National League side Leyton Orient has been bought by business consortium Eagle Investments 2017 Ltd., "ending Francesco Becchetti's controversial reign at the club," according to Lyall Thomas of SKY SPORTS. Nigel Travis, who heads Eagle Investments, will take over as chair and his board of directors "will include a supporters' representative." The outgoing Becchetti "oversaw a dismal slide" from League One promotion contender in '13-14 to non-league football following a season in which players and staff "went unpaid for a time" and the club was the subject of a winding-up order. Travis said, "I have been a passionate Leyton Orient supporter for my entire life. And feel a great sense of responsibility to the players, the staff, the fans and the community." Becchetti was "regretful as he parted ways with Orient," but feels the club is "not in as bad a predicament as is made out." Becchetti said, "Over the last two years I have, unfortunately, not been able to dedicate myself to following the club as closely as I would have wanted" (SKY SPORTS, 6/22). The London GUARDIAN reported the price of the deal has not been disclosed. In recent months, the Leyton Orient Fans' Trust raised more than £175,000 ($223,000) "for a regeneration fund to deal with emergency planning and to assist the transition to new ownership" (GUARDIAN, 6/22).
NEW DIRECTOR: In London, Giuseppe Muro reported Leyton Orient named Martin Ling as director of football after Travis completed his takeover from Becchetti. Ling, who managed the club from '03-09, has been "out of football since stepping down as Swindon Town boss" in '15 for health reasons. The 50-year-old will "lead the process of appointing a new manager and building a squad for the National League next season" (EVENING STANDARD, 6/23).
NEW APPLICATION: In London, Ned Keating reported Leyton Orient Manager Omer Riza has been told he must reapply for the job "if he wishes to be considered for the post for the new season." Following the takeover, the 37-year-old met with Ling and interim CEO Marshall Taylor. A statement from Riza said, "I have made the decision to apply for the role of first team manager based on the support, passion and drive shown by the players, staff and fans" (EAST LONDON ADVERTISER, 6/24).
