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"FOOTBALLER WHO TRAINS BY WORKING ON FARM." It's 27 September 1929, and The Daily Mirror reports on the unorthodox training regime of the Orient's Bob Turnbull. #lofc #lofcpress
A black-and-white photograph originally published in The Daily Mirror on 27 September 1929. It shows a white man in a striped sweater, white shirt and dark trousers, sitting on the ground with one leg stretched out in front of him. He is reaching out to feed a group of geese, most of which are looking towards him with great interest. The headline reads: “FOOTBALLER WHO TRAINS BY WORKING ON FARM” and a caption reads, “Bob Turnbull, the well-known Clapton Orient footballer, feeding geese destined for the Christmas market at his farm at Fawkham, Kent. He finds farm work excellent training for the game.”
September 27, 2026 at 10:11 AM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
The Orient's match-day transportation, 1920s-style, as documented in the London Evening News for 24 September 1921. #lofc #lofcpress
A black-and-white photograph, originally published in the London Evening News for 24 September 1921, showing three white men in collar-and-tie, two wearing flat caps and the other what looks like a fedora. One of the men in flat caps is in the driver’s seat of a motorbike, with the other behind him; the man in the fedora is sitting in a side-car. The caption reads: “AN ‘ORIENTAL’ WAY. How Pearson (driving), Warboys (sitting in car), and Hugall, of the Clapton Orient F.C., reach their club’s away matches.”
September 24, 2026 at 12:40 PM
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Cup action for the Orient, and a 4-2 victory over Reading Ramblers, reported in Sporting Life on 26 September 1898. "The visit of the English Cup team representing Reading to Clapton on Saturday proved a great attraction at the New Athletic Ground..." #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from Sporting Life, 26 September 1898, reading: READING RAMBLERS V. ORIENT. The visit of the English Cup team representing Reading to Clapton on Saturday proved a great attraction at the New Athletic Ground, between fourteen and fifteen hundred spectators lining the ropes at the kick-off. Both teams were well represented, and played an excellent game throughout. The home team, with the wind at their backs, pressed from the start. The forwards combined well, and immediately Ken Gibson sent in a beauty from the right wing which Butler cleared in fine style. Not to be denied, the front rank again attacked. Another shot this time from Merritt resulted in a corner. Ten minutes from the start a penalty against the visitors resulted in the homesters opening their score. Manniger, taking the kick, easily beat Butler. Five minutes later Hillsdon missed a grand opening, and sent the ball behind. The visitors were now getting into their stride, and made matters pretty warm for Stevens, who cleared in fine style. A corner fell to the Biscuit boys soon after. Stanley took the kick, and sent behind. Clark and Crook proved an ideal pair of backs, and but for their accurate kicking the homesters would have run up a big score. The visitors just after got away well, and looked like scoring, but were puling up for “off-side”. Then “Ken" gave the visitors a lot of trouble. One of his centres to Hillsdon resulted in the last-named landing the ball into the net. Thus the homesters were two goals ahead, and both sides tiring. Nothing more resulted until a moment before the interval, when Merritt banged in a beauty, which struck the upright and went behind, half-time arriving with the score unaltered.
