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LEYTON ORIENT IN HARLOW MOVE?
By Alan Scott
HARLOW Town chairman Simon Morgan and Harlow MP Bill Rammell have condemned speculation linking Leyton Orient FC with a shock move to Harlow.
Radio and news media have picked up on the rumours indicating a bold switch to Essex for the struggling League One club.
Harlow has been identified as a prime location due to its proximity with much of Orient's fan base and excellent road and rail links to the capital.
But MP Rammell, a vice-president at Harlow Town FC, believes any relocation would be unworkable. "As a passionate football fan, I believe football clubs are about the communities they are rooted in. Leytonstone is not Harlow.
"I would need a lot of persuading that it would be sensible or desirable for Orient to move to Harlow.
"We also have a thriving football club of our own, which with my support has through the Government's Gateway development got a great new stadium."
He added: "It is also not at all clear to me where Orient would move to in Harlow."
The O's have been hit by a big dip in attendances and it has been reported that a relocation to a site out of London could be on the cards to preserve the long-term survival of a club once home to famous names such as England winger Lawrie Cunningham.
Much of the O's support is believed to be from the Harlow, Epping and Brentwood areas, even stretching up as far as Bishop's Stortford.
Hawks chairman Morgan told Star Sport that Harlow Town's ground at Barrows Farm simply could not cater for Orient, whose average attendances have dropped to below 4,800.
"Our stadium would not be suitable for a Football League club," said Morgan. "It's pure speculation. The roads would not be able to take it."
A site close to the M11 motorway might be the only possible destination for Orient, but planning permission could prove difficult for the club, owned by entrepreneur Barry Hearn.
Orient's size and stature would appear to rule out a ground share with Harlow Town FC. The capacity at Barrows Farm is 3,000.
"Parking would be a major problem," added Morgan.
Orient have played at Brisbane Road for 70 years but are struggling to attract new fans.
Few E10 residents follow the club which is struggling in the bottom six this season. Crowds are down 500 from the 2007-08 season.
However, Harlow Council welcomed any bid from Leyton Orient to move to the town.
A council spokesman said: "Harlow is a fantastic location that would be great for any club or business wanting easy access to London and the surrounding area.
"We would be delighted if Leyton Orient wanted to move here, provided we were confident it would not harm the local community or Harlow's existing football team, Harlow Town FC."
Leyton Orient FC spokesman Leo Pyrie said: "The club is not making any comment on this story at the moment."
By Alan Scott
HARLOW Town chairman Simon Morgan and Harlow MP Bill Rammell have condemned speculation linking Leyton Orient FC with a shock move to Harlow.
Radio and news media have picked up on the rumours indicating a bold switch to Essex for the struggling League One club.
Harlow has been identified as a prime location due to its proximity with much of Orient's fan base and excellent road and rail links to the capital.
But MP Rammell, a vice-president at Harlow Town FC, believes any relocation would be unworkable. "As a passionate football fan, I believe football clubs are about the communities they are rooted in. Leytonstone is not Harlow.
"I would need a lot of persuading that it would be sensible or desirable for Orient to move to Harlow.
"We also have a thriving football club of our own, which with my support has through the Government's Gateway development got a great new stadium."
He added: "It is also not at all clear to me where Orient would move to in Harlow."
The O's have been hit by a big dip in attendances and it has been reported that a relocation to a site out of London could be on the cards to preserve the long-term survival of a club once home to famous names such as England winger Lawrie Cunningham.
Much of the O's support is believed to be from the Harlow, Epping and Brentwood areas, even stretching up as far as Bishop's Stortford.
Hawks chairman Morgan told Star Sport that Harlow Town's ground at Barrows Farm simply could not cater for Orient, whose average attendances have dropped to below 4,800.
"Our stadium would not be suitable for a Football League club," said Morgan. "It's pure speculation. The roads would not be able to take it."
A site close to the M11 motorway might be the only possible destination for Orient, but planning permission could prove difficult for the club, owned by entrepreneur Barry Hearn.
Orient's size and stature would appear to rule out a ground share with Harlow Town FC. The capacity at Barrows Farm is 3,000.
"Parking would be a major problem," added Morgan.
Orient have played at Brisbane Road for 70 years but are struggling to attract new fans.
Few E10 residents follow the club which is struggling in the bottom six this season. Crowds are down 500 from the 2007-08 season.
However, Harlow Council welcomed any bid from Leyton Orient to move to the town.
A council spokesman said: "Harlow is a fantastic location that would be great for any club or business wanting easy access to London and the surrounding area.
"We would be delighted if Leyton Orient wanted to move here, provided we were confident it would not harm the local community or Harlow's existing football team, Harlow Town FC."
Leyton Orient FC spokesman Leo Pyrie said: "The club is not making any comment on this story at the moment."
