Originally formed by members of the Glyn Cricket Club. They played football under various names, became Clapton Orient in 1890, and joined the football league in 1907. Their name finally became Leyton Orient after WW2.
According to the club's historian, Neilson N. Kaufman, the club was named Orient in 1888 at the behest of a player, Jack R. Dearing, who was an employee of the Orient Steam Navigation Company.
The club's crest features two wyverns (bipedal winged dragons) facing each other over a football.
26 October 2020: East London and West Essex Guardian published an article about a war memorial raised in France "10 years ago this week". "A momentous chapter in Leyton Orient FC's history has been immortalised with the unveiling of a memorial to footballers who fought and died in the First World War. The 1.75-metre high stone plaque has been erected by the Football League near the Somme in France to commemorate the men who fought in the conflict's 'Football Battalions', which were comprised entirely of players, staff and fans from clubs up and down the country. Clapton Orient – as the O's were known until the 1940s – played a key part in these unique fighting forces, as it was the first team to sign up its entire squad."
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