September 26, 2026 at 7:01 AM
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"And so the Orient have won, and their fine victory, 3 to 1 at Blackpool, is good business." So says "Claptonian" in Athletic Chat, 25 September 1906. "Mr. Secretary Dean was a joyful man when the good news came through. He was watching the Reserves score nine goals against..." #lofc #lofcpress
A cutting from Athletic Chat, 25 September 1906, reading: CLAPTON ORIENT. By “CLAPTONIAN”. And so the Orient have won, and their fine victory, 3 to 1 at Blackpool, is good business. Mr. Secretary Dean was a joyful man when the good news came through. He was watching the Reserves score nine goals against the Caleys. Twelve goals in one afternoon is a bit hot, eh? And what a game Thomas, Wiseman, and Welfare had with the Caleys Reserves defence. It was amusing to see them racing through it just when they liked. At Blackpool the seniors had sterner business on hand. Leonard was right in the picture there, and he is a rare capture for the Orient; so is Thacker. The team that beat Blackpool is good all round. When Copestake scored so early in the game the Blackpool people expected a repetition of last year’s result. But the O’s are made of different stuff this season. They have forwards who can score. Dougal, Leonard, and Oliver were all concerned in the equaliser, which was neatly obtained, but Bourne was the man of the moment so far as the second goal was concerned. He put it into the net beautifully. Leonard shot the third in with one of those long, deceptive drives. In Second League football the old Small Heath man is a star, and no mistake. He is setting up a fine understanding with Dougall, too. Oliver led the attack nicely, and Evenson did any amount of noble work amongst the halves. Once more Steward was in a great humour, and Henderson, too, behaved brilliantly; so did Bowers. In fact, the Orient played smart football, and Blackpool admit they deserved to win by a couple of goals. This is a gain of two points. And now for Bradford City. Chelsea beat them, and so did we last season. Chelsea only drew at Blackpool. We won. So it will be very surprising of the Orient do not triumph again next Saturday. And with the ’Spurs away what a gate they should have at Homerton.
September 25, 2026 at 5:59 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
The Orient have put four goals past South Shields, and Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper for 28 September 1919 has the proof: “A remarkable photograph of Clapton Orient’s second goal against South Shields. It was scored by Ives, the outside left, after a scrimmage in the goal-mouth.” #lofc #lofcpress
A black-and-white photograph originally published in Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper on 28 September 1919. It shows a football match in which some of the players are wearing the light shirt with a dark chevron of Clapton Orient and others are wearing mid-grey shirts. It shows a goal post and a section of netting on the left-hand side. A Clapton Orient footballer is caught in the action of heading the ball to its left, with a group of other players running towards him. On the right-hand side, closest to the camera, are a Clapton Orient player running across the frame towards the ball; just behind him a South Shields player looks on. Behind all of the players is a packed terrace full of spectators. The headline reads: “ONE OF THE GOALS AT HOMERTON.” and a caption reads, “A remarkable photograph of Clapton Orient’s second goal against South Shields, It was scored by Ives, the outside left, after a scrimmage in the goal-mouth.”
September 28, 2026 at 8:43 AM
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“WOOD BEATS STOCKPORT” cries the London Daily Chronicle for 29 September 1924. “Clapton Orient always seem to do well at Edgeley Park … the Stockport men found in Wood, the burly Orient goalkeeper, a stumbling block. … Perhaps Wood was a trifle lucky…” #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from The London Daily Chronicle, 29 September 1924, reading: WOOD BEATS STOCKPORT. ORIENT PROVIDE WHAT COUNTY TEAM LACKED. Stockport County 0 Clapton Orient 1 Clapton Orient always seem to do well at Edgeley Park, and continued their forward march in the League by winning by one goal to nothing. The Orient were by no means the better team, but they had what Stockport lacked — finish. For fully three-fourths of the opening half, Stockport, playing forceful football, struggled to secure an opening for a goal. Chances were not always taken, and when they were the Stockport men found in Wood, the burly Orient goalkeeper, a stumbling block. Perhaps Wood was a trifle lucky. But he was an adept at getting in the way of the ball, and the way he stopped one great shot by Mitchell stamps him as a master. Then Orient had their turn. Twice difficult chances were missed by Bliss, and the goal, in spite of the activity of Hannaford, after all came from the opposite wing. Smith threaded his way past opponent after opponent with deft footwork, and when clear put the ball neatly back to Rennox, who shot hard to beat Hardy after 35 minutes. Stockport struggled hard in the second half, but the Orient half-backs were untiring and Wood always safe. It was a triumph for the defence that Stockport were kept out, but Stockport certainly deserved to share the points. For once in a way the Orient attack lacked its usual fire. Still there was plenty
September 29, 2026 at 7:45 AM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
A correction: 28 August 1921! Not 1928! #lofc #lofcpress
lucycmunro.bsky.social Lucy Munro @lucycmunro.bsky.social · Aug 28
Were you at Clapton Orient v. Bury? Are you "ringed" in this photo from The Sunday Illustrated for 28 August 1928? You may be a bit too late to claim your "prize of one guinea"... (And yes, one of the selected O's fans is a woman. Yes, we've been there for a long time.) (1/4) #lofc #lofcpress #heros
A black-and-white photograph of a football crowd, originally printed in The Sunday Illustrated, 28 August 1928. The people shown are mostly white men, with the occasional woman and boy. Almost all of the people show are wearing hats - these are mostly flat caps but some of the men are wearing homburgs or fedoras and one sports a boater. One man in the foreground wears a sailor’s uniform. Another is smoking a pipe. The heads of two individuals, a young man and a young woman, are circled. The caption reads: “A section of the spectators at the Clapton Orient match. Prizes of one guinea each will be given to the two persons “ringed” in the picture, on proving their identity to the Sports Editor of Sunday Illustrated, whose decision is final. All claims must be made by Wednesday morning to 92, Fleet-street.”
