'Enjoy it': Leyton Orient's big chance after 43 years

Richie Wellen's Leyton Orient will face Charlton Athletic at Wembley for a place in the Championship next season

League One play-off final: Charlton Athletic v Leyton Orient

Venue: Wembley Stadium Date: Sunday, 25 May Kick-off: 13:01 BST

Coverage: Commentary on BBC Local Radio, plus live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.

"Just enjoy it."

That is the message Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens has for the fans ahead of their League One play-off final against Charlton Athletic at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

The O's are set to play in front of their largest-ever crowd, with a return to English football's second tier for the first time in 43 years on the line.

The east London side were playing National League football just six years ago but are playing for their second promotion in three seasons under Wellens, having started December in the relegation zone.

It is a day many Orient fans would not have even dreamed off when playing non-league football just a few years ago. But Wellens' message to them ahead of the game is simple.

"Just enjoy it. I know that people start over-worrying and panicking but leave that to me. I've got a job to do and I've got to make sure the team is prepared come Sunday," the 45-year-old told BBC Radio London.

"It's the biggest ever crowd we've ever played in front of, I think we're taking a brilliant following and Charlton, you expect them to take [a lot of supporters] because they're a huge club."

'We want to be remembered for winning'

Goalkeeper Josh Keeley saved two spot-kicks as Orient beat Stockport County 4-1 in a penalty shootout to decide their play-off semi-final

The O's have been the team for the big occasion this season, securing some of their most memorable victories in knockout situations - with a 100% winning record from four penalty shootouts.

There was their penalty shootout victory over Colchester United in the Vertu Trophy in October, and then a performance which kickstarted their season against Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup the following month.

With the O's trailing and heading for defeat at home against the National League side, goalkeeper Josh Keeley popped up with a headed goal to send the tie to extra time before Dan Agyei scored the winner late on.

A shootout victory over Championship Derby County followed in the third round before they ran Manchester City close at Brisbane Road.

And then at the end of a gripping two-legged play-off semi-final against Stockport County, Ethan Galbraith struck the winning spot-kick to send his side to Wembley.

"This is special for us. We want to be talked about for years to come for this occasion for winning, not just the fact that these players got us to Wembley," Wellens added.

"You want to be remembered for winning things and that's what we aim to do."

'Nothing short of a miracle'

Leyton Orient have won four penalty shootouts this season

Orient's extra-time victory over Oldham began a run of 15 wins in 20 matches in all competitions, including their victory over the Rams on penalties.

Had it not been for a blip of five straight defeats at the end of February and beginning of March, the O's play-off place could have been sealed well before the final day of the season away at Huddersfield Town.

"We've all said it, the gaffer's said it, even when we were going through that rough stage we had the players, we had the belief we could turn it around," Galbraith said.

"I'm not to sure too many people thought we could, but I think inside the group we knew we could go on to better things."

The O's have been boosted by the return of Jack Currie for the final. The defender was substituted after picking up an injury in the second leg at Stockport.

Club captain Omar Beckles described his team's resurgence in the second half of the season as a "miracle".

"In December we were in the relegation zone. To have turned things around in the way that we have has been nothing short of a miracle, to be on the cusp of getting into the Championship," he said.

"Extremely excited. Really looking forward to the occasion and to hopefully go and make history."

'It feels like they're building something special'

Ethan Galbraith scored the winning penalty kick as the O's beat Stockport at Edgeley Park

Sunday marks exactly 11 years since Leyton Orient's last League One play-off final, when Russell Slade's side were beaten 4-3 on penalties after finishing level 2-2 with Rotherham United.

Three seasons later the O's dropped down to the fifth tier, but they returned to the EFL having won promotion in the 2018-19 season as National League champions,

However, the club were devastated by the death of then manager Justin Edinburgh less than two months later, aged 49.

Wellens was appointed in 2022 and led the club to the League Two title the following year.

Former left-back Matt Lockwood, who scored 56 goals in 386 appearances during a nine-year spell with the club, said there is more positivity at the club now after those hard years and that the O's can beat Charlton.

"Normally, as a stereotypical Orient fan over the years, you would come into these games hoping to win but probably expecting to lose," he said.

"It feels different around Orient now. There's a different atmosphere, different mentality.

"It feels like they're building something special and Richie Wellens has got them playing superb football."

O's striker Charlie Kelman and Charlton forward Matty Godden are set to face off at Wembley