Leyton Orient’s preparations for the new season have been boosted after a number of key members of staff, including Martin Ling and Ross Embleton, extended their contracts with the club.

Ling and Embleton, as well as chief scout Steve Foster and physio Ketan Patel have all agreed new two-year deals at Brisbane Road.

They have also been joined by Danny Webb who takes up a new role as development coach within the O’s first team environment.

All five members of staff now have contracts which reflect current head coach Justin Edinburgh’s existing deal in East London.

Ling returned to Orient as director of football last summer shortly after the O’s takeover by Nigel Travis and is in charge of the day-to-day running of the club as well as recruitment.

The O’s former boss had his work cut out when he returned to the Breyer Group Stadium having practically had to build a squad from scratch, with just nine players on the club’s books and no manager when he walked through the door.

But it’s fair to say that Orient are in a much stronger position this time around, with a stable squad and an experienced manager in the shape of Edinburgh in charge at the moment.

Embleton, meanwhile, has spent the past year as the O’s assistant coach, initially working alongside Steve Davis, before serving under Edinburgh for the rest of the 2017/18 season.

The former Swindon Town coach returned to East London last summer having previously worked as Orient’s youth development manager during Ling’s time at the helm.

O’s head coach Edinburgh was delighted to secure the signatures of five key members of staff and is looking forward to working with them once again over the course of the coming season.

Speaking to Leyton Orient’s website, he said: “It’s a fantastic decision by the board to extend my team’s contracts. I came into the club open-minded, willing to work with everyone, and I have been absolutely blown away with their work ethic, their support and knowledge and their vision which we all have going forward which is to be successful as one. 



“I’d like to place on record my thanks to all of the staff because it is a tough job and without them it wouldn’t be possible so I’m glad we’re all seeing the same vision and working together going forward for the same success.”