August 28, 2026 at 11:33 AM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
The Evening News for 23 September 1927 reports on the death of long-time Orient goalie Jimmy Hugall, a less celebrated casualty of football's recruitment push during World War I. "Hugall’s death was attributed to internal trouble as the result of being gassed during the war." #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from the London Evening News, 23 September 1927, reading: OLD ORIENT PLAYER DEAD. Hugall, One Time Goalkeeper, Dies in Sunderland. Jimmy Hugall, who used to keep goal for Clapton Orient before the advent of Arthur Wood, died last night at his home in Sunderland. Hugall joined the Orient in 1910. He was a very capable goalkeeper and a good servant of the club, who awarded him a benefit in 1921. Soon after the outbreak of war Hugall joined the Footballers’ Battalion, in which he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. After the war he went back to the Orient, and when he left the Homerton club he had a few games with Durham before he finally threw up active participation in the game to devote his attentions to his licensed house at Sunderland. Hugall’s death was attributed to internal trouble as the result of being gassed during the war.
September 23, 2026 at 6:49 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
Player recruitment, Edwardian-style, as the Orient take out an advertisement in The Manchester Evening News, 7 May 1907:
"CLAPTON ORIENT FOOTBALL CLUB want PLAYERS, all positions.
 State full particulars and terms to Mr. W. Holmes, Mill-fields Road Ground, Clapton, London, N.E." #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from The Manchester Evening News, 7 May 1907, reading: CLAPTON ORIENT FOOTBALL CLUB want PLAYERS, all positions.
State full particulars and terms to Mr. W. Holmes, Mill-fields Road Ground, Clapton, London, N.E.
May 7, 2026 at 5:41 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
And a bonus: "FOOTBALL AGAIN", and how to cool down your overheated O, 1923-style, from The Daily News for 13 August. #lofc #lofcpress
A black-and-white photograph originally printed in THe Daily News for 13 August 1923. It shows two footballers, one of whom is drinking from a bucket. The headline reads “FOOTBALL AGAIN” and a caption reads “One of the players i the match between Clapton Orient and The Rest at Homerton had a long refresher during half-time.
August 13, 2026 at 8:14 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose in The Westminster Gazette’s “SPORT in BRIEF” column for 29 July 1925: “Archibald, the Clapton Orient left-half, is to be operated on for knee trouble.” #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from The Westminster Gazette, 29 July 1925, reading: SPORT IN BRIEF. Interesting Items from All Quarters. Archibald, the Clapton Orient left-half, is to be operated on for knee trouble.
July 29, 2026 at 1:29 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
A glimpse of the Orient's training regime in 1910 - skipping, clubs, and baths - courtesy of The Morning Leader for 13 August. #lofc #lofcpress
A montage of black-and-white photographs of a football team, printed in The Morning Leader for 13 August 1910. The caption reads: “THE CLAPTON ORIENT TEAM TRAINING AT CLAPTON. The upper photograph shows Goffin, Parker and Henderson skipping. The lower one shows the Orient team enjoying their baths. The inset is of Dix (the latest capture from Portsmouth) practicing with the clubs.” There is also a credit: “Photograph by Advance.” The picture of the players skipping shows a stand at the ground at Homerton in the background. Here and in the inset they are wearing long-sleeved shirts with collars, and shorts that almost reach their knees. In the photograph of the players in the bath, they are all smiling except one.
