In the 2018-19 season Leyton Orient will be competing in the Vanarama National League for a second consecutive season, as I do the Everything Orient series 'Away Days', I thought I'd preview the grounds Orient will visit in the upcoming season.
AFC Fylde
Ground: Mill Farm
Capacity: 6,000
Town/City: Wesham, Lancashire
Postcode: PR4 3JZ
Distance from E10: 248 miles
The O's return to Mill Field this upcoming season and last year Orient came away with all three points following a 1-0 win. Wesham, Fylde, a small town with a population of 3,400, is located just outside of bigger Lancashire towns such as Preston and Blackpool. AFC Fylde is a four hour drive from Leyton down the M11, M25, M6 and M55. The nearest station to the Football club is Kirkham & Wesham on the Northern branchline between Blackpool North and Preston, where trains run direct to London Euston on the Virgin West Coast line, this journey takes roughly four hours.
Aldershot Town
Ground: Recreation Ground
Capacity: 7,200
Town/City: Aldershot, Hampshire
Postcode: GU11 1TW
Distance from E10: 60 miles
Orient rescued a late point at Aldershot in dramatic fashion at the EBB Stadium (Traditionally known as the Recreation Ground) in an entertaining 2-2 draw. The town of Aldershot, located on the Surrey/Hampshire border, is home to the British Army and an hour and twenty minute drive from Leyton, along the M11/M25/M3. The nearest station is Aldershot which is situated in between the town centre and the ground (both a five minute walk) and trains run direct to London Waterloo, with the journey taking 55 minutes.
Barnet
Ground: The Hive
Capacity: 6,418
Town/City: Edgware, London
Postcode: HA8 6AG
Distance from E10: 18 miles
The last time the O's visited the Hive, the two sides played out a goalless stalemate in 2016. The Bee's, who were recently relegated to the National League, moved into the Hive from their old ground Underhill in 2013. Unlike Underhill, the Hive isn't in Barnet but is in the neighbouring parish of Edgware in North London and is a 40 minute drive from Leyton along the A406. The nearest station is Cannons Park, which is a five minute walk along a path to the ground and is located on the Jubilee Line which runs direct trains to Baker Street and Stratford, this journey would take just under an hour from Leyton.
Barrow AFC
Ground: Holker Street
Capacity: 5,045
Town/City: Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Postcode: LA14 5UW
Distance from E10: 303 miles
One of the more longer away journeys O's fans will face this season, a trip to Barrow beckons, last season Orient drew 2-2 at Holker Street. Barrow, which has a population of 57,000, is on the tip of the Irish sea in the far corner of Cumbria, Holker Street is a five hour drive along the M1,M6 and A590. The nearest station is Barrow which is on the Preston/Lancaster to Barrow branchline served by Northern trains, alight at Preston or Lancaster for London services back to Euston, the overall journey takes four and a half hours.
Boreham Wood
Ground: Meadow Park
Capacity: 4,502
Town/City: Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
Postcode: WD6 5AL
Distance from E10: 19 miles
Orient hoping for better luck away to Boreham Wood this time around as they return to Meadow Park this season following a 2-0 defeat last season, which is also used for Arsenal's Ladies/U21 games (hence the perfect pitch). Just outside Watford and Edgware, Borehamwood, known for the stars of showbiz, is 40 minutes from Leyton along the M11/M25/A1. The nearest station is Elstree & Borehamwood which is a ten minute walk from the ground and is served by trains to St Pancras, this journey takes 25 minutes.
Braintree Town
Ground: Cressing Road
Capacity: 4,085
Town/City: Braintree, Essex
Postcode: CM7 3DE
Distance from E10: 46 miles
Orient making their first return to Braintree since playing them in pre season in 2015, on that occasion the Iron, managed by Lincoln boss Danny Cowley at the time, came away with the win. In North Essex, Braintree lies in the middle of Essex towns Colchester and Chelmsford, last season Braintree came back up to the fifth tier at the first time of asking via the playoffs. By Car Cressing Road is 50 minutes from Leyton along the M11 and A120, the nearest station is Braintree Freeport (15 minute walk) which serves trains to Braintree Town centre, Stratford and Liverpool Street, this journey takes around an hour and 15 minutes.
