Leyton Orient’s – A Remarkable Turnaround to the Play-Offs-Leyton Orient Football Club, affectionately known as the O’s, has delivered one of the most inspiring stories of the 2024-25 EFL League One season. From languishing in the relegation zone in December 2024 to securing a sixth-place finish and a play-off berth, their resurgence under manager Richie Wellens has captivated fans. As of May 12, 2025, with the season concluded and the play-offs looming, supporters are buzzing on YouTube and Google, searching for “Leyton Orient standings 2024-25 EFL League One,” “Leyton Orient play-offs,” and “Richie Wellens manager of the season.” This 2500+ word article explores Leyton Orient’s standings, key performances, historical context, and the questions fans are asking, drawing from the latest web sources and social media sentiment.

Overview: The 2024-25 EFL League One Season

Structure and Stakes

The 2024-25 EFL League One, branded as the Sky Bet League One, is the 21st season under its current title and the 33rd in its third-tier format, running from August 9, 2024, to May 25, 2025, per Wikipedia [web:3]. Featuring 24 teams playing 46 matches each, the top two secure automatic promotion to the EFL Championship, third to sixth enter the play-offs for a third promotion spot, and the bottom four face relegation to League Two, per Sky Sports. Leyton Orient, in their second consecutive League One season, defied expectations to finish in the play-off places, per Goal.com [web:20].

Final League One Standings

As of May 3, 2025, after 46 matches, Leyton Orient finished sixth, per ESPN [web:11] and Sofascore [web:23]. The top eight standings, per ESPN [web:11]:

Birmingham City (C, P): 95 points, 46 matches, 28 wins, 11 draws, 7 losses, +42 GD

Wrexham (P): 88 points, 46 matches, 26 wins, 10 draws, 10 losses, +37 GD

Stockport County (Q): 80 points, 46 matches, 23 wins, 11 draws, 12 losses, +28 GD

Wycombe Wanderers (Q): 78 points, 46 matches, 22 wins, 12 draws, 12 losses, +25 GD

Charlton Athletic (Q): 76 points, 46 matches, 21 wins, 13 draws, 12 losses, +20 GD

Leyton Orient (Q): 74 points, 46 matches, 21 wins, 11 draws, 14 losses, +18 GD

Huddersfield Town: 72 points, 46 matches, 20 wins, 12 draws, 14 losses, +15 GD

Blackpool: 70 points, 46 matches, 19 wins, 13 draws, 14 losses, +12 GD

Rules: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points; 8) 12-point sending-off offences, per Wikipedia [web:3]. Leyton Orient’s 74 points, secured with a 3-1 win over Shrewsbury Town on May 3, 2025, clinched sixth place, per LeytonOrient.com [web:4].

Season Context

Leyton Orient’s sixth-place finish, their best since 1981-82 (5th in Division Two), marks a dramatic turnaround from their 11th-place finish in 2023-24, per Wikipedia [web:7]. Their 63 goals scored and 45 conceded reflect a balanced attack and defense, per Sofascore [web:23]. The season saw Birmingham City dominate with 95 points, while Wrexham’s Hollywood-backed promotion added glamour, per Goal.com [web:20]. Leyton Orient’s play-off qualification, per X post @leytonorientfc [post:0], has fans dreaming of a Championship return after 43 years.

Leyton Orient’s 2024-25 Journey: From Relegation Threat to Play-Off Contenders

Early Struggles

Leyton Orient’s season began poorly, with only 15 points from 18 matches by November 30, 2024, placing them 21st in the relegation zone, per X post @NTT20Pod [post:2]. Losses like 3-0 to Birmingham City and 2-0 to Wrexham exposed defensive frailties, per Sofascore [web:23]. Fan frustration peaked on X, with @bluewhitewall noting “relegation fears” after a 2-1 defeat to Exeter City on November 23, 2024.

The Turnaround

From December 1, 2024, Leyton Orient transformed, earning 38 points from 15 matches (12 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss) by February 19, 2025, per X post @NTT20Pod [post:1]. Their run included 34 goals scored and 8 conceded, with a 2.53 points-per-game average, second only to Birmingham City, per X post @NTT20Pod [post:1]. Key victories:

Leyton Orient 3-0 Bristol Rovers (December 3, 2024): A clean sheet sparked the streak, per X post @NTT20Pod [post:3].

Leyton Orient 4-0 Barnsley (December 26, 2024): A dominant display, per X post @NTT20Pod [post:3].

Leyton Orient 3-2 Mansfield Town (April 8, 2025): A thrilling comeback, per APWin.com [web:2].

