THE NEW business club for the East London and Essex region was launched at Brisbane Road by O's chairman Barry Hearn.

Over 50 businesses were represented at the breakfast meeting with a similar number offering apologies for absence and a number of the interested parties took the opportunity to take a guided tour of the new facilities with the Orient chairman.

Friends of the Orient is designed to promote mutual trade between its members and the local community by using their interest in sporting activities as a common factor.

We hope that by increasing business relationships we will help the football club become more successful such that it is once again a focal point for the local community.

New members are joining FOTO every day. There is a new website dedicated to the business club - www.friendsoftheorient.com.

Membership is free to all!

The next meeting will commence before the start of the new season in the West Stand at Brisbane Road. Anyone wishing to attend should e-mail Chris Pope on c.pope@leytonorient.net