LEYTON ORIENT fans paid their respect yesterday to manager Justin Edinburgh who tragically passed away on Saturday.

Flowers, football shirts and messages of support were left for the former Tottenham defender after his death from cardiac arrest.

Many fans were seen in tears as they stood outside the ground where Edinburgh had helped the club secure promotion back to the Football League just weeks earlier.

Orient captain Jobi McAnuff was among the players, former teammates and friends who posted tributes on social media.

“Yesterday we lost our leader, a fantastic manager and a truly great man,” he tweeted.

“A man who inspired so many of us with his drive, passion and sheer desire to win, a man who had so much love for this game and even more for his family, my heart goes out to them at this tragic time.”

At Brisbane Road, in front of media, McAnuff added: “Football aside, Justin was a hugely positive man, loved his family. Every day he came in he had that lust for life, a real zest about him, a real willingness to enjoy himself.

“I think he would want us to carry that on … I know for sure he would want us to approach this in the most positive way we can, that’s very much what he was about, being on the front foot.

“Together, using those lessons that he taught us, it can help us deal with such tragic circumstances.”

Orient defender Josh Coulson wrote: “Heart broken right now. Devastated. Gaffer you made me fall back in love with the game. And to be a champion with you will stay with me forever. Rest well up there.”

Edinburgh began his playing career at Southend before spending a decade with Spurs, with whom he won the FA Cup and League Cup and remained closely associated after his playing career.