Leyton Orient 05.11.11

HOW TO GET THERE

CAR
Head for the M11 take the southbound carriageway for about 6 miles and take the right fork signposted for the North Circular.

At the bottom of the flyover where the roads merge, move into the left-hand lane and turn left at the roundabout on to the A104. After about 1 mile at the next roundabout take the right exit - still the A104 (a landmark here is the quaintly-decorated Lamb's Cafe). Half a mile further on, turn left into Leyton Green Road (signposted to Leyton and Stratford), and left again into a short slip-road past the bus garage entrance and left into Leyton High Road - you'll see the Leyton Leisure Lagoon opposite as you wait to make the turn. Continue until you see the floodlights and then find a side turning to park in the back-streets.

PARKING
As mentioned above look for street parking as there are no other facilities in the general area.

TRAIN/TUBE
Leyton Tube Station is the nearest to the ground and takes about 10 minutes to walk. Turn right as you come out of the station and follow the main road until you see the floodlights on your left. Then walk up Buckingham Road for the away turnstiles.

Leyton Midland Road is the nearest train station, and this is a bit further to walk. As you leave the station turn left and follow Leyton High road until you see the ground.

PUBS/FOOD
Leyton is not blessed with many good pubs for pre-match pint near to the ground and you may find yourself having to wander round some backstreets for a bit of refreshment.

Here are your options;

Coach & Horses- Well known away friendly pub that is a goal-kick away from the away turnstiles. It’s just past the ground on the Leyton High road as you walk from Leyton Station. The pub is quite large and has a typical local feel to it, its neither posh or particularly scruffy! This pub has always been popular with Poolies but prices can be hih and they can never decide whether its a good idea or not to have Sky Sports.

Northcote- A sports friendly pub that is a short walk from Leyton Tube Station. As you leave the station turn right then take your 2nd right hand turn into Grove Green Road. Follow this road and you will see the pub on the left. This pub has 2 bars and gets a few Orient fans in before the game. We have used this pub in the past and had a great time watching a live game on Sky Sports, however last season the pub had gone severley downhill and had a real air of gloom about it.

Leyton Orient Supporters Club- This is located in the back of the West Stand, which is the stand that towers over the rest of the ground. They allow small groups of well-behaved away fans to drink in here and the place has a fantastic reputation for its beers and friendly service. They also win a lot of awards, particularly from CAMRA.

King Harold- Busy match-day pub that is located on the left as you leave Leyton Tube Station. This pub does not have a great reputation for its range and quality of beers, and is more convenient than anything else.

Birkbeck Tavern- This pub has a great reputation, especially for its range and quality of ales, although it is not particularly easy to find despite only being a 10 minute walk from the tube station. As you exit Leyton tube turn left away from the ground. Follow the path for 20 yards and there is a gap in the railings with steps leading down to the road below. At the bottom of the steps turn left and follow Station Road as it straightens up parallel with the tube line (behind a row of houses), and at the end of the road follow it to the right as it joins up with Langthorne Road. You should have a high brick wall on the left hand side, behind which is a graveyard. The Birkbeck is on the left 200 yards down Langthorne Road and can be seen from a distance. They sell a range of sandwiches/rolls and the pub is quite popular amongst home fans.

There are a huge amount of international takeaways and café’s along Leyton High Road, in fact most nationalities and cultures are catered for. Unfortunately though I am yet to come across one that serves a decent portion of chips and some have a terrible reputation. The one nearest to the Coach & Horses pub, on your left as you walk from the tube station comes into this category. We got a bag or poor quality chips on one visit and every steward stopped us to check that we had not bought any chicken from there as we would be ill! I will let you judge for yourself.

GROUND- Capacity 9,271
The Matchroom Stadium, or Brisbane Road to the rest of us, is all-seated and has changed dramatically over the years and although it is not to everyone’s liking, it is certainly original. Away fans have been housed in the Main Stand along one side of the pitch, which is a decent sized traditional style stand with a cover over it. The facilities are basic, but fans can make a huge amount of noise in here without too much effort, especially when they bang the wooden seats! 1,469 Seats are allocated to away fans and there are home fans located to the right in the same stand, but there is never any more than banter between the two.

Opposite the away fans is the rather unusual West Stand, which only seats 2,872, but is huge in construction. It has a large back to the stand, which houses 3 rows of corporate hospitality, directors and other important people. There is also the TV Gantry above these. I have never seen a stand similar to this and it gets mixed ratings in terms of looks, but houses very good facilities.

To the left of the away fans is the South (Tommy Johnson) Stand, which houses 1,336 of the more vocal home fans. It is small, simple stand that is raised above pitch level at the front.

The North Stand to the right looks very similar to the South Stand, but is not raised at the front. This is a family stand and houses 1,351 fans.

The ground also has blocks of flats built into each corner, which results in people sitting out on the balcony to watch the game. They were the first club to do this and a few have followed suit. Although it looks strange, it is a great earner for the club and has helped to fund the rebuilding work.

SAFETY
In all the times I have visited Leyton I have never seen any problems at all. The club has a real friendly, family orientated feel about it and there are no pubs that should be avoided. Their fans are normally up for a chat and bit of banter, making for a relaxed away trip.

PRICE- Tickets are available prior to the game from HUFC and with a £1-2 saving depending on the icket.

ID is required for all concession tickets.