August 13, 2026 at 8:11 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
It’s 21 September 1906, and “Crusader” of the London Daily Chronicle has news of the Orient’s 1-1 draw with Blackpool at Homerton: “if the Orient were outshone in attack in the first half, they showed glimpses of their true form in the second half. The defect discernible in the…” #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from the London Daily Chronicle, 21 September 1906, reading: EQUALISING PENALTY. Clapton Orient Rallied and Drew Against Blackpool. Clapton Orient … 1 Blackpool … 1 Clapton Orient, having played three difficult away matches, made their first appearance before their supporters at Homerton, when they met Blackpool, who, coming with an unbeaten record, exhibited surprisingly good form, and thoroughly deserved to divide the points. The work of the visitors’ forwards in the first half was of such a character that, had it not been for some very smart saves on the part of Bower, the home goalkeeper, they would undoubtedly have secured more than a goal lead at the interval. They were so keen and quiet, they swung the ball about to such purpose, and shot so frequently and so accurately that the Orient defenders must have welcomed the interval. Badeley, the outside left, made some dashing runs, and sent in some fine centres, whilst the inside forwards were so energetic and businesslike in attack that when Weston, the pivot, scored it was only what one might have expected. But if the Orient were outshone in attack in the first half, they showed glimpses of their true form in the second half. The defect discernible in the first half — too much close inter-passing among the inside forwards, even when the two wing men were standing unmarked — was quickly remedied, and one saw the forwards snapping up the neat passes of their clever halves, and advancing now on this wing, now on that, and in such a manner as to upset the calculations of the Blackpool defenders.
September 21, 2026 at 9:36 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
It's 22 September 1893, and The North London Guardian offers an insight into the workings of Orient F.C. "The above club has for the last 3 seasons, been most ably captained by E A Wiggins, who is again selected from 40 members to fill that most important position..." #lofc #lofcpress
A cutting from The North London Guardian, 22 September 1893, reading: ORIENT F.C. The above club has for the last 3 seasons, been most ably captained by E A Wiggins, who is again selected from 40 members to fill that most important position. He is assisted by Joe Curran, a jovial Scotchman. The pen pushing business is to be performed as usual by H G Woods, who has so thoroughly and well managed this department for the last 3 seasons. He is, now that the club intend running three teams, to have an assistant in the person of Sid Williams. There is a very good programme arranged, the chief feature of which is an Easter tour around Kent. The club bids fair to give a good game to all the clubs with whom they are engaged in the Clapton District League, as they are retaining all their old members, as well as one or two good additions. There are vacancies for one or two good players, as well as a few vacant dates in the first team list. Apply to Secretary, H G Woods, 3, Berger road, Homerton, N.E.
September 22, 2026 at 6:46 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
In which the Orient show that an improvisatory approach to training venues is nothing new, as pictured by The Daily Express on 30 August 1929. #lofc #lofcpress
A black-and-white, low-angle shot of a group of seven footballers leaping over a hurdle, originally published in The Daily Express on 30 August 1929. The caption reads: “CLAPTON ORIENT players put the finishing touch to their training by jumping the hurdles used for greyhound racing on the track at Clapton.”
August 30, 2026 at 9:51 AM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
The Derby Daily Telegraph's "By the Way" column for 6 June 1922 carries sad news from Homerton: "For the sixth time in succession burglars have broken into Clapton Orient Football Club offices. This is the dogged spirit of perseverance which spells success in almost any business." #lofc #lofcpress
A headline from The Derby Daily Telegraph, 6 June 1922, reading “By the Way.” in a blackletter typeface, followed by ‘By THOMAS JAY.” in Roman type. A clipping from The Derby Daily Telegraph, 6 June 1922, reading: For the sixth time in succession burglars have broken intoClapton Orient Football Club offices. This is the dogged spirit of perseverance which spells success in almost any business.
