The League One clash at Brisbane Road might have finished with a narrow win for Leyton Orient, but it wasn’t the footballers who stole the headlines.
As the Imps were battling for points on the pitch, a steward in football boots became the unexpected star of the afternoon.
Michael Morgan, a long-serving Orient steward, went viral after being serenaded by supporters throughout the match. The chants came thick and fast, from “He’s in your head, steward, steward” to “Steward again, ole ole,” all to the tune of Zombie by The Cranberries.
And when the ball rolled his way and he instinctively booted it back onto the pitch, Brisbane Road erupted. It was a moment that summed up the lighter side of football: pure terrace humour, shared by both sets of fans.
‘He got his boots for his birthday’
Some incredible chants sung by these Leyton Orient fans to one of their stewards 👏🤣 pic.twitter.com/PMrkG9Zwwa
— Midnite (@midnite) October 26, 2025
Boots, Banter and a Viral Moment
Speaking to talkSPORT afterwards, Morgan explained the reason behind his unconventional footwear.
“It’s just a natural reaction, trying to put the ball back into play,” he said. “I wore boots because last season I slipped when we had a pitch invader — you need the grip.”
The size 13 steward admitted it wasn’t easy to find a pair that fit but insisted that his trusty adidas were essential for the job. Once his colleague John pointed out that the crowd had noticed, Morgan knew he was in for an afternoon of good-natured attention.
“He was tapping me on the back, then I started hearing the chants. It shows the lighter side of stewarding.”
Thirteen Years on the Line
Morgan’s story resonated because of his enthusiasm for the role. He’s spent over a decade stewarding at grounds including Wembley, Upton Park and the London Stadium, covering England games and major concerts along the way. Now based at Orient, he says it’s one of the best clubs he’s ever worked for.
“I love it — I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he said. “The stewarding industry gets a lot of negative press, but this shows the fun side. It’s part of the job — I like to throw a bit of banter back at the fans.”
Although Morgan is a West Ham fan at heart, he admits the Os have become his second team. With his sense of humour, steady presence, and viral moment now immortalised online, he’s a reminder that the joy of football often comes from the characters who make a matchday memorable, not just those wearing the kit.
For Imps fans who made the trip, it was a small bit of fun on a frustrating afternoon. We might not have taken the points, but at least one man in boots gave everyone something to smile about.