Latest news with #LeytonOrient
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Leyton Orient release EIGHT players including former Premier League star, 40, after play-off final heartbreak
FORMER Premier League star Darren Pratley has been released by Leyton Orient aged 40. The midfielder had been a stalwart in Richie Wellens' side for the last four years, helping them reach the League One play-offs where they lost in the final to Charlton. 2 2 He turned 40 in April and the club paid tribute to his career, and his contribution to Orient's League Two title win in 2023. Pratley played in the Premier League for Bolton and he made 202 appearances for the Trotters. His best years came at Swansea where he won promotion to the Prem via the play-offs in 2011 - he also won League One with the Swans in 2008. Pratley helped Bolton win promotion from the third tier in 2017, and repeated that feat two years later with Charlton. Orient have released seven other players, including another ex-Bolton star Randell Williams, who joined on a short-term contract in January. Jayden Sweeney, Joe Pigott, Sam Howes, Rhys Byrne, Reon Smith-Kouassi and Thomas Avgoustidis have also been released. While five players have left the club upon the expiration of their loan deals - Tottenham pair Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley, Dillan Markanday, Jack Currie and 27-goal striker Charlie Kelman. Two more players, Theo Archibald and Jordan Graham, will continue at the club on an out of contract basis as they continue their rehabilitation on long-term ACL injuries. Manager Richie Wellens said: 'Each and every one of my players gave me absolutely everything this season, and they have all been a pleasure to work with. 'This group has been special – one of the best I have ever worked with as a player or manager – and that makes these decisions even tougher. EFL club release 'gorgeous work of art' kit and even rival fans want to buy it 'This summer, we will say goodbye to some players who have been with us for a long time, and I can only thank them for their service to our football club. They have played a huge role in our climb up the ladder, and I wish them all the very best for the future. 'Jordan Graham and Theo Archibald put their bodies on the line for us and we will continue to support them throughout their recovery from injury by having them around the training ground. 'I'm looking forward to seeing them both back playing again, be that with us or someone else.'
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Leyton Orient release EIGHT players including former Premier League star, 40, after play-off final heartbreak
FORMER Premier League star Darren Pratley has been released by Leyton Orient aged 40. The midfielder had been a stalwart in Richie Wellens' side for the last four years, helping them reach the League One play-offs where they lost in the final to Charlton. 2 Darren Pratley has been released by Leyton Orient Credit: Getty 2 Josh Keeley and Jamie Donley have returned to parent club Spurs after their loans expired Credit: Getty He turned 40 in April and the club paid tribute to his career, and his contribution to Orient's League Two title win in 2023. Pratley played in the Premier League for Bolton and he made 202 appearances for the Trotters. His best years came at Swansea where he won promotion to the Prem via the play-offs in 2011 - he also won League One with the Swans in 2008. Pratley helped Bolton win promotion from the third tier in 2017, and repeated that feat two years later with Charlton. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Jayden Sweeney, Joe Pigott, Sam Howes, Rhys Byrne, Reon Smith-Kouassi and Thomas Avgoustidis have also been released. While five players have left the club upon the expiration of their loan deals - Tottenham pair Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley, Dillan Markanday, Jack Currie and 27-goal striker Charlie Kelman. Two more players, Theo Archibald and Jordan Graham, will continue at the club on an out of contract basis as they continue their rehabilitation on long-term ACL injuries. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Manager Richie Wellens said: 'Each and every one of my players gave me absolutely everything this season, and they have all been a pleasure to work with. 'This group has been special – one of the best I have ever worked with as a player or manager – and that makes these decisions even tougher. EFL club release 'gorgeous work of art' kit and even rival fans want to buy it 'This summer , we will say goodbye to some players who have been with us for a long time, and I can only thank them for their service to our football club. They have played a huge role in our climb up the ladder, and I wish them all the very best for the future . 'Jordan Graham and Theo Archibald put their bodies on the line for us and we will continue to support them throughout their recovery from injury by having them around the training ground. 'I'm looking forward to seeing them both back playing again, be that with us or someone else.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Pratley, 40, not offered new Orient playing deal
