The North East Brothers in Arms

When the First World War broke out on August 4th 1914 it was widely reported the conflict would be over by Christmas.

The English football season had just started, and the decision was taken that football clubs would continue as planned.

But by the turn of the year it soon became apparent the war would go on longer than first thought. And football teams faced increasing pressure from the public to join the war effort.

In the East End of London the players and staff at the then Clapton Orient, known today as Leyton Orient, held a meeting and decided to do their bit for the cause.

They became the first team in England to join up en-mass to the war effort.

Among the team were three North East men. Richard McFadden and William Jonas from Blyth and George Scott from Sunderland.

All three had travelled to the capital to make their name - and all three were killed in action. They were the only members of the Orient team not to return from the war.

Today almost 100 years on they are still remembered. Tributes to them are seen around the ground and the club's loyal fans regularly make trips to the battlefields of France and Belgium.

Kenny Toal spent a matchday at Leyton Orient to see for himself the way the North East brothers in arms are remembered to this day. See his full report here.