Bromley
Ground: Hayes Lane
Capacity: 5,300
Town/City: Bromley, London
Postcode: BR2 9EF
Distance from E10: 15 miles
Orient not hoping for a repeat of last seasons visit to Hayes Lane, loosing 6-1 and George Porter's smugness angering the Orient faithful who brought 1,400 across the river. Bromley, located on the South East London/Kent border, is home to a Ravens side which finished runners up in last seasons FA Trophy, the town is about 40 minutes drive across the Blackwall Tunnel from East London. The nearest station is Bromley South which is a 15 minute walk from the ground, trains run direct to London Victoria, this journey takes 15 minutes.
Chesterfield
Ground: Protact Stadium
Capacity: 10,504
Town/City: Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Postcode: S41 8NZ
Distance from E10: 156 miles
3 years ago this fixture was played in League One, now both Chesterfield and The O's face each other in the National League following Chesterfield's relegation. Chesterfield, located south of Sheffield and north of the East Midlands and Derby, has a population of over 100,000 and has a stadium many National League clubs will be looking forward to visit. The Protact Stadium is just over a two and a half hour drive from Leyton along the M1 and A617, the nearest station is Chesterfield which is a 40 minute walk from the ground and is served by trains to St Pancras, this journey takes approximately two and a half hours.
Dagenham & Redbridge
Ground: Victoria Road
Capacity: 6,078
Town/city: Dagenham, Essex
Postcode: RM10 7XL
Distance from E10: 13 miles
The closest away day of the season is a trip to Essex side Dagenham & Redbridge, 13 miles separate the two sides at two ends of the District line, the O's hoping for another triumph against a Daggers side venerable in recent months. Dagenham, just outside the capital in urban Essex ,welcomed 1,400 O's last season when both teams met on New years day another 900 made the journey for the FA Cup Qualifier in October. The Chigwell Construction Stadium (Victoria Road) is a half hour car ride from east London along the A13, the nearest station to the ground is Dagenham East tube which is a five minute walk, this journey takes around 25 minutes from Mile End.
Dover Athletic
Ground: Crabble Athletic Ground
Capacity: 5,745
Town/City: Dover, Kent
Postcode: CT17 OJB
Distance from E10: 74 miles
Memories of the roller-coaster emotions of last years 4-3 win at the Crabble in the FA Trophy come to mind when I think of this trip, the O's hoping for another happy trip to Dover when they travel to the Kent side this season. Dover, known for it's cliffs, high hills and location to the Channel Tunnel, welcomed 500 O's fans in the Trophy last season and 300 for the snow day fixture in March. The Crabble is a two hour drive from Leyton down the M20, Dover Priory is the nearest station but a 40 minute walk from the ground, the station serves frequent high speed trains to Stratford International, the journey takes just under one hour.
Eastleigh FC
Ground: Ten Acres
Capacity: 5,250
Town/City: Eastleigh, Hampshire
Postcode: SO50 9NW
Distance from E10: 88 miles
Orient return to Eastleigh FC's Silverlink Stadium, traditionally known as Ten Acres, last year the two teams played out a goalless draw on a cold, snowy, windy day on the South coast. The club and the stadium has been pumped with cash over the last few seasons, building new modern stands and building a team capable of reaching the Football League. Eastleigh, on the outskirts of Southampton, welcomed 450 O's last season, it is a two and a half hour drive from Leyton along the M25 and M3. The nearest station is Southampton Airport Parkway, a 20 minute walk, trains run to London Waterloo and other cities in the UK on Crosscountry, however Eastleigh station, an hour from the ground, is were more variety is found and is only 10 minutes in a taxi. Trains also run into Waterloo in a journey that takes an hour.
Ebbsfleet United
Ground: Stonebridge Road
Capacity: 4,500
Town/City: Northfleet, Gravesend
Postcode: DA11 9GN
Distance from E10: 23 miles
Orient hoping for a more enjoyable trip to North Kent this season, the Fleet's 2-1 win was the last straw for under pressure O's boss Steve Davis who was enduring a 13 game winless spell. Renamed Ebbsfleet in 2008 due to the opening of the Railway station, the Fleet located in Northfleet reached the playoff semi final last season and have recently completed renovations on their ground, the Kuflink Stadium (known traditionally as Stonebridge Road). Ebbsfleet are a 45 minute drive from Leyton across the Blackwall Tunnel and down the A2, the nearest station is Ebbsfleet International which is 10 minutes non stop from Stratford International.
