name) wearing red. So having to support the Os in red required more than a spoonful of the half-time sugar in the tea to help the medicine go down.

As for the match itself, I agree that this was English football at its most raw, craning your neck to get a view of the ball in the air, Os keeper Stuart Nelson wandering round the area (and beyond) like a chap who has won the lottery but has lost his ticket, and a referee who required confirmation of risk to life and limb before calling a foul (not to mention the ubiquitous aimless hacks upfield).

The Orient fans were very welcoming, and the atmosphere was friendly, but I think I will need to keep searching for a team which can provide me with a stronger motivation to come out on a cold winter night.

I'll watch out for the Os. They are not going to win any silverware this year (or this decade) but their fans are totally dedicated and I salute them. My search for a London team goes on. Any more offers?

Comments (14)

by Martin on January 11, 2008

Thornton meant that shot all the way.

by Daniel Roper on January 11, 2008

If you don't like real football then so be it. Go and have some prawn sarnies in the premiership. You will not be greatly missed but keep an eye out for us as we continue to grow.

by Sailtie on January 11, 2008

Thanks for coming to the O's and for your kind(?) observations. We cant do anything about the weather I'm afraid but supporting us is always a great heart wrenching experience. I've followed the O's since my Dad took me in 1950 and there is not an emotion known to man that I havent experienced as a result. Oh yes, we used to play in blue then too. Hang around long enough and it might happen.

by Andy on January 11, 2008

"Knob" HTH

by jonny on January 11, 2008

no prizes for guessing were hell end up, watching the so called best league in the world....with fulham and derby in it?...do me a favour

by Pete on January 11, 2008

Continue to follow Maccabi Tel Aviv - what an idiot. Knob.

by JF on January 11, 2008

I am sorry but how naive are you? You don't go to watch a league one game and expect free flowing football, thats not what league football is about. Getting behind your team, real support, turning up whatever the weather, what ever time of year to sing, shout, stamp, hurl abuse and chant. You sir are wool, a fair weather fan who doesn't deserve to step inside a football ground.

by GoochDogHighFives on January 11, 2008

So you didn't enjoy it because : 1) It was a bit cold. 2) You don't like the colours Orient wear. 3) It was a bit physical and the ref didn't call enough fouls. Fair enough, mate. Can I suggest you go and support Stonewall F.C.?

by David Usher on January 11, 2008

to take this opportunity to annouce my love to yoshi

by Pinacolado on January 11, 2008

Clearly the same as Jesus Spice ie a wind up for effect with no real substance or basis for his comments. It was not freezing, it was coldish, so what?

by Adz on January 11, 2008

You really only have 2 choices in this country: Arsenal or Man Utd. If you're not going to support one of those, you might as well support your local team, as the quality of football in the rest of England is much of a muchness. But, supporting a team like Leyton Orient is as much about the friends you meet than the success we attain. But when there is some success it is all the more sweeter.

by William Moriarty on January 12, 2008

I am an American. I saw my first Orient game ten years ago on the night I landed in the UK. It was in a driving rain storm against Torquay. I loved the atmosphere, the fact that Orient fans and Orient are one and the same. I am sorry the quality on offer was not good enough for you. I suggest you take a trip to an away game. Orient support on the road (given the average crowd of 4000 or so at Brisbane Road) is fantastic. Please don't chose one of the "glamour" teams in League One.

by JahWobble on January 12, 2008

Freezing??? I couldn't believe how mild it was for this time of year. Where's your spine man?? - Go to Arsenal you'll fit in fine there.

by Dunners on January 12, 2008

seen as every other user from the Orient message boards are. It was a bit nippy, so you are right. Best go and watch another team. We'll do fine without you. Bye.