Rejoice People, For Leyton Orient Are Finally Under New Ownership After Three Years Of Abject Misery!

Chris Wright

23rd, June 2017

2 Comments

Soccer - Sky Bet Football League One - Leyton Orient v Preston North End - Matchroom Stadium

Photo: Press Association

After suffering through three years of rudderless misrule under Francesco Becchetti, Leyton Orient are finally – finally! – under new ownership.

In just three short seasons, self-anointed president Becchetti managed to guide The O’s from the League One play-off final to, as of the culmination of the 2016/17 campaign, relegation from the Football League entirely – via failed reality television shows, financial mismanagement, chronic under-funding, unpaid wages, frequent issues with HMRC, the physical assault  of staff, the public insulting of fans, etc, etc.

It’s hardly melodramatic to say that the club was on its knees when it survived a winding-up petition last week, but – just as the dark clouds were looming long overhead – Orient have today been born anew.

That’s because the life-draining vampire spectre of Becchetti has been banished and control of the ailing club has been seized by Eagle Investments 2017 Ltd, headed by Orient fan Nigel Travis, who is the CEO of Dunkin’ Brands, parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.

Travis’ first order of business was to reinstall popular former Orient player and promotion-winning manager Martin Ling as his director of football…

As well as restoring hope to a famished fan base, the takeover also means that Orient can begin preparing for their first ever season as a non-league club without worrying about the cess pit of neglect and ineptitude that their off-field affairs had devolved into.

Upon breaking the news, new owner Travis told the official Orient website:

I have been a passionate Leyton Orient supporter for my entire life and feel a great sense of responsibility to the players, the staff, the fans and the community.

We have challenges in front of us, and I am not under-estimating those.

However, over the long-term, we believe we can return the club to the Football League.

Addressing Ling’s new role at Brisbane Road, Travis added:

Martin’s immediate goals are to develop the squad for next season and appoint a first team coach.

His deep ties to the club will help him build on Leyton Orient’s heritage of developing strong young talent through its academy.

Longer-term, along with the new management team, Martin is committed to return Leyton Orient to its winning days.

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