Does Leyton Orient run academy trials?
Training ground, Chigwell · Chigwell, Essex border with east London
No open trials. Orient recruits from as young as Under-7 through a dedicated pre-academy recruitment manager whose job description includes inducting trialists and their parents and giving feedback on trial outcomes. That is unusually structured for a Category 3 club. Scouting covers Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Hackney and Tower Hamlets. Leyton Orient Trust runs community sessions and, for girls, an Emerging Talent Centre with open sessions, jointly with the club.
4 ways players actually get in.
Invitation after scouting, an induction meeting, a trial period with feedback at the end.
- 01Scouted at U7 to U10 in east London
The academy employs a recruitment manager specifically for U7 to U10, coordinating scouts to fixtures and tracking players against club profiles. Trialists get an induction and feedback on the outcome.
Official page ↗ - 02Leyton Orient Trust sessions
Community coaching across the four home boroughs. Coaches refer players they see to the academy and, for girls, to the Emerging Talent Centre run jointly with the club. Open sessions for the girls' centre are announced on the Trust site.
Official page ↗ - 03Trial period after recommendation
Reported as a six-week trial with the age group, with inductions and feedback meetings run by the recruitment team. Confirm the length when invited.
- 04Coach referral with fixture list
Grassroots and school coaches can refer players to academy recruitment. Include the fixture list so a scout can attend.
- Waltham Forest
- Redbridge, Hackney, Tower Hamlets
- West Essex
- EPPP limit: 1 hour travel U9 to U11, 90 minutes U12 to U16
- Ask for the induction meeting. Orient's recruitment role includes one for every trialist and their parents.
- Ask how long the trial is and when feedback comes. The club's process includes feedback on outcomes, so expect it.
- The training ground is in Chigwell. Check the travel rule from home, one hour at U9 to U11.
- Category 3 suits families who want local, lower-hours academy football. Ask about coaching hours per week.
Three things parents get sold.
- Leyton Orient FC, Academy Recruitment Manager U7 to U10 job description ↗
- Leyton Orient Trust, girls' engagement and Emerging Talent Centre ↗
- Junior Grassroots Hub, Leyton Orient academy listing ↗
- Premier League Youth Development Rules (travel limits, registration) ↗
Last verified 5 September 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us and we will re-check within a week.