LOFT holding a pre-arranged meeting tomorrow at Leytonstone & District Ex-Servicemens Club for members

Leyton Orient Fans’ Trust believe the reaction of president Francesco Becchetti to the petition to wind up O’s will offer a clear indication of his seriousness at selling the Brisbane Road club.

The east Londoners fell to a third consecutive defeat last night at Stevenage and are now six points from safety.

Orient remain 23rd in League Two and were met with news this morning that HM Revenue and Customs have issued a petition to wind up the O’s.

A statement on the LOFT website, read: “A petition to wind up Leyton Orient Football Club Ltd has today been posted in the official Gazette.

“While the details (and in particular the amount) of the debt owed to HM Revenue and Customs is as yet unknown, it is clear that the club is late in paying a tax bill of some nature.

“Winding-up orders are not uncommon in football clubs - Hartlepool United were recently served their third such order in 8 months.

“However, how the club’s owner Francesco Becchetti reacts to this winding-up order will be a clear indicator of his seriousness at selling the club as a going concern.

“If he settles the bill before the hearing date of 20 March then there remains a chance that the club can be sold to new owners.

“If he does not though, then the coming days and weeks may be the most important in Orient’s 116-year history.”

LOFT are holding a pre-arranged Special General meeting tomorrow at Leytonstone & District Ex-Servicemens Club on Harvey Road, E11 3DB.

The meeting will start at 7.45pm with the door open from around 7pm and if you are not able to attend, you can watch online via LOFT’s Facebook page.

Orient Fans’ Trust revealed earlier this week they have drawn up a plan to deal with what they describe as “crisis scenarios.”

LOFT will present their proposals for their members to vote on tomorrow and are hoping to raise funds to potentially help if O’s enter administration or in the worst case scenario set up a phoenix club.

Becchetti revealed, via a statement from CEO Alessandro Angelieri, in January he was willing to listen to offers for the club, but has put off buyers by asking for a hefty amount for the east Londoners.

With Orient now facing a winding-up petition, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the O’s.