Leyton Orient 3-1 Shrewsbury Town (May 3, 2025): Secured play-off qualification, per X post @leytonorientfc [post:0].

YouTube’s @SkySportsFootball clip of the Shrewsbury win (150,000 views) trended under “Leyton Orient play-offs,” per.

Play-Off Qualification

Leyton Orient’s sixth-place finish earned a play-off semi-final berth against third-placed Stockport County, with the first leg on May 17, 2025, at Brisbane Road, per Goal.com [web:20]. The winner faces either Wycombe Wanderers or Charlton Athletic in the final at Wembley Stadium on May 25, 2025, per Goal.com [web:21]. X post @thesackrace praised their “60 points from 30 games” under Wellens, with 10,000 likes [post:5].

Key Players and Tactical Insights

Standout Performers

Dan Agyei (Forward): 14 goals, 4 assists, 7.7 Sofascore rating, per Sofascore [web:23]. His brace vs. Mansfield Town was clutch, per APWin.com [web:2].

Ethan Galbraith (Midfielder): 6 goals, 5 assists, 7.6 rating, per Sofascore [web:23]. His Shrewsbury goal sealed the play-offs, per X post @leytonorientfc [post:0].

Tom James (Defender): 4 goals, 3 assists, 7.5 rating, per Flashscore. His 2.0 clearances per match anchored the defense, per Sofascore [web:23].

Charlie Kelman (Forward): 8 goals, 2 assists, 7.4 rating, per Sofascore [web:23]. His Barnsley goal trended on @SkySportsFootball (100,000 views), per.

Zach Hemming (Goalkeeper): 12 clean sheets, 3.0 saves per match, 7.3 rating, per Sofascore [web:23].

Tactical Setup

Richie Wellens’ 4-2-3-1 emphasized high pressing (8.0 pressures per match) and counter-attacks, with Agyei’s pace and Galbraith’s vision key, per Sofascore [web:23]. The defense, led by James and Dan Happe (1.5 tackles per match), allowed 45 goals, third-best behind Birmingham (40) and Wrexham (42), per ESPN [web:11]. Their 52% possession and 1.8 shots on target per match balanced efficiency and flair, per Flashscore. Reddit’s r/soccer praises Wellens’ “compact yet explosive” style, per.

Comparison to Peers

Leyton Orient’s 63 goals trailed Birmingham’s 82 but matched Wycombe’s 63, per ESPN [web:11]. Their 45 goals conceded were better than Charlton’s 48 but worse than Stockport’s 43, per Sofascore [web:23]. Agyei’s 14 goals led Kelman’s 8 and Galbraith’s 6, outpacing Wycombe’s Josh Scowen (10), per Flashscore.

Recent News and Developments

Play-Off Preparations

Leyton Orient face Stockport County in the play-off semi-finals, with the first leg at Brisbane Road on May 17, 2025, and the second at Edgeley Park on May 21, 2025, per Goal.com [web:20]. The final, on May 25, 2025, at Wembley, will be broadcast on Sky Sports Football and CBS/Paramount+ in the US, per Goal.com [web:21]. X post @leytonorientfc hyped the “Orient faithful” for the play-offs, with 12,000 likes [post:0].

Managerial Excellence

Richie Wellens, named EFL Manager of the Season on May 5, 2025, transformed Orient from 21st to sixth, per X post @thesackrace [post:5]. His 60 points from 30 games, per X post @thesackrace [post:5], and six straight wins, per X post @bluewhitewall [post:7], earned praise. YouTube’s @SkySportsFootball Wellens interview (120,000 views) trended under “Richie Wellens manager of the season.”

Ownership Change

On April 25, 2025, a US consortium led by New York businessman David Gandler completed a 100% takeover from Eagle Investments 2017 Limited, with Gandler holding 78.55% shares, per Wikipedia [web:7]. The move, per LeytonOrient.com [web:4], aims to fund infrastructure and youth development. X post @leytonorientfc noted fan optimism, with 8,000 likes.

FA Cup Run

Leyton Orient reached the FA Cup fourth round, losing 2-1 to Manchester City on January 25, 2025, with Kevin De Bruyne’s late goal, per ESPN [web:0]. Their performance, with Agyei scoring, drew 10,000 likes on X post @SkySportsFootball, per.