FC Halifax Town
Ground: The Shay
Capacity: 14, 061
Town/City: Halifax, West Yorkshire
Postcode: HX1 2YS
Distance from E10: 214 miles
O's fans were left angered after Halifax cancelled their game with Orient last January after announcing they wouldn't have a pitch inspection a day before the fixture. Halifax, famous for it being the home of Quality Streets, is a town in West Yorkshire on the outskirts of Leeds and Bradford and is known for its factories and rural hills. The Shay, the biggest ground in this seasons National League, is four hours from Leyton by car down the M1 and M62. The nearest station is Halifax which is runs half hourly trains to Leeds were O's fans would alight to get direct services back to London Kings Cross, this journey takes just under three hours.
Gateshead
Ground: Gateshead International Stadium
Capacity: 11,800
Town/City: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Postcode: NE10 0EF
Distance from E10: 280 miles
The last away day of last season saw Orient come away from the Heed 3-1 winners, 600 O's fans made the 280 mile journey for a meaningless, end of season fixture. Gateshead, approximate to Newcastle city centre, is famous for the Angle of the North, the GIS which is also used for athletics is a five hour drive from Leyton along the M1/A14/A1(M). The nearest station is Gateshead Stadium Metro which runs transits to Newcastle Central where the City Centre and Train station is located, it takes just over three hours back to London by train.
Harrogate Town
Ground: Wetherby Road
Capacity: 3,800
Town/City: Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Postcode: HG2 7SA
Distance from E10: 208 miles
The O's will travel to National League North Playoff winners Harrogate Town next season, the historic spa town is located north of Leeds and Bradford, also west of York. Wetherby Park is a four hour drive from Leyton along the M11, A14 and A1(M), the nearest station is Harrogate which runs direct trains to Leeds were you pick up services to London, however the station is a 40 minute walk from the ground.
Hartlepool United
Ground: Victoria Park
Capacity: 7,856
Town/City: Hartlepool, County Durham
Postcode: TS24 8BZ
Distance from E10: 259 miles
O's fans will be looking forward to visiting Hartlepool this season as last seasons game was moved to a midweek game due to Orient's participation in the FA Trophy. Hartlepool, located in-between Middlesbrough (in Teesside) and Tyne & Wear went down to the National League with the O's in 2017, The Pool are a five hour drive from Leyton along the M11,A14,A1(M) and A168. The Nearest Station is Hartlepool which is a 10 minute walk from the ground, Grand Central run direct trains to London which takes three hours, in direct trains via Thornaby and York on Regional services take four hours.
Havant & Waterlooville
Ground: West Leigh Park
Capacity: 5,250
Town/City: Havant, Portsmouth
Postcode: PO9 5TH
Distance from E10: 101 miles
National League South Champions Havant & Waterlooville will welcome Leyton Orient in this seasons National League, Havant located on the outskirts of South Coast Portsmouth is a two and a half hour drive from Leyton at the foot of the A3. The nearest station is Havant, which is a 20 minute walk from the ground, provides direct services to Portsmouth Centre and London Waterloo, which takes just over an hour.
Maidenhead United
Ground: York Road
Capacity: 3,377
Town/City: Maidenhead, Berkshire
Postcode: SL6 1SF
Distance from E10: 40 miles
Orient hoping for a repeat of last season when they travelled to Berkshire, Bonne helping the O's to all three points against Alan Devonshire's side. Maidenhead, adjacent to the royal town of Windsor on the other side of the thames is an hour and half drive from Leyton along the M25 and M4, west of the capital. The nearest station is Maidenhead, five minutes from the ground, it serves trains to London Paddington in a journey that takes half hour.
Maidstone United
Ground: Gallagher Stadium
Capacity: 4,200
Town/City: Maidstone, Kent
Postcode: ME14 1LQ
Distance from E10: 36 miles
Orient hoping for a repeat of last seasons trip to the Stones, beating the Kent side 2-0 at the Gallagher Stadium in the festive fixture. Maidstone is an hour and a half drive from Maidstone along the M25 and M20, the nearest station is Maidstone Barracks which is 5 minutes from the ground but trains aren't direct to London fro this station, Maidstone West is served by frequent trains to Stratford International and is 15 minutes from the ground.
