Leyton Orient receives ‘Best Project with Player Involvement’ award

Leyton Orient receives ‘Best Project with Player Involvement’ award

The football club’s trust took home the title of ‘Best Project with Player Involvement’ at the recent National League Trust awards.

Danny Macklin, chief executive of Leyton Orient Football Club, and Howard Gould, club liaison officer, accepted the award from Brian Lee, chairman of The National League Trust, on behalf of the LO.

The pair accepted a trophy and a cheque for £5,000 at a ceremony in the club’s training ground in Leyton’s Brisbane Road, as players looked on.

During the 2017/18 season, the O’s players made more than 200 appearances in the community, engaging with over 1,500 people, including schoolchildren and hospital patients. They also came out in support of a number of national awareness days and were involved in ”Coping through Football”, a mental health project.

Mr Gould said: “We’re very proud and pleased to receive this award for our work in the community.

“A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to ensure players are matched with relevant community projects, and this has proved highly successful.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the players and the club for their continued support with this programme.”

Mr Lee praised the trust for its “significant job” delivery a “very extensive programme” that benefited people of all ages and those suffering from mental health problems.

He added: “Awards like this are so important because they highlight the community activities of clubs.

“None of which would be possible without the support of the Premier League and the Professional Footballers’ Association who give us our annual grants and we make sure that money is distributed around the country.”