Another successful evening was enjoyed by everyone who attended our 2025-26 Star Man Awards Presentation Dinner at The Prince Regent Hotel on Sunday evening.
Whilst it is fair to say that things did not go to plan this season following the success of last season, we still had plenty to celebrate in and around the Leyton Orient Family.
Firstly, we congratulated the U17s Academy team for their 4-2 win against Brentford on Tuesday in the Arsenal Academy Cup. Made even better by coming back from 2-0 down. Well done to Adam Lewis and all involved at Leyton Orient Academy, across the age ranges. We look forward to seeing some of you in the First Team in years to come.
Secondly, the Women’s Team – Unfortunately, they were unable to attend as they had a game against their main title contenders, Tooting Bec. The result of which was 10-1 and confirms their promotion to Tier 6 with two games to go. They are currently storming the Greater London Women’s Football League and are unbeaten in the League with a goal difference of 173 and counting and that doesn’t include the Cup runs they have had, getting to the Final in two competitions: one of which (the Capital Women’s Cup) they won by beating Hammersmith 4-0; and the other which takes place on 17 May 2026. Some other highlights of their season include recording an incredible 12 victories with a double-digit goal haul; being able to play several games at Brisbane Road; and of course, reaching the final of two Cup competitions.
Congratulations to the Women’s Team on an extremely successful season and we wish you continued success for 2026/27.
As for the Men’s Team, it was definitely a season of varied performances but after every game a vote is taken either in the Supporters Club for home games or on the Official Supporters coach for the away ones. These votes are recorded and added together to calculate the results across the season to determine your Award winners.
We all had personal favourites who we feel may have missed out through injury this season and who may have stormed it in other seasons. We hope that everyone remains injury free for the future.
We had five Supporters Club awards to present this evening, the first one being:
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – presented by The Bird Family
Last year we introduced a new award, a Special Recognition Award, which is kindly sponsored by The Bird Family in memory of Bill Bird. For those who did not know Bill, he was an O’s fan for over 70 years, supporting them since 1952, and very much enjoyed attending matches at Brisbane Road and in recent years coming to this event.
Your Special Recognition Award winner came to the O’s this summer on a three-year deal, and it would seem that three is his lucky number. His achievements this season of scoring a hat-trick of hat-tricks has placed him in the Orient record books alongside the great Tommy Johnston who did the same in 1957/58 – anyone here remember that?
Along with the hat-trick record he is not only this season’s Sky Bet League One leaving scorer but Golden Boot Winner for the whole EFL – we feel these achievements combined deserve ‘Special Recognition’.
Your Special Recognition Award for 2025/26 in memory of Bill Bird goes to DOM BALLARD
(accepted on his behalf by Theo Archibald)
YOUNG PLAYER AWARD – presented by Andy Gilson and Gareth Platt of The Orient Hour
Thank you to The Orient Hour Presenters for sponsoring this award.
Your Supporters Club Young Player Award winner came to the O’s in the summer on a three-year deal from Southampton after loans at Reading, Blackpool, and Cambridge.
This 21-year-old player made his Orient debut in the Vertu Trophy against Peterborough on the Tuesday night, before making his League debut against Port Vale on the Saturday in which he scored his first of the season. It’s fair to say he has been an ever-present in the team ever since. He definitely has a bright future ahead of him and Leyton Orient supporters are proud to say you are here at the O’s.
Thank you from the supporters for contributing beyond your years to Leyton Orient this season. Keep striving to be the best that you can be. We are confident that you will flourish into a top, top player.
Having made 43 appearances scoring 22 goals.
Your Young Player of the Year Award for 2025/26 goes to DOM BALLARD
(accepted on his behalf by Club Captain, Will Forrester)
AWAY PLAYER AWARD – presented by members of the LOFC Picnic Crew
Thank you to regular away travellers, the LOFC Picnic Crew, for sponsoring this award.
Your Supporters Club Away Player award is voted for by all the hardy souls who travel the length and breadth of the country on the Supporters Club official coach – with a big thank you to Malcolm McCarthy and his team of deputies for stewarding.
This player made an immediate impact to his Orient career, winning the Away MOTM vote for 7 of the first 12 away games. However, he has not made as many appearances as he would have wanted to due to serious injury, but this award shows that when he was able to play, the supporters thought he gave his all to the cause. We look forward to seeing him playing again next season and breaking all the scoring records set this year by Dom Ballard.
Having signed from Millwall in the summer, he has made 23 appearances scoring 9 goals.
Your Away Player of the Year Award for 2025/26 goes to AARON CONNOLLY
MERIT AWARD – presented by Barri Twinn of TheOsZone.com
Thank you to Barri Twinn of TheOsZone.com for sponsoring this award.
Your Supporters Club Merit Award winner signed on loan for the O’s from Lincoln City in 2021/22 and immediately became a Fan’s Favourite.
After having had to sit out the 2024-25 season due to injury, he has paid back the Orient Faithful by coming back quicker and stronger than before.
We are pleased to hear he has triggered a clause in his contract so that another will be offered for next season cos we can also see the worth of this Silky Scotsman.
Having made 24 appearances and scoring 2 goals this season Your Merit Award for 2025/26 goes to THEO ARCHIBALD
STAR MAN AWARD – presented by David Dodd, LOSC Chairman on behalf of Roald Sannes, Move AS
Thank you to Roald Sannes of Move.no for sponsoring this award. Unfortunately, Roald is unable to attend this evening but would like to congratulate all the players on their awards this evening and he looks forward to joining us at future events.
Well, what’s to say about your winner of this award that hasn’t already been said? Last year we said about your Star Man 2024/25, Ethan Galbraith, “let’s hope it’s not quite so long a wait to sign such an emerging talent”. I think we can safely say the Leyton Orient supporters are proud of his achievements and at the age of 21, we hope to see him flourish at the O’s for many years to come. It is always nice to see a player shining a light on Leyton Orient for all the right reasons.
He has single handedly depleted the champagne stock at LOSC with his numerous visits to the Club to collect bottles for his achievements this season, but will this be the last time we will be rewarding you? It will be for this season anyway!
You already have his stats so there is nothing more to say but…… CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR STAR MAN FOR 2025/26 – DOM BALLARD
(accepted on his behalf by Darren Pratley)
As you will see from the photographs above, unfortunately Dom Ballard was unable to attend the event but we wish him every success for his Leyton Orient career and for the future. Congratulations again.
Thank you to TheOsZone.com for providing the stats we have used this evening. Please feel free to visit the website www.theoszone.com.
We hope those who attended enjoyed the evening.
