Centre back reflects on watching Orient supporters invade Brisbane Road pitch while he was part of the Colchester United team last season
Leyton Orient defender George Elokobi has praised the O’s supporters for doing everything they could to get the club back in good hands.
The centre back was part of the Colchester United team caught up in a fans protest on April 29 at Brisbane Road.
Orient supporters stormed the E10 pitch and called for previous chairman Francesco Becchetti to leave the club.
It resulted in the game initially being abandoned before play restarted with no fans inside the stadium and, two hours later than expected, the fixture eventually ended.
Elokobi admitted it was amazing to see the O’s supporters take matters into their own hands because they were unhappy with Becchetti.
He said: “I was impressed with what the fans did because they wanted their club to be run properly.
“They wanted success and it has helped them get their club back and you don’t want to see loyal supporters not able to support their team because of how it is being run.
“But we will put that all behind us now as it is history, but hopefully the good times are ahead for the fans again.”
Elokobi will be determined to help Orient return to where they feel they belong – the Football League.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender has quickly endeared himself to the Brisbane Road faithful.
He received a warm reception from them on Saturday at Greenwich Borough where he played 45 minutes.
“The fans have been great already and that was from the minute I signed,” said Elokobi, with a smile.
“After seeing them at Greenwich you can tell they are excited about the season and just as excited as we are.
“We need a good relationship with the fans and we need them to back us and I know they will do that.
“Orient is a happy place to be and hopefully we can all team up and push each other to achieve success.”
Goals from David Mooney and Macauley Bonne helped the O’s claim a 2-1 victory at the DGS Stadium on Saturday.
Steve Davis would have been pleased to see two of his strikers on target to continue their encouraging form.
Elokobi hopes they can take that momentum in the new season, he added: “We all know Mooney is a proven goalscorer.
“With Macauley Bonne, he is trying to find his feet and hopefully come the start of the season the two strikers are flourishing and scoring lots of goals.”
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