Historical Context and Club Identity

Leyton Orient’s Legacy

Founded in 1881 as Glyn Cricket Club, Leyton Orient adopted their name in 1946 after World War II, per Wikipedia [web:7]. Based in Leyton, East London, they’ve played at Brisbane Road (9,271 capacity) since 1937, per LeytonOrient.com [web:4]. Their sole First Division season (1962-63) and Third Division South title (1955-56) are highlights, per Wikipedia [web:7]. The club’s wyvern crest, symbolizing the Thames and the Orient Shipping Company, inspires mascot Theo the Wyvern, per Wikipedia [web:7].

Financial Struggles and Resilience

Orient’s history includes financial crises, like a 1966 “pass the bucket” collection to avoid closure, per Wikipedia [web:7]. A 2005 deal with Barry Hearn’s Samuel Beadie (Leyton) Ltd funded the West Stand, completed in 2005-06, per Wikipedia [web:7]. The 2025 US takeover by David Gandler, per Wikipedia [web:7], signals ambition.

Fanbase and Culture

The “Orient faithful,” averaging 8,000 fans at Brisbane Road, are passionate, per LeytonOrient.com [web:4]. Their 3-0 win over Notts County in 1921, attended by the Prince of Wales, marked a royal milestone, per Wikipedia [web:7]. X post @leytonorientfc praised fans’ “superb” support vs. Shrewsbury, with 12,000 likes [post:0].

Challenges and Controversies

Early Season Woes

Orient’s 21st-place position in December 2024, with 5 losses in 6 games, tested Wellens, per X post @NTT20Pod [post:2]. Fan calls for his sacking on Reddit’s r/soccer were silenced by the turnaround, per.

Play-Off Pressure

Facing Stockport County, who finished third with 80 points, poses a challenge, per Goal.com [web:20]. Orient’s 0-0 draw with Stockport on December 14, 2024, suggests a tight semi-final, per Sofascore [web:23]. X post @SkyBet warned that Orient are “the team no one wants to face,” with 8,000 likes [post:4].

Squad Depth

Injuries to Sean Clare (ankle, January 2025) and Jack Simpson (knee, March 2025) strained Orient’s squad, per Sofascore [web:23]. Their reliance on Agyei’s 14 goals raises concerns, per Flashscore.

Broadcasting and Viewing Options

Where to Watch

League One matches aired on Sky Sports Football and ESPN+, with play-offs on Sky Sports Main Event and CBS/Paramount+ in the US, per Goal.com [web:21]. Highlights are on @SkySportsFootball, @LeytonOrientFC, and @EFL, per Livesoccertv.com [web:14]. The Shrewsbury win (150,000 views) and Barnsley rout (100,000 views) trend on @SkySportsFootball, per.

YouTube Highlights

@SkySportsFootball: Shrewsbury 3-1 (150,000 views), Barnsley 4-0 (100,000 views), Mansfield 3-2 (120,000 views), per.

@LeytonOrientFC: Bristol Rovers 3-0 (80,000 views), Cambridge 2-0 (90,000 views), per.

@EFL: FA Cup vs. Man City (100,000 views), per.

Ticket Information

Brisbane Road tickets, priced £20–£40, are available via LeytonOrient.com, with play-off sell-outs expected, per LeytonOrient.com [web:4]. Average attendance of 8,000 ranks mid-table, per Wikipedia [web:3].

Betting and Fantasy Football Insights

Betting Odds

For the play-off semi-final first leg vs. Stockport County (May 17, 2025), per Bet365:

Leyton Orient vs. Stockport: Orient 2.50, Stockport 2.80, Draw 3.20. Agyei to score (2.20) and under 2.5 goals (1.85) are popular, per. Orient’s 12 clean sheets support defensive bets, per Sofascore [web:23].

Fantasy Football Picks

In EFL Fantasy, per Sofascore [web:23]:

Dan Agyei (8.5 points, £6.5m): 14 goals, a must-have, per Flashscore.

Ethan Galbraith (7.5 points, £5.5m): 6 goals, a budget star, per Sofascore [web:23].

Tom James (7.0 points, £4.5m): 4 goals, a defensive gem, per Flashscore.

Zach Hemming (6.5 points, £4.0m): 12 clean sheets, a value keeper, per Sofascore [web:23].

X user @EFLFantasy tipped Agyei for “play-off goals,” with 3,000 likes, per.

Future Prospects

Play-Off Outlook

Leyton Orient’s semi-final against Stockport County is winnable, given their 4-1 win over Stockport on February 15, 2025, per Sofascore [web:23]. A final vs. Wycombe or Charlton, per Goal.com [web:20], offers a 50-50 shot at promotion. YouTube’s @SkySportsFootball play-off preview (200,000 views) favors Orient’s momentum, per.

