A statement has been released by the Leyton Orient Fans’ Trust this week

Leyton Orient Fans’ Trust (LOFT) has recently signed up a number of ex-O’s players and staff as new members as part of a recruitment drive to increase its membership and raise the Trust’s profile among supporters.

Many of them household names among the fanbase, with such illustrious former players as Peter Kitchen, John Mackie, Kevin Hales, Wim Walschaerts and Steve Castle already signed up.

LOFT is an independent supporters’ trust for Orient fans, one of many trusts up and down the country under the umbrella of Supporters Direct, whose remit is to promote greater supporter involvement in the wellbeing of football and rugby clubs.

LOFT was recently successful in nominating Brisbane Road, Orient’s home for nearly 80 years, as an Asset of Community Value on Waltham Forest Council’s register.

LOFT has also been pressing for O’s president Francesco Becchetti to meet with supporters so that they can gain a better understanding of his plans for the club, after what has been a tumultuous couple of years on and off the pitch since he took over ownership from Barry Hearn in the summer of 2014.

“We were a little sceptical about the response we might receive, but just a few weeks into the project I have been astonished by the level of support shown to LOFT,” said chairman Doug Harper.

“As one ex-O put it, ‘More than happy to join LOFT and I deem it a great honour in being asked’. I’m grateful to one of our external directors, Mat Roper, who has been leading this recruitment drive.

“The genuine messages of good luck and a willingness to join has been tremendous and with more names in the pipeline this will hopefully be a great boost to not only membership figures and profile, but also to the high regard the trust is held in by ex staff”

The project to introduce LOFT to former players and staff is an ongoing one and any supporters in contact with ex O’s are encouraged to contact Mat by email at pandafanzine1881@gmail.com or via Twitter @Pandamonium1881.

Of course, all Orient fans are encouraged to join LOFT to add their voice to its representation. Membership costs as little as £1 a year on a ‘pay what you can afford’ basis, with LOFT due to hold its AGM on Monday 25 April at the Leyton Orient Supporters Club on Oliver Road– details at www.leytonorientfanstrust.com.