From a play-off final to last day survival, a look back at a dramatic year for Leyton Orient

“Time to start again,” says Mat Roper

May 05, 2026

Tuesday 5 May 2026

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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Leyton Orient supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Tuesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Our great big review of the 2025-26 season kicked off with AFC Wimbledon yesterday and we’re staying in London for part two as Mat Roper talks us through a tumultuous season at Leyton Orient, with the O’s only securing League One survival on the final day of the season.

Today’s edition is sponsored by CE Building Services. A big thank you to Chris.

Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday!

Des Junior

Photo credit: Leyton Orient FC

Best moment of 2025-26?

Was there one in E10?! Let’s go for the second half comeback at the Wombles of Wimbledon under the lights. London derby, 2-1 down, 4-2 up, Ballard hat-trick… yeah, that’ll do.

Worst moment of 2025-26?

Losing at home to Rotherham following their confirmed relegation four days previous. An absolutely pitiful display where even I could have stuck a pair of Copa Mundials on and done better.

Funniest moment of 2025-26?

The young lady who hit the crossbar at half-time in the last game of the season and bagged herself £10,000. Should have got her a pair of boots and stuck her out for the second half.

Four Four Two had you down to finish 12th, EFL pundit Gabriel Sutton thought you’d finish 11th, while the Opta supercomputer predicted you’d be 2nd. You finished 20th. Discuss.

Four Four Two know nothing, Sutton knows even less, whilst who trusts computers and AI? Second?! Oh my God, someone needs to switch that thing off and on again. We lost some amazingly brilliant players, struggled to replace them all over the park, and fell into an awful turgid trap that nearly got us relegated. Awful season. Time to start again.

Leyton Orient 2 County 2 in August. County 0 Leyton Orient 0 in February. Thoughts?

Two of the more enjoyable encounters of the season were against County. That’s been a theme for a couple of years now. We seem to have decent games against you that we typically do well in.

With World War 3 getting closer with each passing day, the government have asked me to pass on the following questions:

A) Who’s been your toughest player in 2025-26, most suitable to stick on the frontline?

B) What’s the best food you’ve had at a ground in 2025-26, that we can use for the troops in the trenches to keep morale up?

C) If World War 3 does kick off, how will Leyton Orient fans react in a crisis?

A) Theo Archibald, who returned having had an ACL put in! Seemingly running through brick walls for us. Give him a rifle on the wing and we’ll be fine.

B) Exeter’s steak and ale pie went down a treat so let’s send that out to the guys in khaki green.

C) Half would run for the hills and half would stick it out. If it happened, you can bet your sweet bippy that we’d be top by 27 points and the season would be curtailed. That’s how we roll in E10.

Best and worst away days of 2025-26?

Cardiff was fun because it could have ended up 6-6 (they won 4-3) and it was nice to do a new ground… although Ninian Park it ain’t!

The worst (despite the win) has to be Stevenage and anyone that’s been there knows why.

Never mind Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+, a TV production company have just made Leyton Orient: The Story of 2025-26. Which channel would it be most suited for?

Any YouTube channel with less than 100 subscribers, because it ain’t worth watching.

Which Leyton Orient player is most deserving of his couple of weeks on the beach this summer?

Dom Ballard. Golden Boot winner who single-handedly kept us in League One and will no doubt be on a sun lounger discussing a £5m move to a second tier club as we speak.

And finally… the Green Party have been making a lot of noise in recent months. Where’s the nicest green space in east London for a picnic and a barbecue this summer, somewhere we can all chill the fuck out while the megalomaniacs continue to set the world on fire?

You could say Coronation Gardens behind the ground but the local winos might want a bit of your picnic so we’ll plump for Walthamstow Marshes – not as bad as it sounds and in the better months can be passable for a decent place to fire up the barbie, sink a couple of cans, and discuss what an awful season it was in E10.

Thinking of having an extension?

Adding an extension to your home not only provides you with additional living space but can add considerable value to your property.

Whether it’s an extra bedroom, larger kitchen, utility room, or sun lounge, CE Building Services will work together with you to guide you through the process, and help you assess the best options to suit your budget and requirements.

They will assist you with the design, and decision making process, ensuring you get the best possible living space you require to suit you and your family’s needs.

An extension is often a cheaper option than moving house. Adding an extension can increase the value of your home whether it’s a single storey extension, or a double storey wrap around.

➡️ For a free, no obligation quote, give Chris a call on 07813 025854 or 0161 282 5968. Alternatively, you can email chris@cebuildingservices.co.uk.

Photo of the day

Brisbane Road, London

County fans enjoying a half-time pint at Leyton Orient in May 2025 during our League One play-off semi-final first leg.

Today in SK

🍻 Food and drink

Coffee and a cake for £5.99 at Brew 32 at The Three Shires (SK1). Available till 6pm.

The Nelson Commercial (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £5.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £1.50, and 3 for £7 on Jägerbombs. Also, double up for £2 on premium spirits.

Whether you’re looking for something to refresh you on this sunny Tuesday afternoon, or to mix with your favourite spirit, The Dog & Partridge (SK2) have a new range of soft drinks behind the bar.

Bitter £2.55 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8).

If you’re heading out for a few beers today, pop into one of our featured venues such as The Crown (SK2), The Steelworks (SK6) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).