The English Football League (EFL) has announced that the abandoned match between Leyton Orient and Lincoln City will be replayed in full. Supporter Derek Reynolds suffered a heart attack during the match on Tuesday, October 3, which was being played at Orient’s home ground, Brisbane Road.
The game was brought to an end in the 84th minute after concerned fans took to the pitch, with players returning to their changing rooms while Derek received medical care. Despite the best efforts of all those involved, the 74-year-old lifelong Leyton Orient fan sadly passed away.
A spokesperson for the EFL said: “Having considered all relevant factors relating to the decision taken by the match officials and club stadium staff on the night, alongside the options available to them in accordance with the Regulations, the Board felt the most reasonable course of action was to reschedule the fixture in full. A new date for the game will be announced by the Clubs in due course.”
Get the latest Lincolnshire Live news with our email newsletters
Leyton Orient were winning 1-0 at the time of abandonment. A statement put out by Leyton Orient reads: “Derek was a life-long O’s supporter and he lived in Osbourne Road, a short walk from the ground for many years. As well as being a lifelong fan, Derek was heavily involved in the club and managed the club’s tannoy system during the 1990s.”
A spokesperson for Lincoln City said: “The thoughts of everyone connected with Lincoln City are with the family of the Leyton Orient supporter Derek Reynolds who passed away during Tuesday night’s game at Brisbane Road.”
Lincoln City paid tribute to Derek with a brick recently installed on the memorial wall at the LNER Stadium in his honour.