THERE IS no Christmas cheer at Leyton FC as the club endures what insiders say are its darkest ever days.

If the Ryman Division One North outfit are Santa’s sleigh, then there is a force-nine gale blowing which is buffeting it from all directions.

Beset by problems off the pitch, there has been little to warm the cockles on it this season for London’s oldest established football club.

A string of managers have failed to mould a winning team from a bloated squad of players.

This week, board member and spokesman Barry Abbott was candid.

“It’s pretty dire right now” he admitted to Guardian Series Sports. “We seem in free-fall. We’re in a state of flux and at the lowest point we have been for years.”

Last weekend brought no respite.

Stand-in boss Ivan Persuad presided over yet another defeat as Leyton lost 2-1 to Potters Bar Town, to stay rooted near the foot of the table.

Club insider Persuad has stepped into the breach while a new manager is found.

“We’re hoping to have a replacement within the next week” said Abbot, ahead of Saturday’s trip to promotion chasing East Thurrock Utd.

“We are close to finalising a new appointment with a new long term vision for the club which should bring a lot of stability.”

And Abbott believes the future IS bright for Leyton FC, as the club looks to rediscover its roots in the community.

“Sure, we’ve had a terrible first half of the season” he said. “But we are sticking to the same set of players now.”

“We have got young talent at the club, we’re going with a very local team of young players, not journeymen. The club has an affinity with the area and these boys want to make a mark."

He was adamant that Leyton will not fold.

“That will not happen. We have a 15 year lease on the ground and do not owe anyone money. How many clubs can say that?”

Elsewhere in Division One North, Waltham Forest boss Phil Miles wants to build upon Saturday’s 1-0 win at Chesnut. Now Forest are unbeaten in three.

Stags new-boy Peter Smith scored on his full debut. That result eased the pain of exiting the Ryman League Cup last Wednesday, 1-0 to Canvey Island.

“Smith has got experience and he scores goals” said Miles. “We could have scored three or more.”

Ex-Barcelona defender Samuel Okunowo, 30, played and impressed too.

“It’s taking him a while to get used to people swearing on the touchline” said Miles. “But I tell him, he’s not in Camp Nou now”

Forest played Enfield Town on Tuesday night.

In the Ryman Premier, Waltham Abbey narrowly lost 2-1 to leaders, Dartford.

The Abbots are in the danger-zone going into Saturday’s clash with Tooting and Mitcham Utd.

On Tuesday night, Abbey took on Wingate and Finchley in round four of the Essex Senior Cup.