LEYTON ORIENT

LAST SEASON

NATIONAL LEAGUE 1st FA CUP Fourth Qualifying Round FA TROPHY Runners-up TOP SCORER Macauley Bonne (24)

FANFILE MAT ROPER @Pandamonium1881

This season will be different because with all due respect to the National League, we won’t be going to grounds that hold one man and his dog, and we won’t be the Manchester United of the division and on TV every week.

I won’t be happy unless our home crowds rise by a further 400-500. Save the date for Newport, away in December and at home in January. It will be poignant after the tragic passing of Justin Edinburgh, who led both clubs to promotion. We’ve also got the biggest of all UK derbies: the A12 battle against Colchester. Expect thousands wanting tickets.

The player I’d happily drive to another club is poor James Alabi. He can get in the back of my motor and I’ll drop him off at any club in the Conference. Well, Conference South. Our most underrated player is Marvin Ekpiteta [below]. He’s still learning the game but has been a focal point of the O’s defence. Our best celebrity fan is the cellist, Julian Lloyd-webber: he’s down to earth and buys a copy of the fanzine. The worst is his older brother, Andrew Lloyd-webber, who only turns up for the big games – and we could have done with his cash a few years ago! The pantomime villain will be the Football League, for the continuing rubbish of the Checkatrade Trophy and holding a cup draw at Morrisons. The best away grounds are Blundell Park and Vale Park. They’re two proper old-school stadiums.

The best away fans are Exeter’s, who tend to bring a few, and Carlisle’s, who have to travel massive distances and do it in numbers. Fair play to them. Did you know that the gable on the old East Stand [above, background] is off-centre because it was originally a slightly smaller stand in length, and therefore perfectly symmetrical. We bought a further bit of stand years ago and now it looks silly – but quirky. Our key player will be Craig Clay. Our player of the season needs to do his stuff – and more, if possible – in the O’s midfield for us to have a chance. We’ll finish anywhere from 2nd-23rd.