Leyton Orient boss Justin Edinburgh is aiming to complete a historic non-league double after guiding Leyton Orient back to the Football League.
The historic east London club were narrowly dodging liquidation two years ago.
A little over a year ago they were hovering above the trap door to the sixth tier.
Now they’re champions, and their long-suffering fans - who invaded the Brisbane Road pitch at full-time — finally have something to celebrate.
The O’s didn’t need to shift through the gears against Braintree, with a professional performance more than enough, as the only teams within reach - Salford City and Solihull Moors - faltered.
Champions! Player ratings as Leyton Orient promoted to the Football League with Braintree draw
When supporters finally filtered off the pitch and into the street to continue celebrations, Orient boss Edinburgh - who joined the club halfway through last season - said: “This is the toughest league to get out of and I’m proud of everyone. It is my biggest achievement in football.
“There has been an incredible foundation put in place and this has to be a start, we want to try to continue to move forward.
“The next level is not a ceiling but we have to be realistic. We know this was a League One club and our goal it to get back there.”
Since losing the 2014 League One play-off final on penalties at Wembley, Orient became one of football’s fallen giants. Under erratic owner Francesco Becchetti, the East Londoners suffered two relegations in three seasons under 11 managers, falling into non-league after a 112-years in the Football League.
Another rocky season last term saw them stabilise in 13th, and now they rise back to the Football League after leading the table at the end of 29 of their 46 matches.
Edinburgh said: “I realised how much it means to the supporters after that final whistle, seeing the jubilation on so many people’s faces.
“One fan said he’d waited 50 years for this, that’s when it hits home.
National League leaders Leyton Orient receive incredible red card v Sutton United
“The most important people are the fans today. They’ve got back something for what they have suffered over the last five years.”
Orient now take aim at the non-league double, which they can claim by beating Fylde in the FA Trophy at Wembley on May 19.
Edinburgh added: “I know we’ve sold 20,000 tickets and I’m sure there will be more now because we are going for the double. What an amazing feat that would be.”
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