Leyton Orient majority shareholder David Gandler has outlined a vision for a new stadium in Waltham Forest, describing the club as a blank canvas with potential for hyper-growth in east London.
"We've identified something that we think will achieve our overarching goals," Gandler said. He described the project as a large-scale initiative that would drive thousands of jobs in the area. "There's an opportunity here to build something unique in an area of London where I believe there is a site that can allow us to grow and grow quickly," he added.
Stadium and community plans
Gandler emphasised a commitment to affordability, stating he wants to keep ticket prices flat irrespective of the capital expenditure, which he said would be in the billions of pounds. The project is part of a wider community focus, with the club having signed a second agreement with Waltham Forest last month to explore options for a multi-sport campus. The precise location of the site has not been disclosed.
Youth opportunity focus
The majority shareholder expressed a grave concern over limited job prospects for educated young people across the UK. "We're very focused on youth jobs," Gandler said. "My goal is to ensure that we're able to keep football affordable and give children, parents and grandparents an opportunity to spend time together."
The long-term vision comes as the first team handles a challenging League One season, currently sitting 11th with 10 points from eight games. Their next test is a tough away fixture against second-placed Bradford on Saturday, 10 October. Fans can check the full schedule on the club's fixtures page and view the current standings.
