[title]
This summer, London has been gripped in football fever. First, Arsenal won the league for the first time in 20 years, turning north London red as Gooners celebrated the win for weeks. Then, for a few glorious weeks, the World Cup had us all obsessed with Djed Spence’s big tackles, Harry Kane’s poacher’s goals and the Bellingham-Haaland bromance.
Now, fans of the beautiful game in the Big Smoke can visit a brand-new museum dedicated to the sport. Leyton Orient – the second-oldest football club in London, dating back to 1881 – has opened a new gallery that pays homage to the club’s 90 years of playing at Brisbane Road stadium.
Located in the stadium’s former home dressing room, the footy museum displays memorabilia, photographs, match programmes, historic shirts and unique artefacts from nine decades of Orient, with much of it donated by fans. The club is asking for fans to continue sharing their photos and memorabilia which could end up featured in the display.
The changing room was recently restored to the same appearance it would have had in 1956, when the O’s won the Third Division South, with 1970s panelling removed from the walls.
The Leyton Orient Museum is open now and can be accessed under the ‘Only One Orient’ sign in Brisbane Road, through the set of red wooden double doors.
Chief executive of the Leyton Orient Trust, Neil Taylor, said: ‘We are thrilled to be working with Davis Watson – club historian – on bringing the East Stand home team changing room back to life and filled with Orient memorabilia – kindly donated by Orient fans.
‘Given the age of the changing room and the hundreds of Orient players that used it – it is fitting that we celebrate the achievements of the 1956 winning team in the very room where they would have celebrated.
‘As the club charity, it is important that the club’s history is remembered and shared with new generations, so that they appreciate what previous fans, players, managers and owners have built and something that we can all be proud of.’
The 20 best things to do in Leyton and Leytonstone.
ICYMI: this wacky ’90s south London landmark might be getting a controversial makeover.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.