June 6, 2026 at 9:17 AM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
An early appearance for the Orient's cricketing wing, and a euphonious list of fixtures in Sporting Life, 30 May 1891: "At Victoria Park, Union Rogers v. Tobacco Plant ... Lily v. Stepney Primrose; Willow v. Undaunted; St. Augustine’s v. Orient; Bective v. Christian Institute." #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from Sporting Life, 30 May 1891, reading: At Victoria Park, Union Rogers v. Tobacco Plant; Holy Trinity v. Shaftesbury; St. John’s v. St. Simon’s; King Edward v. St Simon’s; Lily v. Stepney Primrose; Willow v. Undaunted; St. Augustine’s v. Orient; Bective v. Christian Institute.
May 30, 2026 at 6:05 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
"FOOTBALL CALLING." It's 5 August 1926, a pre-season is well underway. The Daily Express prints this fetching picture of the Orient team preparing to face the fray. #lofc #lofcpress
A black-and-white photograph first published in The Daily Express on 5 August 1926. It shows eight young white men in pale, long-sleeved tops and shorts in a variety of shades, positioned in a semi-circle and jumping into the air. A caption reads: “FOOTBALL CALLING. — Members of the Clapton Orient football team prepare for the coming season.”
August 5, 2026 at 12:11 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
"FOOTBALL PLAYER SUSPENDED." The 1911-12 season is already off to a bad start for the Orient: left-back George Johnson will serve a two-week suspension in September, reports The North London Guardian for 26 May 1911. (1/3) #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from The North London Guardian, 26 May 1911, reading: FOOTBALL PLAYER SUSPENDED. Johnson, the Clapton Orient left back, has been suspended for two weeks, to date from September 1 next, as the outcome of offences in the game between West Bromwich and Clapton Orient at the Hawthorns on April 1st last.
May 26, 2026 at 11:58 AM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
It's 5 June 1922. Orient stalwart Jimmy Hugall is "OPEN FOR ENGAGEMENT" on a free transfer, and is advertising the fact in the "Situations Wanted" column of Athletic News. (I find these adverts oddly moving...) #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from The Athletic News, 5 June 1922, reading: SITUATIONS WANTED. JIMMY HUGALL (GOALKEEPER). CLAPTON ORIENT, OPEN FOR ENGAGEMENT. Free transfer. Address — 4 Moran-street, Fulwell, Sunderland.
June 5, 2026 at 4:11 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
In case any readers in pre-Great-war Lincolnshire were worrying about the recovery of Orient goalkeeper Billy Bower following a knee operation, the Grimsby Daily Telegraph for 11 June 1914 has the answer. #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from The Grimsby Daily Telegraph, 11 June 1914, reading: Bower, Clapton Orient’s goalkeeper, is still an inmate of the London Hospital. An operation has been performed on the injured knee, and this, it is stated, has been quite successful.
June 11, 2026 at 7:51 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
1 March 1920: the Orient have beaten West Ham, and The Daily Express reaches for a Shakespeare allusion. (1/2) #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from The Daily Express, 1 March 1920: West Ham without Puddlefoot are like Hamlet without the Prince, and Hugall had an easy time in the Clapton Orient goal. Although much the better side, the Orient could not score until four minutes from the end, and this goal gave them victory.
