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By the time it came for a trip to East London in November 2005 it was clear that the season was going to be a travail. Chris Turner had taken over 11 months previously and it had been an unmitigated failure. 41 league games had brought but 5 victories, and we were hardly holding the opposition with 22 defeats in that time. A total of 29 points had been ‘achieved’ from a possible 123. There was little doubt amongst what was, given the circumstances, a reasonable following that afternoon, that a second successive relegation was on the cards and with it a fall into non-league some 18 years after a previous close brush with that cataclysmic drop.

We stood third bottom, propped up by Torquay and Macclesfield, and the visit to Brisbane Road held out little hope, with the ‘O’s’ topping the table, (they were to go on to promotion at the end of the campaign). The previous away game, at Brunton Park, had seen a 6-0 humiliation, and despite a shock victory over Swansea in the FA Cup in the intervening three weeks there was littlle expectation.

The game provided one of those moments that are fondly recalled – not for events on the pitch but off it. Since my previous visit, (20 years earlier), the ground had changed, not out of all recognition, but not far off. Blocks of flats stood like sentinels by each corner flag … possibly a tribute to the increasing gentrification of that part of London, but far more likely a good commercial opportunity as the Olympics, and all the associated development that would come with them, were to be located but a mile or so away.

County fans were billeted in a corner of the Main Stand and just to the left stood one of these blocks of flats. The properties certainly looked pretty good, and afforded an excellent view of the pitch, coming as they did complete with balcony.

Mid way through the first stanza one of the windows opened and out strode a couple of (shall we say) alluring young ladies. Naturally the more hot blooded of the away following were attracted to this wondrous sight and badinage of a somewhat ribald nature occurred. Interest certainly wasn’t rebuffed, and gradually the seats that had been occupied mysteriously became vacant, and within minutes the previous occupants had gained themselves a more comfortable view of the action, and had additionally been furnished with liquid refreshment. Nice work if you can get it!!

It certainly provided a tad more entertainment than we were witnessing unfolding on the greensward on a pleasant late autumn day. Sufficiently entertaining for the Met’s finest to leave their station keeping an eye on the unfortunates who hadn’t made the escape. Within seconds they appeared in said flat and speedily broke up the party. Quite what power or reason they had is beyond me .. but possibly some arcane clause in the planning permission prohibiting drinking in view of the pitch!!.

Whereas that provided some entertainment what was unfolding on the pitch itself came as a surprise to those who were keeping an eye on the main purpose of the trip. High flying Orient took the lead half way through the first half as Michael Raynes diverted a cross shot past James Spencer. It stayed that way until 10 minutes into the second period. A free kick was floated into the Orient box by Harpal Singh where Rob Clare rose, and, with a firm header, planted it into the back of the net. Joy in the corner of the Main Stand. It didn’t last long as the home side re-took the lead 8 minutes later. Slumped in our seats we awaited the inevitable. But within a minute Keith Briggs played the ball out to the left wing and from there Singh put in another superb cross which Jermaine Easter converted with some aplomb. Singh had made two vital contributions – some might say there were precious few more in his other 34 appearances! It gave us a point – which as it turned out was the last gained by Turner before his exit after another 6-0 defeat, this time at the Moss Rose on Boxing Day. More of which here…….

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Memories of trips to Brisbane Road

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THE GAMES

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Where the date is in bold click for highlights of the game

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	Date	Venue	Ground	Competition		F	A	Att:
Sat	26/10/85	a	Brisbane Road	Canon League Division 4 (Tier 4)	W	1	0	2,721
Fri	21/03/86	h	Edgeley Park	Canon League Division 4 (Tier 4)	L	2	3	3,119
Mon	02/03/87	h	Edgeley Park	Today League Division 4 (Tier 4)	D	2	2	1,840
Tue	15/09/87	h	Edgeley Park	Barclays League Division 4 (Tier 4)	L	1	2	2,560
Sat	09/01/88	h	Edgeley Park	FA Cup (Round 3)	L	1	2	4,243
Sat	03/09/88	h	Edgeley Park	Barclays League Division 4 (Tier 4)	D	0	0	1,947
Fri	20/12/91	h	Edgeley Park	Barclays League Division 3 (Tier 3)	W	1	0	2,745
Mon	28/12/92	h	Edgeley Park	Barclays League Division 2 (Tier 3)	D	1	1	6,368
Tue	02/11/93	h	Edgeley Park	Endsleigh League Division 2 (Tier 3)	W	3	0	4,323
Sat	28/01/95	h	Edgeley Park	Endsleigh League Division 2 (Tier 3)	W	2	1	4,250
Sat	08/10/05	h	Edgeley Park	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2 (Tier 4)	D	1	1	3,901
Sat	19/11/05	a	Brisbane Road	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2 (Tier 4)	D	2	2	4,997
Sat	14/03/09	h	Edgeley Park	Coca-Cola Football League – League 1 (Tier 3)	L	0	1	5,835
Sat	19/09/09	h	Edgeley Park	Coca-Cola Football League – League 1 (Tier 3)	W	2	1	4,091

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