Hammers blast Hearn's 'squatters'

West Ham have issued a statement reiterating the club's commitment to the Olympic Stadium.

Following comments made by Orient chairman Barry Hearn last night regarding the League One club's chances of moving into the stadium post next summer's games, West Ham released a statement on whufc.com that re-affirmed their own 'legacy proposals'.

Hearn claimed last night that Orient would go out of business should West Ham be awarded use of the iconic £500million stadium for a second time. "We don't want West Ham on our doorstep", he told BBC FiveLive.

That rather spurious claim saw West Ham fire back in their statement, accusing Hearn - whose club have never been located within the Olympic borough of Newham - of being a trespasser, rather than the other way round.

"The club remain committed to east London and believe we are the right choice," read West Ham's statement. "In contrast, back in May 2009, our neighbours Leyton Orient were looking at a move away to Harlow or Basildon.

"The Olympic Stadium is in Newham and Leyton Orient is in Waltham Forest. We will not move away from Newham, after all its our home borough.

"We have always focused on our legacy plan for the stadium, and in turn the East End and London as a whole, and already have the right permissions from the game's governing bodies to tender again."

Irons v Os: timeline

1881 Leyton Orient FC formed by members of the Glyn Cricket Club, which consisted of former members of Homerton College (Cambridge). In 1886 they became the Eagle Cricket club.

1888 The Eagle Cricket Club renamed Orient Football Club - in honour of, say some, the Orient Shipping Company.

1895 Thames Iron Works FC formed. The club play at Hermit Road, Canning Town (LB of Newham).

1897 TIWFC move home venue temporarily to Browning Road, East Ham (LB of Newham).

1897 TIWFC move to the newly-built 100,000 capacity Memorial Ground, Plaistow (LB of Newham).

1898 Orient FC renames Clapton Orient to represent their local area (LB of Hackney).

1900 West Ham Utd formed from the ashes of TIWFC. The new club continue to play at the Memorial Ground.

1904 West Ham Utd move to the Boleyn Ground in Upton Park (LB of Newham).

1937 Orient move from Clapton (in the borough of Hackney) to Leyton.

1966 Clapton Orient FC renamed Orient FC after Leyton is absorbed by the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

1987 Orient renamed once again - this time they will be known as Leyton Orient.

Feb 2011 West Ham Utd granted use of the Olympic Stadium, Stratford (LB of Newham).

Sep 2011 OPLC announce new bidding process.