Leyton Orient will not offer 40-year-old Darren Pratley a new playing contract but are in talks with the veteran midfielder about another role, the League One club O's finished sixth in the league this season and reached the play-off final, where they were beaten by London rivals Charlton at was not involved in any of the O's play-off matches but made 43 appearances this season, and 165 in total for the club over four seasons."Darren Pratley has been a huge part of what we have achieved in the last few years," director of football Martin Ling told the club's website, external. "We won't be offering him a new playing contract but would love to keep him in and around us, so are speaking to him about another role. We hope he decides to stay but will respect whatever decision he comes to." Beckles, Agyei and Ball in contract talks Pratley is one of eight players who have been released by the O's at the end of their contracts, along with Jayden Sweeney, Randell Williams, Joe Pigott, Sam Howes, Rhys Byrne, Reon Smith-Kouassi, Thomas Wellens said after the final loss it was "heart-breaking" knowing the squad would be broken up, with loan stars Charlie Kelman, Josh Keeley, Jack Currie, Jamie Donley and Dilan Markanday all returning to their parent clubs."Our loan players have been fantastic this year, and I'm sure that they will all go on to have successful careers, wherever they may end up," Ling Beckles, Dom Ball and Dan Agyei are among the players in contract talks with the Simpson, Noah Phillips and Makai Welch have also held talks."We are in talks with a number of first-team players about new contracts and hope that these players will decide to stay with us," Ling added. "We are building something good at the club and want them to continue being part of it. "It is a very important summer for us, and all the decisions we have made – some of which have been very difficult – have been made with the future of Leyton Orient in mind."
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Torquay United sign free-agent striker Dennis
Torquay United have signed forward Louis Dennis on a two-year 32-year-old joins the Gulls after leaving League Two side experienced former Leyton Orient and Portsmouth forward played almost 200 games for Bromley over two spells and helped them win promotion to the EFL last year. This season he scored two goals in 20 appearances for the League Two is the second new signing for the Gulls after they brought in midfielder Munashe Sundire after he was released by will hope Dennis can help them bounce back from losing in the National League South play-off semi-finals.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Orient loan stars 'difficult to replace'
Leyton Orient's loan stars, such as League One top scorer Charlie Kelman, Jamie Donley and goalkeeper Josh Keeley, will be hard to replace, says former O's midfielder Jobi Wellens' side were defeated 1-0 in the League One play-off final by Charlton Athletic, with 11 of the 18-strong matchday squad either on loan or out of contract this described the feeling as "heartbreaking" that he would not get to work with this current squad again as he reflected on the defeat at joined the club in March 2022 and won the League Two title the following year, he will now have to rebuild his squad again before his third full season begins in August."It's never helpful to have as many [players on loan] because every season you're having to restart again," McAnuff said on BBC Radio 5 Live's 72+ podcast."Jamie Donley the most assists, Charlie Kelman the most goals – that's already gone out [of] your team, so that is really difficult to replace." Kelman top-scored in the the league this season, with 22 goals, scoring a 23rd in the first leg of Orient's semi-final victory over Stockport County and a further four in other is set to return to his parent club Queens Park who has eight goals and 11 assists to his name, is due to head back to Tottenham along with goalkeeper Keeley, who made 45 appearances and scored a memorable FA Cup goal against Jack Currie is also set to leave, with his loan from Oxford United consortium GSG LOFC Limited completed a takeover of Leyton Orient in April to bring in new funds, with Nigel Travis continuing as who made 119 appearances for the O's, believes the club is in a healthier position than after their last League One play-off final defeat, in were beaten by Rotherham on penalties at Wembley and then relegated to League Two the following season, before dropping down to the National League two years later."I think there will be a hope of maybe getting some longer-term signings made," McAnuff, who won the National League title with the club in 2018-19, added. "One of the downsides of getting to a play-off final is you have less time to prepare, there's clubs who have already been doing a lot of that work, they've been making offers to players, maybe contracts are already signed."So there is a bit of catch-up to do but I think the club's in a really good place to move forward and it's an exciting place to be at Leyton Orient; fantastic club, lovely stadium and shown it can compete at the very top end of League One."
