By Steve Jenkins

I AM always on the lookout for Orient memorabilia, particularly items from the period when the O's served King and country in the Great War. I was very fortunate to be given a Clapton Orient Player's Pass from season 1913-14 which belonged to 'F Dunn' who, although he is not shown in Leyton Orient - The Complete Record by Neil Kaufman, did give sterling service to the O's as he was one of the 41 Players and Staff of Clapton Orient that joined up into the 17th Middlesex (the Footballers' Battalion in 1915).  He attained the rank of Corporal Shoeing Smith and was obviously involved with the well being of the horses in the battalion.

Incorporated with the Pass are the Training Rules and Regulations which I would like to share with you. The document itself is very fragile and rarely sees the light of day. However, I felt it is of historical importance to record the text as held within, so glance below and see how the O's players of today might react to the following:-

Clapton Orient Football Club (1906) Ltd

Training Rules and Regulations

Professional Players are requested to attend to the following instructions:-

1. - All Players whose time is wholly engaged by the Club shall attend at the Ground at 10am daily (match days excepted) and shall be under the orders of the Trainers for the rest of the day.

2. - Training hours shall be from 10am to 12noon and 2 to 4pm.

3. - Players are not allowed to bring friends into the dressing rooms during training hours or on match days, nor into the reserved compartments on train when proceeding to a match without first obtaining permission from the Manager.

4. - Smoking is not allowed during training hours nor on the morning of a match.

5. - Players requiring leave of absence must apply for and receive the permission of the Manager.

6. - Players absent through sickness or accident for more than two days must send a Doctor's certificate. The Directors will not be responsible for medical attendance unless same is authorized by the Manager.

7. - Every Player shall appear in proper costume, both when engaged at practice or at a match.

8. - All articles for the use of Players provided by the Club are the property of the Company, and the Players will be held responsible for loss or damage sustained through neglect.

9. - In the event of any Player requiring a new outfit, or any part of it, he must report same to the Trainer. Players must not wear any outfit other than their own numbered one without permission. Players must see that their boots are in proper condition, and if requiring attention immediately report same to the Trainer.

10. - On match days Players must be on the ground half-an-hour before time of kick-off and at the Station 15 minutes before the train starts. When Reserves are advised this also applies to them.

11. - Players must reside within a reasonable distance from the ground unless special permission is granted by the Directors.

12. - Any Player changing his address must immediately notify same to the Manager.

13. - When on the field of play all players are under the orders of the Captain of the team, and all instructions from the Directors to him must be conveyed through the Manager or other person the Directors may appoint.

14. - The Trainers must report to the Manager all breaches of the above Rules.

15. - Players and Trainers are under the sole control of the Manager and must on all occasions obey the instructions given by him. Any Player having cause of complaint at any time must notify the same in writing to the Secretary who will report to the Directors.

16. - Players are expected to conduct themselves throughout the season in an orderly and temperate manner, and thereby bring about the best results for the success of the Club. Any Players reported as having broken or evaded any of the above Rules will be dealt with as the Directors may determine either by fine or suspension.

By Order of the Directors,

W Holmes, Manager

Please note:- The text, grammar and punctuation has been reproduced exactly as shown in original document.

A players' pass from the 1913-14 season

The original document
  
(l-r): A contemporary 'Oriental image', Fred Parker, Sam Tonner
  
(l-r): John Townrow, Richard Turnbull, Owen Williams

Arthur Wood