Leyton Orient 1-0 Cheltenham Town: Justin Edinburgh remembered before opening-day win
Leyton Orient paid tribute to former boss Justin Edinburgh before beating Cheltenham in their opening League Two game.
Former Tottenham full-back Edinburgh died in June aged 49, five days after suffering a cardiac arrest during a visit to the gym and just over a month after leading Orient to the National League title.
Fittingly, it was Josh Wright – the last player signed by Edinburgh – who scored the winning goal to defeat the Robins, who ended the match with nine men.
Veteran striker Luke Varney was sent off for two bookable offences and midfielder Rohan Ince was dismissed shortly afterwards.
Wright had agreed to return to Orient from Bradford before Edinburgh’s death and pointed to the sky after his close-range finish, before celebrating with a shirt with Edinburgh’s name printed on it.
Remembering Justin
Two flags, including one paid for by money raised by two Cheltenham supporters’ groups, were carried around the pitch before kick-off.
A minute’s silence was also held, while home supporters held up banners to create a “JE3” mosaic.
Asked if he thought Edinburgh would have been proud of Orient’s performance, interim head coach Ross Embleton said: “I hope so. We certainly are.”
He told BBC Radio London: “There were any number of players that, had they scored, they would have dedicated it to the gaffer.
“But at the same time, with Josh’s history, coming back here and making his first start in the Football League for us, I’m delighted for him.”
The Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation was set up by his family during the summer.
In June, Edinburgh’s son Charlie told BBC Essex they would campaign to change the law regarding access to defibrillators at sports facilities, and also raise awareness about heart and cardiac issues.
