Leyton Orient fans have started a campaign to rename a stand at their Brisbane Road ground after Justin Edinburgh.
Edinburgh tragically passed away on Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest just six weeks after leading Orient out back into the Football League by winning promotion from the National League.
The 49-year-old was hospitalised on Monday after returning from watching his former team Tottenham in the Champions League final.
Leyton Orient manager Justin Edinburgh tragically passed away on Saturday at the age of 49
Orient supporters have started a petition to have their West Stand named after him
Fan Tor Bartram started the petition and it has had over 350 signatures since it went up
Edinburgh leaves behind his wife Kerri and their children Charlie and Cydnie
Edinburgh (second left) was last pictured before watching Spurs at the Champions League final in Madrid on June 1 with fellow Tottenham legends Clive Allen (left) and Paul Allen (2nd right) and Benny V of Souped Up records
Flowers and scarves are left in tribute at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road stadium shortly after the news broke of Edinburgh’s death
Now Orient supporters want to pay tribute to Edinburgh by changing the name of their west stand with over 350 already signing the petition.
Orient fan Tor Bartram wrote on Change.org: ‘Following the sudden and tragic death of Justin Edinburgh, it can only be right that we, as a club remember Justin Edinburgh in a fitting way.
‘By renaming the West Stand to the Justin Edinburgh (West) Stand, this would be a fitting tribute to the man who turned the club around from 20th in the conference to league winners for the first time since 1970, in only 16 months.’
Edinburgh leaves behind his wife Kerri and their children Charlie and Cydnie.
‘We are completely heartbroken’, Orient chairman Nigel Travis said of Edinburgh, pictured here with his wife Kerri
There were plenty of tributes from the world of football after the news was announced on Saturday.
‘We are completely heartbroken by this tragedy’, Orient chairman Nigel Travis said in a statement.
‘All our thoughts and love are with the Edinburgh family and we know from the messages that have flooded into the Club over the last week that the wider football world will share our sentiments.
‘The success that Justin brought to Leyton Orient was incredible, but more importantly the impact he had on us all as a winner and a wonderful, inspirational human being will be his legacy and will stay with us forever.’
Edinburgh proudly holds the National League trophy with his son Charlie back in April
‘Totally and utterly devastated. You were so much more than a manager to me,’ Orient captain Jobi McAnuff said.
‘Just doesn’t feel real coming so soon after sharing some of my happiest moments with you. My thoughts, love and prayers go to the family at this truly terrible time.’
Macauley Bonne, Edinburgh’s star striker at Orient, added on Twitter: ‘There are no words to describe the loss of our gaffer, our leader & inspiration.
‘First & foremost, my deepest condolences to Justin’s family. He brought us all together – we’re eternally grateful for everything you’ve done.’
Edinburgh (left) celebrating a goal with David Ginola during his time at Tottenham Hotspur
His former team-mate at Spurs Darren Anderton also posted a heartfelt tribute, saying: ‘Can’t believe it… such sad news about Justin… it’s not fair. One of the greatest guys you could ever wish to meet.
‘When you were around him, you just laughed and smiled constantly. RIP mate.’
Gary Lineker also took to Twitter to say: ‘Deeply saddened to hear that Justin Edinburgh has passed away. He was an excellent coach and a terrific fullback who was a delight to share a dressing room with and have as a teammate. Thoughts are with his family.’
A Tottenham statement added: ‘We are deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of Justin Edinburgh.
Edinburgh (left) travelled to Madrid last week to watch the Champions League final
‘Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts go out to his family and friends at this terribly difficult time as well as everyone that worked alongside Justin at Leyton Orient.’
On Saturday evening Tottenham legend David Ginola paid his own emotional tribute to his former team-mate. Ginola was 49 when he, too, suffered a cardiac arrest back in 2016.
‘It is terrible news,’ he told BBC 5Live. ‘He’s the kind of person you meet in your life and you fall in love with the character, with the person he was. He was supporting me on the football pitch being left back, all the memories are coming back now.
He added: ‘There’s a few people that stick in your brain when you leave football. I don’t have many football friends, but Justin was one of them and we called recently. I can count on two hands how many friends I have from that time, and he was one of them.’
Edinburgh guided Leyton Orient to promotion back to the Football League last season after taking over the club at their lowest ebb in 2017
The former defender made more than 200 appearances for Tottenham between 1990-2000
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville labelled Edinburgh ‘a Champion that managed a team that played with your spirit,’ while Burnley, Fulham, Scunthorpe and Accrington Stanley were among the clubs to express their sadness.
‘Absolutely shocking news about the death of Justin Edinburgh. Taken far too young. Thoughts go out to his family,’ added former player turned pundit Chris Sutton.
Former Spurs and Leyton Orient midfielder Tom Carroll said: ‘Incredibly sad news, my thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone at the club.’
West Ham, meanwhile, posted on Twitter: ‘All at West Ham United are deeply saddened by the passing of @leytonorientfc manager Justin Edinburgh. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and everyone who knew him at this sad time.’
Lee Tomlin, who played under Edinburgh at Rushden and Diamonds, also wrote a heartfelt tribute to his former boss.
‘Words can’t describe how I’m feeling now, I can’t thank you enough everything you did for me and every time I saw you I still thanked you, you are one of a kind you really are,’ he said.
An Arsenal statement read: ‘We are shocked and saddened to hear of Justin Edinburgh’s passing. Our condolences and thoughts are with Justin’s loved ones and everyone at both Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient. Rest in peace, Justin.’
Edinburgh in Madrid with ex-Spurs team-mates Steve Sedgley (L) and David Howells (R)
Last week the 49-year-old had travelled to Madrid to watch his former side Tottenham in their Champions League final defeat by Liverpool.
Shortly after his return to the UK he suffered a cardiac arrest and on Saturday, Leyton Orient confirmed the terrible news of his death.
Edinburgh played for Spurs between 1990 and 2000, featuring more than 200 times, winning the FA Cup in 1991 and the League Cup eight years later.
Before joining Spurs in 1990 Edinburgh started his career at Southend.
Edinburgh dispossesses Liverpool’s Robbie Fowler during a Premier League match in 1996
He joined Portsmouth in 2000, initially on loan, and spent three years there.
He ended his playing career at Billericay Town and also managed them during his spell there.
Edinburgh then took charge of the likes of Rushden and Diamonds before enjoying a successful period at Newport County.
Edinburgh smiles with Leyton Orient captain Jobi McAnuff as they celebrate promotion
In 2012-13, Edinburgh steered Newport back to the Football League, after a 25-year absence, via the play-offs.
He also had spells at Gillingham and Northampton Town before joining Orient in 2017.
The O’s missed out on the non-League Double when they lost the FA Trophy final to Fylde but the priority was always to get back to the Football League and Edinburgh got them there by topping the National League table by three points from closest challengers Solihull Moors.