18 July 2026
New signing
The women's group are delighted to announce the signing of highly rated defender, Elissa Stonebrook.
It is confirmed that Elissa Stonebrook has become Orient's fifth addition of the summer so far, joining Gracie Hickman, Stef Paci, Lily Aungier and Freya Faulkner.
O's Women Head Coach Jody Buckley said:
"Elissa joined me last season during the later transfer window at Maldon & Tiptree and immediately performed at a very high level. She’s a fantastic defender who can play anywhere across the line and is educated in playing various technical systems. I’m really pleased to get Elissa signed on to this new project and be a part of a great squad."
Elissa added:
"I’m excited to join this incredible club. From the moment the opportunity came up, it felt like the right move. I’m excited to work with Jody and the team. What they’re building and their philosophy is what I stand for as well. I'm ready to give everything on and off the pitch and make the fans, my team and my family proud. I'm looking forward to what is ahead. Up the O’s."
We know everyone will join us in welcoming Elissa to the group, it's starting to take shape now. Early photos of the new team are available at our Photo Gallery.
Still searching for opponents for a pre-season game on Sunday
It's now clear the scheduled pre-season game against Dorking is not now going ahead. We don't know why but the important thing is to find opponents to help Jody and Marc prepare the team for league action in the not-too-distant future.
So, we are looking for a friendly on Sunday 19th July for Leyton Orient Women’s 1st Team. Ideally tier 6/7 teams. If you are interested, please contact Jody on 'X' at @JB_NLS or mail us at lofcwomen@yahoo.com
Promotion and relegation
In recent months, a number of high level women's teams have been cut back in terms of budget, some have closed, others teeter on the brink.... Examples:-
Forest Green Rovers Women — Disbanded - FGR scrapped their women’s team entirely for the 2026–27 season to “concentrate resources” on the men’s side.
Plymouth Argyle Women — Effectively disbanded + major cutbacks - Argyle did not renew any player contracts and significantly reduced the women’s team budget after failing to win promotion to WSL2.
Southampton Women — Severe budget cuts (~£500k) - Saints made major cuts to their women’s programme, reducing investment and withdrawing from planned signings.
Other recent big cut backs at the higher levels include the women's teams at Reading, Bolton Wanderers, Hashtag Utd, Durham, Lewes... The scene at the lower tiers is similar with previously with well funded sides like Richmond and Kew folding mid-season.
One outcome of all this has been the effect on the Greater London Women's Premier Division, where we played last season, where the number of vacancies in the leagues above and below has risen to the point that relegation has been canceled for the coming season. This means that the brave battling sides at AFC Leyton and Islington Borough Ladies, who finished bottom and second bottom, retain their premier league status. It appears this kind of action has been required at numerous leagues up and down the country. Funny ol' game isn't it?