Jun 17
A surprise signing today down in SE7. Macauley Bonne, Leyton Orient’s top scorer from the last two seasons, 49 goals in all. Even more surprising was there was a fee. Lee Bowyer indicated that RD maybe prepared to offer small fees on players, where there is future value.
Bonne signed an extension to his O’s contract last summer and it is thought that there was a break fee of £200,000.
In the National League the contrasting seasons of Aldershot Town and Leyton Orient were enormous. Both teams I have always had a soft spot for.
My first ever football match I witnessed live was at The Recreation ground in Aldershot. As I badgered the old man to take me to his club, the one a few miles away in SE7 that he’d got out of the habit of watching, we happened to be at some friends one weekend in Camberley.
The Dad was an avid Aldershot watcher, and asked my Dad and I to accompany him, and I have vivid memories of the day. The opposition has always been a mystery to me, but I’m pretty sure it was Stockport County, themselves promoted yesterday and in a quirk of fate will replace the Shots in the National League.
Great little club are Leyton Orient. During the mid 70’s and 80’s when I first started going to Charlton we played them regularly and my family and I would always make the short journey across the river. We were there for the abandoned game in 1978. The game was called off at half-time and the tannoy system was so bad that the crowd only found out by word of mouth. We went back for the re-arranged game which had been postponed again and was pushed back 24 hours to see us avoid relegation by the skins of our teeth.
In 2014 The O’s were a penalty kick away from playing in The Championship and then Barry Hearn sold the club to Francesco Becchetti, who walked the EFL’s fit and proper test because he had money and ambition. Sadly what Becchetti also had was not one clue of how to run a football club. As Barry Hearn said: “But no one could have foreseen the level of ineptitude when it comes to management. You can’t do due diligence on whether he is a nutter!” Sound familiar?
Please click for more
“All aboard the CAFC party boat to Fulham” – Johnnie Jackson
My disappointment at seeing Birmingham avoid relegation soon evaporated after hearing of Fulham’s demise at Stoke City. They were truly awful yesterday and after 13 Premiership season’s they will join Cardiff in The Championship next season.
I have long had an irrational dislike of Fulham, who were transformed from a community, family club with a rich history into the egotistical face of Mohammed Al Fayed, who over time squeezed every ounce of individuality out of the club and it’s famous ground. Michael Jackson statues and neutral areas just two examples.
Please click for more
Charlton Athletic 3 Leyton Orient 1
April Fools Day came late to SE7 yesterday as not only did those rip roaring Addicks win for the first time in 7 weeks, the ball stayed on the ground for longer than it has for months and Jose Semedo scored only his second goal in 128 Charlton appearances. Feels good doesn’t it?
Judging by reports we started well, with a good tempo and movement. Then we conceded and our fragile confidence split. At half-time though Powell finally got through to the players and they came out and put on a show. The O’s didn’t lie down however and the Valley faithful got a long-owed decent match, 3 goals, some positive talking points afterwards and of course 3 points.
Please click for more
Leyton Orient 1 Charlton Athletic 3
A Charlton performance to warm your heart tonight in East London. After a decent first half with the ball being played along the floor more than is normally expected in Div 3, we held a 1-0 lead but after the break the O’s cranked up the pressure and ex-Addick Scott McGleish scored against us again and then within minutes for the second league game in a row we were reduced to 10 men.
Dailly’s second yellow was clumsy and with 30 minutes left I was sat at my desk thinking a point would be a good result. However Doherty and particularly Llera showed great resolve heading and kicking every cross away whilst in front of them Racon and McCormack formed a human shield.
Abbott ran his socks off and Martin was a clever outlet but it was Scott Wagstaff, disappointing in the two games so far who caused the damage with a finish that Super Clive would have been proud off to put us surprisingly back in front. Then a fantastic burst of pace down the right by Waggy deep into injury time ended with an inviting cross to be met by a jubilant Chris Solly to end proceedings.
Please click for more
Chicago Addick 