Leyton Orient legend John Mackie admitted seeing the ‘R’ sign next to the east London side was disappointing.

Mackie played for the O’s from 2004-2007 and made 112 appearances, scoring 11 goals, before he was released at the end of the 2006/07 season.

He is most recognised for captaining the Os to their first automatic promotion, into League One, for 36 years.

But only 11 years later, the Os have now been relegated into the non-league for the first time in 112-years.

“To say Leyton Orient are now a non-league club is quite scary,” said the 40-year-old. “But hopefully there has got to be some light at the end of the tunnel for the club.”

Last week it was revealed the stewarding company, Centre Circle Events Management, were still yet to be paid despite it being believed they had been almost three weeks ago.

The E10 club and the creditors are due to appear in High Court on Monday, June 12 after the O’s were given a stay of execution from the judge.

Owner Francesco Becchetti has paid off all remaining debt for HMRC but future plans still remain uncertain.

No plans for pre-season have been confirmed and it is unsure whether Orient will keep some players or sign new ones as of yet.

The former Brentford player said: “I don’t know the financial side of what is actually owed or what he wants to do.

“He doesn’t come out and say anything. If a company is coming out and saying we have not been paid, we need to take that as gospel.

“Whether someone will come in and pay off the debts is another thing. The problem with nothing being said, someone will make something up.

“Like I said before, something needs to be said from the club to say whether they are selling it or not.”

And when asked how important it was that the 37-year-old Orient boss was making his plans come into fruition Mackie said: “He is just busy doing what any manager would be doing at this time of the year.

“For him it is a little bit different as he doesn’t know whether he is staying or where he is going to be.

“Omer is just trying to do his job as best as he can in very difficult circumstances.

“But it cannot be easy for him as he doesn’t know the situation regarding the players in terms of who is staying and who he can bring in, he has not been able to speak with the president.

“It just must be a tough situation but he is doing a great job.”

It has been no secret that the Greenwich Borough assistant manager, along with another former Orient player and Borough manager Gary Alexander, one day want to be in the hot seat at Brisbane Road.

But the ex Reading defender was clear they did not want to step on anyone’s toes.

“It is no secret but Omer is a good friend of mine and Gary’s,” Mackie added.

“We are not going to throw our names around and we both have an affection for the club.”

“However, at the moment, we are focusing on Greenwich.

“Our aim is to get them promoted and from there we will see what happens. We may receive some interest along the way. not just from Orient, but our main priority is Borough. Like I said, we have an affection for the club but we are not going to throw our names about.

“We Like Omer, we think he is doing a great job, so maybe this will be one in the distant future rather than in the meantime.”

Mackie is also taking part in the Leyton Orient Fans Trust (LOFT) match this Saturday.