Hundreds of football fans waited more than three hours to pay tribute to their manager.

Justin Edinburgh, who joined Leyton Orient FC in November 2017, was taken to hospital last Monday following a cardiac arrest and died on Saturday, June 8, aged 49.

Dozens of signed shirts, scarves and messages from various clubs, including Tottenham, Huddersfield and Rainham have been placed outside the Brisbane Road stadium following the news.

Season ticket holder, Paul Crouchman, from Hornchurch, Essex, was one of the many supporters who went to pay his respects at the ground on Sunday afternoon.

He said: “He was really down to earth and always readily available.

“Lots of times he was seen talking to fans after games had finished, which you don’t get with many managers today.

The O’s fan even had a photo with the much-respected manager shortly before he died.

“We have had the best 18 months for the club in 15 years.

“I left some flowers and one of my oldest scarves on his seat as a tribute to him.”

Several tearful fans continued to leave flowers with messages of condolence at the home dugout in today’s heavy rainfall.

Mr Edinburgh’s wife, Kerri, and two children, son Charlie and daughter Cydnie, also visited the ground earlier today to view the outpouring of support.

The club's offices are currently shut until Tuesday, June 11 and all scheduled events have been cancelled to allow a period of mourning.

A statement issued on their website says: “The Leyton Orient Supporters’ Club will continue to be open between 10am and 2pm on Monday to allow supporters to write in the book of condolences.

“From Tuesday, the book of condolences will be accessible via the club reception.

“The club wishes to express its continued thankfulness for all the kind words and well wishes from our supporters and the football community worldwide.”

Friends David Lloyd and Olly Rugg, both from Woodford, were some of the several people to come and pay their respects this afternoon.

Orient supporter Mr Lloyd said the past week has been ‘horrible’ for east London supporters.

“The news that broke on Saturday was just numbing. We have had some bad times at this club and this is probably the worst moment.

“He gave not just one, but several generations of Orient fans who haven’t seen success the best days of our lives at the club.

“Five weeks ago a lot of us were on the pitch having their best day of our lives. It’s not why you would want to make a trip to the stadium at this time of year.”

The duo left a bunch of flowers as mark of respect, noting that several florists had sold out of the clubs' red and white colours.

Mr Rugg, a West Ham United supporter, said: “To see the fans even if you don’t support the club, you feel the atmosphere of what the everyone here is going through.

“A few games ago when they beat Harrogate you realised then that they might promoted and it was going to happen.”

Only six weeks ago Leyton Orient celebrated their promotion back to the Football League by winning the National League.

Edinburgh, who played as a defender for Tottenham between 1990 and 2000, went on to become manager for Northampton Town, Gillingham and Newport County.

The 49-year-old was also named manager of the year by National Game Awards following the team's goal-charting season.

Fans have now officially launched a petition to change the name of the West Stand to honour the late manager. It has collected almost 2,000 signatures within two days.

To sign the petition, visit:

www.change.org/p/leyton-orient-fc-rename-the-west-stand-the-justin-edinburgh-west-stand