Former skipper Sandy Tait had moved up to become club manager. The new club captain was to be the Reverend Kenneth Hunt, perhaps the finest player to ever don the Leyton colours.
Kenneth Reginald Gunnery Hunt had been awarded his “Oxford Blue” whilst studying at Queens College, during which time he assisted The Corinthians. He had signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1907 and with whom he gained an FA Cup winners medal. Hunt had been appointed to the staff of Highgate School in north London, so this is how it came about that he signed for Leyton.
During the coming season, he would gain the first of two full and four amateur international caps whilst with Leyton. Hunt had also gained a gold medal in the 1908 Olympic Games. He died in April 1949 only hours before Wolves won the FA Cup final. He was buried in the quiet country churchyard at Waldron in Sussex, close to his last home in Haeathfield.
The other major signing was the amateur William Renneville, and Irish winger who joined from Leytonstone at the close of the previous season. During the season, “Pepper” Renneville was capped three times against the other home countries.
In the league, results saw an improvement, ending the season in tenth place and scoring more goals than they conceded. Amongst the goals were Bristol Rovers who conceded six without reply, and Southend United who lost by seven goals to three. After beating Millwall Athletic 2-0 at the end of September, Leyton sat second in the table, but couldn’t maintain their early pace.
1910 was to stand out as the club’s best ever performance in the FA Cup. It began in late November with a visit from Bitterne Guild, who bit off more than they could chew and were crushed by nine goals to one. In the last qualifying round, further progress was made at the expense of fellow Southern Leaguers Croydon Common.
The real competition now got underway in mid-January with a goalless home draw with New Brompton (now Gillingham). It took a second replay at White Hart Lane before Leyton triumphed by the only goal.
In the second round, Leyton were presented with a tough away tie at Stockport County, this time winning at the first attempt.
The luck of the draw saw Leyton away again in the third round to Leicester Fosse (now City) and succumbing to the only goal of the game. Had they beaten Leicester, they would have met the eventual winners, Newcastle United. To have reached the last sixteen was a worth achievement.
