The Fall and Rise of Leyton Orient by Simon Cooper

THE FALL AND RISE OF LEYTON ORIENT

The Fairytale Revival of One of Football's Oldest Clubs

By Simon Cooper

Hardcover: 240 pages     Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd (29 July 2024)

ISBN-10: ‎ 1801506868   ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1801506861   RRP: £19.99

From play-off heartbreak and double relegation to the verge of bankruptcy and the depths of the National League, The Fall and Rise Of Leyton Orient is the story of a community who fought back.

It's the story of a club saved by a lifelong fan then an inspirational manager, Justin Edinburgh, who took them back into the Football League as champions; of heartbreak when five weeks later Edinburgh died at the age of 49; then of a club rebuilt again, winning another title with a new manager looking for a home, Richie Wellens.

It's an inspiring story of larger-than-life characters who made a difference for good or bad – players, fans, owners and charlatans. It's also a tale of religion, redemption, triumph and tragedy – a football story like no other.

Relive key matches over an extraordinary decade through the eyes of the fans and players who were there, through protests and pitch invasions, celebrations and power cuts, as Orient fight their way back with two league titles and promotion back to League One.

The book features:

·      The definitive account of how Francesco Becchetti bought the club from Barry Hearn and the subsequent catastrophic mismanagement that left Orient in the National League and on the verge of bankruptcy

·      The extraordinary story of Justin Edinburgh's reign as manager, and his tragic death at the age of 49, just weeks after winning the National League

·      Exclusive interviews with the people who were there, from Barry Hearn and Jobi McAnuff to Richie Wellens, Nigel Travis and Kent Teague

·      Martin Ling’s inspiring battle back from depression and rehab, and how he not only saved Leyton Orient, but Leyton Orient saved him

·      The view from inside the changing room and on the training pitch from players and staff, including Dan Happe, Darren Pratley and John Terry

·      An in-depth interview with Ross Embleton and the breakdown in his relationship with the man who saw him as another son, Martin Ling

·      Eyewitness accounts and revealing stories from club staff and journalists including Matt Porter, Ada Martin and Dave Victor

Simon Cooper is a writer, broadcaster and Leyton Orient season-card holder who is a regular on The Orient Hour. A former Dave and BBC Radio 1 producer, today he works as a social media professional and has been in the sector since it was called new media. He grew up supporting Manchester United until his mate took him to Leyton Orient at the age of 14 and told him you could buy a season ticket for £10.