LEYTON Orient has become the first professional football club to support a campaign calling for more resources for the British armed forces.

The club this week announced its backing for the United Kingdom National Defence Association’s (UKNDA) Support Our Armed Forces campaign, which is calling for more help for “Britain’s hard-pressed and chronically over-stretched armed forces.”

The move means Leyton Orient club members and supporters can join UKNDA for a discounted rate, and existing UKNDA members can enjoy Orient club facilities free of charge on match days and in the evening.

There will also be a number of fundraising events at the club.

David Dodd, Leyton Orient director, said: “We are delighted to support the UKNDA’s campaign in support of Britain’s armed forces.

“Leyton Orient has a long connection with the British Army going back to the First World War.

“In recent years the supporters’ club has forged strong links with the Royal British Legion in arranging services of remembrance and visits to the Somme battlefields in France.

“We look forward to working with UKNDA and can assure members of a warm welcome whenever they visit Leyton Orient.”

During the First World War players from the club, which was then called Clapton Orient, enlisted en masse.

A total of 40 players served on the Western Front, including the team captain Fred ‘Spider’ Parker.

Three were killed in 1916 at the Battle of the Somme – Company Sergeant Major Richard McFadden (who won the Military Medal), and Privates William Jonas and George Scott.

Stephen Jenkins, a lifelong Os fan and author of They Took The Lead, an account of Orient’s First World War involvement, welcomed the club’s support for the campaign.

He said: “In the current climate the armed forces are over-stretched and it is great Orient is the first club in the country to back the campaign.

“It puts the club on the map and hopefully others will follow.”

The UKNDA says defence spending is at its lowest since the 1930s, despite the number of British combat operations being at its highest since the 1950-53 Korean War.

Commander John Muxworthy, UKNDA chief executive, said: “I hope that this will be the beginning of a fruitful relationship between UKNDA and Leyton Orient FC.”