As part of the Everything Orient series 'Where Are They Now', we take a look back at ex-Orient players and see were their careers have taken them since their departure from Brisbane Road.
This one probably seems a bit redundant, it’s obvious isn’t it? Harry Kane is in Russia with England, leading the Three Lions into the Round of 16 at the World Cup, having seen off Panama and Tunisia and scored a tournament-leading five goals in the process.
Since he left Leyton Orient way back in 2011, Harry Kane has become one of the world’s most valuable players - valued at £135 million by Transfermarkt - and scored over 150 goals (that’s in addition to the five he scored for the O’s). It’s incredible to think that one of the world’s greats made his first professional appearance, and scored his first professional goals, in Orient colours.
As his exploits for Spurs and England are so well covered elsewhere, I thought that as England prepare to take on Belgium, that it would be a good time to look back on Kane’s time at Orient.
So a bit less where are they now and a bit more here’s where he came from. Let’s take a look at Harry Kane’s top five, and only five I might add, Leyton Orient goals.
1st - Strikers instinct for first professional goal - Leyton Orient 4 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday
The first of Kane’s goals for the O’s came in his second appearance for the club. After coming on for Scott McGleish against Rochdale on a rainy afternoon at Spotland, Kane started the next game at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
In his first senior start, Kane scored Orient’s second, tucking in a Dean Cox free-kick unmarked after running in behind in what Sky Sports labelled a 'static Wednesday defence'. That first goal demonstrated Kane’s sharp instincts, his ability to read the game and his deft finishing. Orient went on to win the game 4-0.
2nd & 3rd - A double against Bristol Rovers - Leyton Orient 4 - 1 Bristol Rovers
Kane next scored against Bristol Rovers, coming on in the 70th minute and hitting a brace against the Gas, the second a header from another player who would graduate from Orient to the Premier League, Charlie Daniels cross. Kane’s clinical finishing guaranteed the Orient a win by four goals to one.
4th - One goal, one red card - Leyton Orient 2 - 2 Huddersfield
Against Huddersfield, Kane came on less than 20 minutes into the game for the injured Stephen Dawson. The game was slipping away from the O’s, who were 2-0 down with 20 minutes left to play when Kane headed in a Dean Cox cross from close range, beating goalkeeper Ian Bennett. Minutes later Kane was sent off for what Russell Slade called a “very harsh” second yellow card. However, Orient still came away with a point thanks to a late header from Jimmy Smith.
5th - Another Deano assist - Leyton Orient 2 - 0 Walsall
What turned out to be Kane’s final goal for Orient came just before half time against Walsall, as he again headed home one of Deano’s crosses just before half time in a comfortable 2-0 win on the road.
After 18 games and five goals, Kane’s loan at Orient was regarded as fairly successful by some. The boy from Chingford might be one of England and Spurs all time greats, but he’ll always have a place in Orient fans’ hearts.
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