What Does Joining the Leyton Orient Fans' Trust Involve?

Updated

Joining LOFT means becoming a member of an independent supporters' organisation that has represented Leyton Orient fans since 2001. The website states you can join "from just £1," and describes membership as a way to "add to our collective voice." Membership also connects you to a society board that is elected by the members themselves.

What LOFT Is

LOFT — the Leyton Orient Fans' Trust — presents itself as "the independent voice for Leyton Orient fans." Its stated purpose is "standing up for the Orient," and it has operated under that banner since 2001. The organisation is separate from the football club itself; it exists to represent supporters' interests.

The site's main sections show what the trust does beyond membership:

  • News — articles and comment, including archive posts from the old website
  • Society board — board members elected by members
  • Governance — the trust's rules and accounts
  • Fundraising — how LOFT makes a difference in the local community
  • Contact — how to get in touch

What Membership Gives You

The site frames joining primarily as a collective act: becoming a member adds your voice to the trust's. Two practical points follow from the site's own description:

  1. A low entry price. The stated starting point is £1, which makes joining accessible. The site does not publish a full tier structure or what, if anything, differs at higher amounts.
  2. A say in who runs the trust. The society board is elected by members, so membership is the route to participating in that process.

The site does not list specific member benefits such as ticket priority, events, or merchandise discounts, so treat those as unconfirmed unless LOFT announces them.

How to Join

The homepage carries a clear call to action: "Join us today from just £1" and "Become a member of LOFT to add to our collective voice." The "Join LOFT" link is the entry point. The site does not spell out the full sign-up flow, so expect to provide basic details and complete payment at the stated minimum.

You can also sign up for email notifications of website updates by entering your name and email in the form at the bottom of the homepage. Note that the form requires JavaScript enabled in your browser; without it, the form will not submit.

Why the Trust's Role Matters

Two recent news items illustrate what membership supports. LOFT successfully renewed its nomination of BetWright Stadium as a listed Community Asset, and the board has expressed support for HerO's while updating its Code of Conduct. These are the kinds of activities members' subscriptions and collective voice back.

If you want a formal say in fan representation and a low-cost way to support independent advocacy for Orient supporters, joining LOFT fits that goal. If you are looking for published member perks or a detailed benefits package, the site does not currently provide one — check the News section or contact LOFT directly before joining.