The Circus Upstairs

In this episode things get really weird: Matt and James talk to stadium announcer Phillip Othen about the time he had to make a half-time announcement sarcastically thanking striker Darius Henderson for turning up late to the game. We discuss Andrea Dossena's arrest for allegedly stealing a pot of honey from Harrods and find out from captain Nathan Clarke why the players had to do their own team talk in the tunnel. Plus, Orient’s form goes from bad to catastrophic and a “mole” in the camp breaks the omertà. 

In this episode Matt and James focus their gaze on the ill-fated TV show – filmed in Albania and broadcast in Italy – in which 12 hopefuls competed to win a contract with the club. We speak to Alessandro Ugo, who directed the show, and hear from captain Nathan Clarke, who was forced to go to Albania to appear on it. We find out what happened to the winners of the show and speak to Matt’s Auntie Carole, who lives in Italy and was one of the handful of people to actually watch it. There are also quite a few bad Nicole Kidman-related jokes but for good reason: Nathan Clarke spent a night out with her. 

In this episode we burn through three Orient managers in the space of weeks and introduce a key character in the psychodrama: CEO Alessandro Angelieri. We hear from his predecessor Matt Porter on how Angelieri got the job and commercial manager Tom Jeffes on some of the hapless CEO’s brainwaves (“Close the club shop!”). Digressions include the bizarre signings of former Liverpool and Italian international Andrea Dossena and 6ft 6in Serie B drop out Gianvito Plasmati; plus the arrival of the handsomest translator/goalkeeping coach/scout in football, Rob Gagliardi. 

In this episode Matt and James look at the early days of Francesco Becchetti’s takeover and talk to outgoing CEO Matt Porter, club captain Nathan Clarke, commercial manager Tom Jeffes and the voice of Leyton Orient, Dave Victor, about how initial optimism quickly turned to alarm. Includes digressions on an ill-fated attempt to sign a Premier League international; racking up a bill at The Dorchester hotel; the public ultimatum given to manager Russell Slade; Becchetti’s uncompromising approach to childcare; and the mystery that was sporting director Mauro Milanese’s hair. 

Coming soon: The Circus Upstairs! The story of how Italian billionaire Francesco Becchetti (almost) put Leyton Orient out of existence. In this new podcast series Orient fans Matt Simpson and James Masters talk to the people on the inside of the club during Becchetti's catastrophic reign.