Salford City
Ground: Moor Lane
Capacity: 5,108
Town/City: Manchester
Postcode: M7 3PZ
Distance from E10: 231 miles
In 2014 Salford City were competing in the eighth tier of English football, Orient had just missed out on Promotion to the second tier, four years later both sides will compete in the same division. However this does mean a good day out in Manchester, which has a lot of variety in Deansgate, the City Centre, Piccadilly or other places around the city. Recently Moor Lane has gone under redevelopment and is a different stadium to what it was before the Class of 92 invested in the club. The Ammines are four and a half hours from Leyton along the M1/M6 and M602. The nearest station is Salford Central, 20 minutes walk from the round, but since Piccadilly station (where London trains run to) is closer to everything in the city I would recommend a bus or a cab from the city.
Solihull Moors
Ground: Damson Park
Capacity: 4,313
Town/City: Solihull, Birmingham
Postcode: B91 2PP
Distance from E10: 127 miles
The O's will return to the Moors following their great escape at the end of last season, last time out Solihull Moors earned a memorable 1-0 win over Orient at Damson Park, a shiver to all O's fans at full time. Solihull, located outside of Birmingham approximate to the Airport and many factories, is a two and a half hour drive from Leyton on the M1/M6/M42. The Nearest station is Birmingham International which is a five minute cab ride to the ground, trains run to Euston in a journey which takes an hour. However ,Solihull station is on the Chiltern main line which runs from Marylebone and is an hour and a half from Solihull, which is a 25 minute walk from the ground.
Sutton United
Ground: Gander Green Lane
Capacity: 5,013
Town/City: Sutton, Surrey
Postcode: SM1 2EY
Distance from E10: 19 miles
A trip to Surrey beckons again next season as Orient travel to playoff semi finalists Sutton United, last time out the O's lost 2-0 at Gander Green Lane, on that occasion Orient bought 1,500 to Sutton. It takes an hour and a half through London to get to Sutton by car, by train West Sutton is the nearest station with a five minute walk and is 45 minutes from St Pancras, however Sutton station one stop away is were most variety is found.
Wrexham
Ground: My Racecourse
Capacity: 10,771
Town/City: Wrexham (Wrecsam), Wales
Postcode: LL11 2AH
Distance from E10: 207 miles
Last season a diving header from Mark Ellis gave the travelling O's a late point away at Wrexham at the Racecourse, 4 minutes from time, great scenes in the away end. Wrexham, the only Welsh side in the National League, have been ever present in the Conference since relegation from the Football League in 2008. By Car it takes four hours from Leyton to Wrexham via the M1,M6, M54 and A5, Wrexham General is the nearest station and is 15 minutes from Chester on a branch line, alight at Chester or Crewe for services to London, this journey takes just over three hours. Off peak services run direct from Euston to Wrexham General via Virgin Trains, this takes two and a half hours.
My Top 5 Away Days 2018/19
1. Wrexham
I really enjoyed Wrexham away last season, a nice ground, a good journey by train, good atmosphere and a great finish to the game, Mar Ellis of all people earning the O's a point across the Border! Cant wait to do it again.
2. Aldershot Town
A good ground, not too far to get too, good atmosphere but hoping for all three points when we return to the Shots.
3. Salford City
Looking forward to a good day out in Manchester, a great city with a lot of variety, also I've watched the Salford Documentary since it started 4 years ago so it would be good to see the ground and the club itself.
4. Hartlepool United
I couldn't make it up to Hartlepool for the midweek game last season so I'm looking forward to going Victoria Park this season, a nice football league ground right up north, them ones were you leave home at five in the morning and don't get back till 2am the next day, what away days should be!
5. Chesterfield
One away day I'll be looking out for when the fixtures are drawn, a good ground, it would have more of a Football League away day feel to it than other grounds in this league.
STATS
Closest Away Day- Dagenham & Redbridge (13 miles)
Furthest Away Day- Barrow (303 miles)
Largest Ground- FC Halifax Town, The Shay (14,061)
Smallest Ground- Maidenhead United, York Road (3,377)
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