Memories of Douglas Number 6

THE MIGHTY O's

ie Leyton Orient Football Club

My late husband Douglas was born in Islington but moved to Leyton when he was quite young. He supported the local football team all his life - even after moving into the football fan base of Newcastle United FC.

Living in Newcastle meant he wasn't able to attend matches but when Leyton Orient reached the 3rd Division play off final in 1999 he decided to make the effort and get himself off to Wembley to support his team.

The match was played on 29/5/1999 and was against Scunthorpe United FC - the Scunny Bunnies. Douglas proudly wore a Leyton Orient football shirt which he had purchased from the club shop - he phoned up for it as we had no internet back then.

He was the only Leyton Orient supporter who got off the train at Kings Cross- obviously most of their fans were local.

Unfortunately the score was 1 - 0 to Scunthorpe but Douglas enjoyed a good day out.

When i decided to do this blip I knew he would have kept the programme ( he collected football programmes anyway ) however when I opened the programme up I also found:

A bus ticket to Newcastle from home.
A return train ticket to London.
A receipt for scrambled eggs and a pot of tea at The Great Northern Hotel, Kings Cross.
A one day London Underground ticket.
Match ticket ( price £32 ).
Newspaper cutting about the game.

This was typical of Douglas as he loved to keep separate files containing souvenirs of special occasions.

Our son Neil is a passionate Newcastle supporter but he takes a keen interest in Leyton Orient in memory of his Dad.