THREE times during his 19-year Leyton Orient ownership, Barry Hearn went through the play-off final emotional wringer.
Two were at Wembley, one at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium – all three were heartbreaking experiences.
RexBarry Hearn is desperate for Leyton Orient to return to the second tier[/caption]
GettyIt’s been three play-off heartbreaks in a row for the League One side[/caption]
GettyOrient’s last season in the top flight came 43 years ago[/caption]
The most recent, exactly 11 years ago tomorrow, still gives him sleepless nights.
Orient led the League One play-off final by two goals but were pegged back to 2-2 by Rotherham United and then lost 4-3 on penalties, despite leading in the shootout.
Hearn – now 76 and no longer in charge – believes it will be fourth time lucky when the club face Charlton at Wembley tomorrow.
It is 43 years since Orient were last in England’s second tier.
And for Hearn, as well as wife Susan, victory would help banish the demons of previous near-misses.
Britain’s leading sports promoter told SunSport: “I’ve been paying for therapy ever since that day against Rotherham!
“I get nightmares about it. This is my opportunity to cleanse myself, take away my therapist bills, go back to normal sleep patterns.
“It’s a great London derby. South London versus East London always stirs the emotions. It’s a 50-50 call.
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“It’s about who handles the nerves best on the day. It’s so exciting.
“Me and Susan will be there. Mrs Hearn, the Queen of the Orient, and the previous King of the Orient.
“My family has always come first – but Orient are a close second.”
Hearn’s love affair with the club began on January 30, 1960 when, aged 11, he attended his first match at Brisbane Road – a 2-2 friendly draw with Scottish side Falkirk.
His hero was Tommy Johnston, “a rough and tough merchant, an old school centre-forward”.
The decision to buy the club in March 1995, having earned millions promoting snooker and boxing, came via a call from chairman Tony Wood, who was in a desperate financial state after the Rwandan Civil War decimated his fortune.
Hearn acquired 243,000 shares for £2.43 but took on £2million of unpaid debts.
If they were successful they’d need a bigger ground. If the day comes that they want to move, I’ll ensure they’re very well looked after.
Barry Hearn
Fans may have wanted him to spend more money but Essex-based Hearn tried to run the firm prudently.
Hearn said: “My life has been built, on a personal and company basis, on sustainability. I don’t want to be a quick shot in the dark.
“With Orient, I set about trying to make them a sustainable business. I failed really. I cut everything, maximised all my revenues and there was still a gap that was insurmountable — that’s football.
“I had 19 years of aggravation, frustration, grief, threats, all sorts of stuff . . . and you know what? I wouldn’t swap a day of it.
“That’s the bizarre thing about football. You do things you wouldn’t do in any other business. You make decisions based on your heart. But my wallet was always saying, ‘Don’t get carried away.’”
Becoming owner was always a “family investment” and the decision to sell his stake to madcap Italian Francesco Becchetti was made in 2014 over Sunday dinner.
Son Eddie, now Matchroom Sport chairman, wanted him to keep it but daughter Katie disagreed. Susan gave the deciding vote: “Get rid.”
Hearn did buy their Brisbane Road ground – ensuring Orient a home for the foreseeable future.
He said: “They’ve got a 20-year lease with a 20-year extension. They’re totally protected.
“If they were successful they’d need a bigger ground. If the day comes that they want to move, I’ll ensure they’re very well looked after.
“Because that would be my legacy to the club.”
Hearn, Orient’s honorary president, heads to Wembley tomorrow with a strong feeling the club can finally win a play-off final.
He said: “The boys have all played great. I do believe they can do it.
“I have a good feeling that my years of therapy will no longer be necessary.”
GettyO’s boss Richie Wellens, pictured here being mobbed by fans, has done a terrific job at Brisbane Road[/caption]
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