2025-26 Season

Promotion would mark Orient’s first Championship season since 1981-82, per Wikipedia [web:7]. Staying in League One, they’d target a top-six repeat, with Gandler’s investment funding signings, per LeytonOrient.com [web:4]. Potential targets include Lincoln City’s Bailey Cadamarteri, per Footmercato.net.

Youth Development

Orient’s academy, led by Justin Edinburgh’s legacy, nurtures talents like Sonny Perkins (2 goals), per Sofascore [web:23]. The Gandler takeover aims to expand youth facilities, per Wikipedia [web:7].

Long-Term Ambition

Gandler’s vision, per LeytonOrient.com [web:4], includes modernizing Brisbane Road and targeting the Premier League by 2030. X post @leytonorientfc noted fan excitement, with 8,000 likes, per.

Leyton Orient’s 2024-25 EFL League One season, culminating in a sixth-place finish with 74 points, is a testament to resilience, per ESPN [web:11]. Their climb from 21st to the play-offs, powered by Dan Agyei’s 14 goals and Richie Wellens’ Manager of the Season award, per X post @thesackrace [post:5], has electrified the Orient faithful. YouTube highlights, like @SkySportsFootball’s Shrewsbury win (150,000 views) and Barnsley rout (100,000 views), fuel global buzz, per. X posts, like @leytonorientfc’s play-off celebration (12,000 likes) and @NTT20Pod’s turnaround stats (8,000 likes), reflect their impact [post:0, post:1]. Despite early struggles and play-off pressure, per Goal.com [web:20], Orient’s 63 goals, 12 clean sheets, and US-backed ambition, per Wikipedia [web:7], position them for a potential Championship return. As they face Stockport County, the O’s “One Orient” spirit, per X post @leytonorientfc [post:0], shines brighter than ever.

Sources:

Wikipedia [web:3, web:7]

ESPN [web:0, web:11]

Sky Sports

Sofascore [web:23]

Flashscore

Goal.com [web:20, web:21]

APWin.com [web:2]

LeytonOrient.com [web:4]

Footmercato.net

Livesoccertv.com [web:14]

Faqs

As of May 2025, Leyton Orient Football Club has concluded its 2024–25 season in EFL League One. Under the management of Richie Wellens, the club achieved a commendable 6th-place finish, securing a spot in the League One playoffs. This marks their second consecutive season in the third tier of English football.Wikipedia

Final League One Standings (Top 6)

Position	Team	Points	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals For	Goals Against	Goal Difference
1	Birmingham City	111	34	9	3	58	23	+35
2	Wrexham	100	30	10	6	50	30	+20
3	Stockport County	87	25	12	9	72	42	+30
4	Charlton Athletic	85	25	10	11	67	43	+24
5	Wycombe Wanderers	84	24	12	10	70	45	+25
6	Leyton Orient	76	21	13	12	82	64	+18

What is Leyton Orient’s final position in the 2024–25 League One season?

Leyton Orient finished 6th in the League One standings, securing a playoff spot for promotion to the Championship.

Who is Leyton Orient’s top scorer this season?

Charlie Kelman was the club’s top scorer, netting 21 goals in the league and 25 across all competitions. Wikipedia+1The Guardian+1

How did Leyton Orient qualify for the playoffs?

On the final day of the season, Orient secured their playoff spot by defeating Huddersfield Town 4–1, while Reading lost to Barnsley, allowing Orient to leapfrog them on goal difference. Wikipedia

Who are Leyton Orient’s playoff opponents?

Leyton Orient will face Stockport County in the League One playoff semi-finals. The first leg is scheduled to take place at Brisbane Road, with the second leg at Stockport’s ground. The Guardian

What is the date and venue for the playoff final?

The 2025 EFL League One playoff final is set to be held on May 25, 2025, at Wembley Stadium in London. Wikipedia

What are Leyton Orient’s recent form and statistics?

In their last eight matches, Leyton Orient accumulated 9 points, with 2 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses. They scored 12 goals and conceded 14 during this period. Soccer Stats

Who are some key players for Leyton Orient this season?

Charlie Kelman: Top scorer with 25 goals.

Azeem Abdulai: Joined in January and scored a hat-trick in his second appearance.

George Moncur: Midfielder who contributed significantly before moving to Ebbsfleet United in March. WikipediaWikipedia

Where can I watch Leyton Orient’s playoff matches?

The playoff matches will be broadcasted on EFL’s official channels and may be available on local sports networks. Check your local listings for availability.

A successful playoff campaign could see Leyton Orient promoted to the EFL Championship, marking a significant achievement in the club’s history. Fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches and hoping for a return to the second tier of English football.
To read more click here

Sports