BIG-NAME clubs in League One strangled the competition and doomed smaller teams to mediocrity, according to the Leyton Orient chief executive.

Matt Porter believes Orient now have a better chance to impress in this campaign, with sides such as Norwich City and Leeds United gone from the division.

He thinks they distorted the contest last season.

And the clubs which have replaced them from the Championship are not as good, he added.

Porter told Guardian Series Sport: “I wouldn't have thought it (League One) will be as polarised as it was last year.

“Then you had two or three teams really struggling, and meanwhile the top six, apart from MK Dons, was pretty much known all season.

“It's fair to say the division has lost a couple of its stronger teams in Leeds and Norwich, and that potentially the sides which have come down from the Championship aren't as big as them,” he said.

That all means that Orient are back in the dream factory, at least for now.

Porter echoed chairman Barry Hearn by stating the bold ambition for the upcoming campaign.

"What would be a good season?" he asked. “Promotion to the Championships through the play-offs.

“I think it will be a lot more even, and that clubs like ourselves will have a lot more chance of pushing up into the top half of the table and near to the play-offs.

“We're aiming to do better than last year,” he insisted.

Boss Russell Slade has made a strong impression upon the squad, revealed Porter.

“We've brought in players and had a high turnaround of playing staff with a new manager who's putting his mark on things.

”Now is always a busy time off the field, what with season ticket renewals and sponsorship which we have to put in place.”

However, stubborn attendances at Brisbane Road, which refuse to rise by much, remain a source of frustration.

Right now Porter's desk is straining beneath the weight of his stacked up in-tray.

But the chief executive just wishes that the Matchroom Stadium’s capacity was put under more strain, more often.

Stellar clubs like Norwich and Leeds, with big travelling support, swelled the coffers last season, when fans crammed into the east stand.

Now they are gone, can Peterbrough and Plymouth Argyle fill the gap?

“It would be nice to have a few more fans from anywhere, we're not fussed at all about where they come from,” admitted Porter.

Some much-needed cash should pour in from upcoming games against Premier League Spurs on Wednesday (July 28), and a televised match against Charlton Athletic next month.

“It’s important for us financially and for our profile,” said Porter. “We get a rights fee, and it gets sponsors more coverage.

“Players have the chance to showcase themselves for a TV audience.”