Matt Porter, chief executive of Leyton Orient FC, met with supporter representatives on Friday 15th October at the first of a new 'fans forum' to outline off-the-pitch issues that are currently affecting the club, and ask for ideas and input about how supporters could help with sourcing new fans and improving the matchday experience for existing supporters.

Representatives from the Supporters’ Club, LOFT, and the two long-running fanzines (Orientear and Pandamonium), sat down at the Matchroom Stadium with Matt Porter to have a frank and constructive dialogue.

Issues discussed included:

• An outline update on the Club’s financial position
• Ticketing schemes to attract new fans, including the possibility of the return of the cheap young persons season ticket across the stadium for 'category B' games
• Extending Orient’s appeal to the East London community
• The threat of a Premier League team moving to the Olympic Stadium, less than 1 mile away, which all agreed could spell the end of Orient in Leyton
• The possibility of running a home matchday coach service from various points along a trial Essex “corridor” route
• How volunteer fans could help the club to improve both supporters/community liaison and the matchday experience
• Non-matchday income and other fund-raising initiatives that might help the club

It was agreed that a regular fans forum with club management about non-playing issues would be held in the future, and that any supporters with any ideas or issues could get their views heard by contacting any of the parties involved in the ongoing discussions. Supporters are also encouraged to register their interest in helping the club with the volunteer positions mentioned above.