Leyton Orient Supporters Club, Leyton, E10

Modern football club bar in the redeveloped stand at the far side (Oliver Road) of the ground specializing in ale. I was here during matchday as an away fan and after making sure we arrived suitably early to be allowed entry before it filled up (£1 or free with your CAMRA card) went in to enjoy. The clean and tidy interior has, as to be expected, lots of interesting O’s history and paraphernalia which are well-worth a read. An item that caught my eye was the rather nice bespoke carpet featuring the club’s crest woven into it. Rammed both before and after the game, a friendly atmosphere pervaded with home and away fans mixing freely in a relaxed atmosphere. TV’s showed the early Premier League kick-off and (inevitably) the results coming in on SKY Sports. A large amount of ales (I forgot to count exactly how many but it was 6+) well-sourced from micros; I was told by one of the committee members that Oscar Wild Mild is a regular favourite amongst the line-up and also that all bar profit goes to club – a sizeable amount per season! Also a decent amount of cider and perry, though these were the more mainstream varieties from the likes of Westons. Cheap as chips too – two pints and a filled roll came to £8.10. I had four of the six ales (though over the course of the day I think at least four came and went so at least 10 were available at some point) and all were in A1 condition. There were plenty of staff and even in the scrum of post-match at the bar (as an away fan you’re the last in because of the walk round) the wait was only a couple of minutes. Despite a 0-2 vanquishing, it’s one of the finest away days out I’ve experienced – all rather lovely. Why don’t more clubs (eg mine!) do this?

This is a different bar to the one I went to over fifteen years ago and is a fair bit bigger and more comfortable. They were holding a Cornwall themed beer festival with free admission (CAMRA branches take note). I tried three American style "new wave" beers all around the 6% ABV mark and all in good condition at £3.00. I had never seen or heard of most of the beers that were on and I was happy to see that they hadn't included Tribute or Doombore. I have to say I enjoyed my visit here, but if I came here on a match day or an evening when they were showing a big football game I probably wouldn't like it at all so I will not officially rate it. However, on a beer festival day it's definitely worth a 9!

I visited this well regarded supporter’s club and champion of real ale prior to Leyton Orient’s recent fixture against AFC Bournemouth. As you might expect, the place was packed, but I was pleased to find it was relatively easy to get served once the crowds between front door and bar had been negotiated. I was required to pay a £1 admission fee as a non-member, and I presume a similar arrangement would apply for visits on non match days as well. The club comprises one large room, with Leyton Orient carpeting throughout and the inevitable football memorabilia on the walls. A number of TV screens were showing the afternoon’s early kick-off and there was a friendly, community feel to the place which many such football bars tend not to generate. As the weather was fairly good, I took my pint outside where there is a raised area which acts as overspill and was good for people watching as fans went past towards the turnstiles. There were six ales on hand pump, all from micro breweries from across the UK. They were also serving Mighty Oak Oscar Wilde Mild, as a bloke next to me ordered several pints of it, but I couldn’t see where it was poured from. I tried a pint of Deeply Vale Still Walking, a new brewery to me, which was well kept and good value for the regulars at £2.90. Regular beer festivals are held throughout the year. This is a great example of how a well run supporters club can engage the local community and provide them with a fantastic facility. I’ve always put off giving this place a try in favour of the some of the excellent pubs around Leyton, but I’ll be back again next season and I’m tempted to drag someone from the AFC Bournemouth catering team with me so they can see what a proper supporter’s bar looks like.

Leyton Orient Supporters Club official site - www.orientsupporters.org

An example that all other Footbal Supporters clubs should follow. Range of cracking real ales available, all in excellent condition

Leyton Orient Supporters Club official site - www.orientsupporters.org