“We’re on our way to the Football League” a few Leyton Orient fans chanted behind the goal before Brisbane Road was half full on Saturday. They only repeated it three times before trailing off. It was a little awkward, and out of character.

Pessimism had crept in as the days ticked down to the historic clash against Braintree Town on the 46th and final day of the Vanarama National League season. Even on the chilly game day, the ground was infested with frostiness where there could have been elation. You could see it on their faces, fans and club officials straining to keep the excitement concealed. ‘Not yet,’ they thought.

The scenario they worried of was farcical. The two teams trailing by three points were Salford City and Solihull Moors. For Salford - closest on goal difference - to be crowned, they had to win. But their victory would only matter if the already relegated Braintree thrashed Orient by five goals.

Orient had conceded 35 goals in their 45 league games. The Essex side’s three-game winning run aside, why the stress?

O’s captain Jobi McAnuff understood: “We saw the pessimism this week. It’s natural given the experiences the fans have had with losing finals and missing promotion.”

The 2014 League One play-off final loss - 4-3 on penalties to Rotherham United at Wembley - hurt. It was the beginning of Orient’s rapid descent, culminating in their relegation from the Football League after 112-years, thanks to the erratic ownership of Francesco Becchetti. It was a run that would make a pessimist out of any fan.

The nervous chatter was cut off as the referee blew his whistle, swapped for an invigorating roar from the 8,241. Orient settled into composed dominance, with the choice of chants from the stands deliberately avoiding anything presumptuous. Balloons and beach balls spilled onto the turf as the only hint of pending triumph.

The loyal crowd never fell silent, but a lack of threat from the visitors and the steely professionalism of Orient kept things calm.

The noise was deafening when MacAuley Bonne hit the back of the net after 60 minutes. It was ruled offside, but there were more cheers as news spread of Hartlepool United coming from behind to lead 3-1 against 10-man Salford. Even if Orient lost, it wouldn’t matter now.

“We are going up, say we are going up.”

Finally there was an acceptance, and the relief, disbelief and pride swelled into a special atmosphere in the final 15 minutes.

Brisbane Road and Orient’s last game in League Two ended with four empty stands. The final minutes were played behind closed doors when the game was delayed by two hours after fans stormed the pitch and stood, glaring at the directors’ box.

The stands were empty too at the finish of this final game in non-league, save for some pensioners. Fans again invaded the pitch, congregating in the centre to face the directors box.

This time they smiled. Status Quo’s ‘Rockin’ All Over The World’ blared, players were lifted onto shoulders and McAnuff - buried at the centre of the deep crowds - lifted the title. Comeback complete.

Owner Nigel Travis joined the victory lap, and while players were applauded the lifelong Orient fan and CEO was mobbed by hundreds, desperate to thank the man who rebuilt their club.

Watching the celebrations unfold, you saw a true people’s club - the like that is now rarer than the game would like to admit. Speaking on the pitch after jubilant fans had spilled into the streets to blast car horns and begin their night, Justin Edinburgh paid tribute to the long suffering O’s support: “They’ve got back something for what they have suffered over the last five years.”

McAnuff, whose first spell at the club ended when his contract was not renewed in 2016, before returning after Orient’s League Two relegation, said: “From the moment I came back I saw it was back, the difference was like night and day.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the fans for their patience, particularly last year allowing us to build something.

“This was how we all wanted it to end, at home with a full house. Every single game they have been there in numbers. They deserve it.”

Orient are back, and football smiles.

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