There is an argument amongst some that we should cut the youth team funding and use the money towards getting us out of the National Conference. I am inclined to disagree with this statement.
Since 1994, I have watched Leyton Orient go through many ups and downs. But one thing has stayed constant, the success of our youth team. I could list over 20 players that have come through the youth team and have proved invaluable in our first team; Jabo Ibehre with 209 appearances and 36 goals, Glenn Morris with 124 appearances and Jason Demetriou with 167 appearances and 12 goals. We have had players that have developed with us and progressed to bigger clubs; Gabriel Zakuani with 87 appearances and 3 goals who was sold to Fulham for £1 million, Nicky Shorey with 15 appearances and sold to Reading for £25,000 and most recently, Moses Odubajo with 93 appearances and 13 goals who was sold to Brentford for undisclosed fee (rumours are of £1 million plus).
We have also had players that have progressed into the top tiers of football. In recent weeks we have lost Teddy Perkins, a previous youth team captain to Burnley. Michael Obafemi left to go to Southampton and has recently broken into their first team. Last season we lost Steven Alzate and Tristan Abrahams to bigger teams without seeing their full potential in a Leyton Orient shirt. Unfortunately, this will undoubtedly happen as the lure of bigger clubs looms. But their departures serve to highlight the significant and pivotal role the Leyton Orient youth team plays in developing players of the future even if, arguably selfishly, they do not remain at Leyton Orient.
It’s not only players that have had a successful career with the youth team. Many coaches have come through our youth team system and since gone on to be managers - Paul Brush, Ross Embleton and Danny Webb to name a few. The three that stand out for me are Martin Ling, Dean Smith and Andy Edwards. Martin Ling and Dean Smith having started as youth team manager and youth team assistant, respectively, went on to secure Leyton Orient’s promotion to League 1 in 2005/06. Martin Ling remains integral to our club as Director of Football and Dean Smith has gone on to have success at Walsall and Brentford. Lastly, Andy Edwards who is an FA coach working with across all England development teams and helped England under 20’s win the World Cup 2017.
As I hope this article proves, history demonstrates that the Youth Team system at Leyton Orient has nurtured and developed real talent over the years, both players and coaches alike. Without the youth team, many aspiring individuals would struggle to get a career in football, especially in London with the fierce competition to gain a spot in the Premier League youth teams. As a fan, I am extremely proud of the talent we have produced and hope it may long continue.