March 1, 2026 at 9:28 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
True crime with the Orient, as William Stevens, 13, and Albert Salmon, 12, are up before the beak for stealing - and drinking - two dozen bottles of mineral water from the refreshment bar at Millfields Road. As reported in The Hackney and Kingsland Gazette for 14 September 1908... #lofc #lofcpress
A cutting from The Hackney and Kingsland Gazette, 14 September 1908, reading: BOYS PLUNDER A CLAPTON REFRESHMENT BAR. AN EARLY MORNING DISCOVERY. If the two boys charged at the North London Police-court on Friday drank two dozen bottles of mineral waters, as suggested by the evidence, it is probable that they have already undergone punishment which has more than befitted their crime. The accused were William Stevens, 13, of Gilpin-street, Clapton Park, and Albert Salmon, 12, of Mandeville-street, and the charge against them was that of being concerned together in breaking and entering a refreshment bar at the Orient Football Grounds, Millfields-road, Clapton, and stealing mineral waters to the value of 2s. 6d., the property of the club. Formal evidence was given by Mr. Holmes, the manager, who said that but for the fact that there had been frequent robberies of this kind lately the boys would not have been charged. He did not wish to press the matter now. Mr. Cluer: Do you wish to publish a notice that all boys may steal the club’s mineral waters? The Witness: No. Mr. Cluer: That really is the effect of your suggestion, but I advise you not to publish it unless you determine to fill the bottles with some tartaric emetic. (Laughter.) George Askew, who is employed on the ground, said that he went to the pavilion early that morning and found that it had been broken into. He heard a noise as of mineral water bottles being opened, and on going inside found the prisoners in the act of drinking from bottles. On the floor were two dozen empties. Mr. Cluer: Do you suggest that they had drunk the contents of two dozen bottles? The Witness: All I can say is that the empty bottles were there. The prisoners denied breaking into the building. They were sent to the remand home, and Mr. Cluer advised them to prepare themselves for a good thrashing.
September 14, 2026 at 6:18 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
20 September 1920, and the Orient have revenged themselves on a 6-0 mauling at Stockport, reported by Athletic News. "The Homerton crowd — 12,000 strong despite the weather — kept up an almost continuous chant of 'one, two, three, four, five, six', but the forwards in their...” #lofc #lofcpress
A clipping from Athletic News, 20 September 1920, reading: ONE SHORT OF SIX. But Clapton Orient Completely Turn Tables on Stockport. Clapton Orient … 5 Stockport County … 0 That Clapton Orient did not beat Stockport County by at least as many goals as the latter had scored against them the previous week was due mainly to over anxiety on the part of the attackers, for the visitors’ defence became quite demoralised towards the end of the game. The Homerton crowd — 12,000 strong despite the weather — kept up an almost continuous chant of “one, two, three, four, five, six,” but the forwards in their eagerness to score kicked with all their might when only a touch was required, and so the tally of goals ended at five. Still it was a famous victory, and sent the crowd home very well pleased. In the first half the visitors held their own, and Waterall showed that centre forward is his proper position, while both he Danskin more than once troubled Hugall with severe shots. Only one goal was scored prior to the interval, this being headed by PARKER, after Robson had failed in an attempt to prevent Williams getting in his centre. The same back gave a penalty kick by bringing down J. Tonner illegally, but Hardy saved S. Tonner’s shot. Last season S. TONNER scored four goals with shots from the neighbourhood of the half way line, and just after the interval he put Orient two up with free kick at 30 yards distance, Hardy getting at the ball but dropping it. Just afterwards FORREST kicked the third goal, and then S. TONNER added another from a penalty kick for “hands”, while seven minutes from the finish J. TONNER took the ball through the defence and scored with a well-directed shot. Williams also got the ball into the bet, but the point was disallowed, the referee having blown his whistle too hastily when Parker was tripped just as he passed the ball to the left winger.
September 20, 2026 at 12:57 PM
lucycmunro.bsky.social
“AT HOMERTON. — An anxious moment in front of the Clapton Reserve team’s goal during their trial game. Ten thousand spectators attended.” (Sunday Pictorial, 1921). #lofc #lofcpress
A black-and-white photograph originally printed in The Sunday Pictorial on 14 August 1921. It shows a goalkeeper with his back to the camera, standing on the goal-line. In front of him are a group of outfield players, some in dark shirts and some in white shirts. On the right-hand side, a player in a white shirt looks at the ball, which is high in the sky in the centre of the shot. On the left, a group of players are tussling, partly blocked from view by the goal-post, watched by another player with his back to goal. Behind them is a packed terrace of supporters, separated from the pitch by a white picket fence. The caption reads: “AT HOMERTON. — An anxious moment in front of the Clapton Reserve team’s goal during their trial game. Ten thousand spectators attended.”
August 14, 2026 at 1:26 PM