Giving Orient fans a voice
Leyton Orient Fans' Trust
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LOFT calls for East Stand consultation
3/30/2010

At the club's AGM held on 23rd March, the prospect was raised of permanently moving home supporters out of the East Stand. At present the north wing of the East Stand is only given over to away fans when the travelling support ostensibly requires a larger area, although this has led to matches where the north wing was empty when the area wasn't required, and the bizarre sight of an entire stand along the length of the pitch given over to just a few hundred away fans.

The last change in use of the stands took place without supporter consultation, when the Family Stand was relocated from the East Stand to the then-newly built North Stand. LOFT calls upon the club to consult with existing East Stand season ticket holders if it does intend to relocate them permanently, with a fully reasoned explanation including the level of cost savings to the club. It would also be prudent for the club to ascertain how many of those supporters would not be prepared to relocate, as any cost savings could be wiped out by fans staying away - the last thing the club needs is a reduction in the attendance at matches.

Rather than reduce the options for Orient fans, LOFT has always called for greater options to be made available to attend matches. One such option is to convert part of the north wing to terracing, which would both increase the ground's capacity and provide an affordable option for would-be supporters who currently stay away from Brisbane Road for cost reasons. Safe standing is an achievable aim, and one that the club should be looking into - the club needs to increase its fanbase, and offering a cheaper option as a 'hook' could help accomplish this.





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