The 24 teams that will take part in Sky Bet League One in the 2023/24 season were confirmed at the end of May.
Here, dcfc.co.uk will take a look at each one in focus ahead of the new campaign getting underway at the start of August.
In this instalment, last season’s Sky Bet League Two Champions Leyton Orient are in focus.
Fact File
Established: 1881
Nickname: The O’s
Home: Brisbane Road (9,271 capacity)
Manager: Richie Wellens
2022/23 finish: 1st (Sky Bet League Two)
Club History
Formed in 1881, Leyton Orient are second-oldest football club in London to play at a professional level.
They didn’t settle on the name ‘Leyton Orient’ until 1929 having previously held several different names including Eagle Cricket Club and Orient Football Club.
Their nickname, ‘the O’s’ comes from Orient and their club mascot, Theo, comes from the shortening of that.
In 2017, Orient’s 112-year stay in the English Football League was ended as they were relegated to the National League.
They spent just two years out of the league before earning promotion back to the EFL under the management of the late Justin Edinburgh in 2019.
After progressing year-after-year following their return to the EFL, Orient were crowned Sky Bet League Two champions in April 2023 and returned to the third tier for the first time in eight years.
Played For Both
Kevin Lisbie
Other than Charlton Athletic, former Jamaica international striker Kevin Lisbie made more appearances for Leyton Orient than anywhere else in his career - but prior to his move to the O’s, he did have a spell with the Rams.
Whilst contracted to the Addicks, Lisbie made seven appearances for Derby during a loan spell in 2006. During that time, he scored one goal.
His time with the O’s was certainly more memorable as he scored 45 goals across 125 appearances between 2011 and 2015.
Jordan Brown
The versatile Jordan Brown, who is currently contracted to Orient, started his career with the Rams.
After working his way through the youth set-up in Derbyshire, Brown went on to make four first-team appearances for Derby before moving to Brisbane Road on a free transfer in January 2022 after expressing a desire to play first-team football.
2022/23 Season
Leyton Orient go into the new campaign with the title of Champions, after claiming the Sky Bet League Two title in the 2022/23 season.
The O’s had an incredible season which resulted in them finishing with 91 points, six clear of Stevenage second and 12 clear of Stockport County in fourth.
Their impressive season saw goals spread vastly across the team and only one player, Paul Smyth, finished the campaign with a goals tally in the double figures (10).
They will now start the 2023/24 campaign competing in the third tier for the first time in eight years.
Record Against The Rams
Over the years, the two have met 48 times though this season will mark the first time that the Rams have faced off with the O’s since 1985.
Historically, Derby have had the better of the two – but only just. The Rams have 22 wins to Orient’s 18 whilst the other eight have ended in a draw.
The Rams have however only won one of the last six meetings between the two, a 1-0 victory back in December 1984 thanks to a goal from Andy Garner.
