The Guardian is giving its full backing to the fantastic efforts of the Leyton Orient Fans Trust to save Orient.

We are calling on owner Francesco Becchetti to sell to a buyer capable of returning the club to its rightful stature.

In May 2014, Orient were a penalty kick away from reaching the Championship, English football’s second tier, before falling at the final hurdle in the League One play-off final at Wembley.

At the end of the season, former owner Barry Hearn sold the club to Italian energy magnate Mr Becchetti and the O’s future looked bright.

Since the departure of long-serving manager Russell Slade, ten coaches have come and gone in the space of less than three years.

The club was relegated to League Two in 2015 and now sits bottom of the table - set to fall out of the Football League for the first time since 1905.

With a string of creditors revealed at this week’s High Court hearing, there is a real chance Orient could be liquidated before the start of next season. 

Much like the O’s, the Guardian has been a part of the community for generations and we will not stand aside while the club fades from existence.