Former fan favourite Kevin Lisbie says he will always remember Leyton Orient fondly, claiming his stint with the O’s was one of the best times of his life.

The former Jamaica international enjoyed a fruitful four seasons with Orient, notching 48 goals in 125 appearances in all competitions, having initially moved to Brisbane Road as a free agent in August 2011 after leaving Ipswich Town.

Lisbie also played a prominent role as Orient reached the Play-Off final under Russell Slade in 2013/14 as well, notching 18 goals during the campaign, as the O’s just missed out on promotion to the Championship after losing to Rotherham United on penalties.

The striker returned to Brisbane Road for the day just over a week ago, as he was part of the London Legends side which beat a team of celebrities for the Errol McKellar charity match, and the 39-year-old picked out his goal against Port Vale in September 2013 as his favourite memory from his time with the O’s.

He said: “I’ve been at a lot of clubs but my time with Orient was one of the best times of my life. We had a really good team and it’s a real family club. I really enjoyed myself and as you say it helps getting the goals, but we had a really good team here and a lot of people got a lot of goals during my time here. I really enjoyed myself here.

“I remember we went on a run and we won the first 10 games during the 2013/14 season and I think I scored against Port Vale in the last minute to make it eight games in a row. I remember it in that corner very fondly.”

On McKellar, Lisbie added: “I’ve known Errol for 25 years now. So I’ve known him since I was a young boy. He’s almost like my second dad. I know his story and I know we’re here for Martin Ling as well and I know his story. I’m here to support both of them and make sure the day goes well and to obviously raise some money.”

Lisbie left Orient in May 2015 upon the expiry of his contract and it’s fair to say that it has been a tumultuous few years for the O’s since then.

Orient were relegated from the Football League for the first time in 112 years in 2017, having finished rock bottom of League 2 and their long-term future looked far from certain after they appeared in the High Court last June under former owner Francesco Becchetti.

But the O’s are making steps in the right direction both on and off the pitch after Nigel Travis’ takeover last June, with Orient finishing the season strongly under the stewardship of Justin Edinburgh, beating the likes of Wrexham and Gateshead while also holding National League champions Macclesfield Town on their own turf.

Edinburgh guided Orient to a 13th place finish in the National League last season and Lisbie has been impressed with the 48-year-old so far.

He said: “He’s been absolutely brilliant. I think he came in at the right time. He steadied the club when they were almost in the relegation zone and he actually took them so far away from there that I’m sure at one point everyone would have been looking at getting in the play offs. That says it all.

“I know a lot of fans would have wanted them to go back up straight away but I was probably a little more realistic. I think wait till this season and I think they will do really well. It’s a hard league as there are some strong teams in this league. I think the lads are used to it now and I think come next season, the lads will be ready.”