LEYTON Orient fans would prefer to remain at their current stadium rather than move to the Olympic Stadium, according to a survey.

About 60 per cent of fans questioned by Leyton Orient Fans’ Trust (LOFT) want to remain at Brisbane Road, Leyton, the group has told the Guardian, while only about 20 per cent would support a move to Stratford.

Chairman Barry Hearn hopes the club could share the Olympic ground with West Ham, despite the Os’ bid being rejected by the London Legacy Development Corporation for commercial reasons.

West Ham has been given preferred bidder status for what would become a 60,000 capacity football and athletics stadium, but Mr Hearn is adamant his club is still in with a chance of co-occupancy.

He believes this and a name change to London Orient are vital to the club’s survival and that West Ham would lure fans away with the promise of Premier League football, but LOFT claims the majority of fans disagree.

Vice-chair James Cassidy said: “Considering our current fanbase, turnover and Orient's available funds for investment, you would have to seriously question whether rattling around in a stadium holding 60,000, where West Ham are committing to huge rents and reconfiguration costs that we don't have, would be a good move for both the Os fans’ experience and the club.

 

“Many Os fans are of the view that West Ham at the Olympic Stadium could well see us pick up some disgruntled Hammers and other Premier League fans who won’t buy into the Olympic theme-park experience and prices.

“With a bit more imaginative marketing of our club to the huge potential spectator base in north east London and beyond, including targeting youngsters and the local community, it is entirely feasible to increase our small crowds at our current stadium to a level where income matches expenditure in the future.”