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MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - Donation 25p
138th Season 2015-16 Ground : Old Spotted ‘Dog’, Upton Lane, Forest Gate
President : Mr M.J. McShea Chairman - Mr P. Maybin Life Members : Mr M.J. McShea, Mr M.E. Fogg, Mr I. Hollowell Hon Secretary – Mr A. B. Barr, Les Chauvières, 53250 Javron les Chapelles, France Tel 0751 4518440 - email : secretary@claptonfc.info Club Office – Markham House, 35 Station Road, Chingford, London E4 7BJ WINNERS OF FA AMATEUR CUP -1906-07, 1908-09, 1914-15, 1923-24, 1924-25 LONDON AMATEUR SENIOR CUP – 1889-90, 1908-09, 1910-11 ISTHMIAN LEAGUE – 1910-11, 1922-23 LONDON CHARITY CUP -1898-9, 1899-1900, 1901-2, 1902-3, - Joint Holders 1923-34 ESSEX SENIOR CUP – 1890-1, 1924-25, 1925-26, 1954-55, 1982-83 MIDDLESEX SENIOR CUP 1888-89 ESSEX SENIOR TROPHY 1988-9 AFA INVITATION CUP 1965-66
The First English Club to play on the Continent (1890)
CLAPTON v GREENHOUSE SPORTS ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE – Saturday 12TH September 2015, K.O. 3pm th
Sat 26 Sep 3.00pm Essex Senior League CLAPTON v BURNHAM R
Next Home Matches th
Tue 6 Oct 7.45pm Gordon Brasted Mem Trophy CLAPTON v NEWHAM
th
Sat 10 Oct 3.00pm Essex Senior League CLAPTON v ILFORD
WELCOME TO
THE OLD SPOTTED DOG GROUND No place for
WELCOME TO THE OLD SPOTTED DOG Good afternoon everyone and thank you for your donation to the real Clapton FC for this match day programme. We hope that you find it of interest and that you will wish to discover more about the situation that befalls our great old club. In essence why we, the members of the real Clapton FC wish to take it back from ‘businessman’ Vincent McBean. Last Saturday’s FA Vase win against Codicote means that the Tons will be travelling to Ipswich Wanderers in the next round. Wanderers have made a decent start to their season, recently despatched Barkingside from the FA Cup and then walloped London Bari 7-0 in the last round of the Vase. So, whilst this will undoubtedly be a test for our team, who is to say that the Tons cannot give a decent account of themselves and progress further? The only doubt about our comprehensive win over Codicote last week is where the £600 prize money cheque from the FA or the sponsors will be paid in. One of limited companies perhaps? Following today’s match, the Tons face away days at either end of the Essex Senior League catchment area. Next Tuesday we travel to Southchurch Park, home of Southend Manor FC for a 7.45pm kick off whilst on the following Saturday we head into North Essex to face Sawbridgeworth Town at their Crofters Park ground.- 3pm. Today you will see that members of the Clapton Ultras have organised a local food bank collection in aid of the Refugee & Migrant project. The types of items required are tinned food, rice, pasta, UHT milk, instant coffee, tea bags, sugar, shampoo, shower gel and toothpaste. Please support them today. The Ultras will also be collecting food here at th the match against Burnham Ramblers on Saturday 29 September Much has been made of the comings and goings of players in recent weeks. Its true to say that some favourites have gone. However the new group of lads are performing admirably, especially those who are said to have ‘stepped up’ to this level to rejoin the new coaches. So far this season, our only losses were against very good teams indeed and if the crowd are behind them, there is no reason why the new lads cannot go on to be successful here and endear themselves to the Clapton faithful. As regards ex-Clapton players, we are a setting up Clapton FC Alumni for anyone who has previously worn the red and white of the Tons. If you are an ex-player or know there whereabouts of someone who was, please email info@claptonfc.info and let us know. Most recently we bumped into Jim McFarlane, an ex Clapton captain from the 1980s, who is now Manager of AFC Hornchurch. Other former players who are now in management include Allan Fenn who is the manager at Ilford FC. Once Clapton always Clapton ! Enjoy the Match
FORZA CLAPTON !
TODAY’S VISITORS - GREENHOUSE SPORTS F.C. What’s in a name? Well, today’s visitors arrive this afternoon, having replaced the word ‘London’ from their title and replaced it with Sports. So welcome Greenhouse Sports FC. Last season Greenhouse finished in bottom spot in the Essex Senior League and will undoubtedly be looking to improve this term, despite making a poor start with five successive league defeats. However, this is not reason for the Tons to expect an easy afternoon, because the ‘green shoots’ in the Greenhouse might well be showing following their fine draw in the FA Vase at Cockfosters last Saturday and then a 3-2 victory in the replay last Wednesday. The history of Greenhouse Sports is a bit of a tale, involves lots of name changes and starts with the formation of Mauritius Sports in 2000. This club were formed to help British born Mauritians to develop into International players. In 2007, having played at intermediate and then in the Middlesex County League, they amalgamated with Pennant FC to form Mauritius Sports and Pennant and joined the Essex Senior League. At this time they were playing/ground sharing at Wadham Lodge. In 2009 it was time for another name chance, this time to Mauritius Sports Association UK and three years later they moved to Haringey Borough’s ground at Coles Park and a further name change was inevitable. Haringey and Waltham Development FC remains, possibly, the worst name for any football club anywhere at any time. ‘Hull City Tigers’ is literally music on the ears in comparison and that, in itself, was horse manure. So, fast forward to 2013 when the Haringey and Waltham Development (it pains me to type it) joined forces with a club called Greenhouse London, formerly Greenhouse Bethwin from South London. As a result, the two outfits became Greenhouse London FC. This season heralds another name change, Greenhouse Sports FC. However, this club are worthy of respect and admiration and should certainly not be under estimated. Not only have they, for some years, provided social guidance and one-on-one mentoring for youngsters that extends beyond the football pitch, they were also awarded Community Charter Standard Club status by the Football Association in 2013. Congratulations to them We welcome the players, officials and supporters of Greenhouse London FC to the Old Spotted Dog for today’s match and wish them an enjoyable afternoon.
JOIN CLAPTON FC The past year has been a frustrating one for all concerned with the club. Mr McBean continues to hold fast, whilst the FA etc continue to sit on the fence, wondering and waiting for us to do something. We are approaching the third anniversary of the Charity Commission inquiry into the ‘charity’ administered by Mr McBean which currently holds the lease on the ground. The only perceived movement in this case was the resignation of two Trustees (one of whom had been previously disqualified in another of Mr McBean’s previous ‘charitable’ ventures). However, in the past year we have been talking to lawyers and have presented them with a considerable amount of information relevant to the issue of ‘who is Clapton FC?’ In response to that information, our lawyers have advised us in writing, that we have a very good chance of success. As a result the club committee, have voted to launch legal proceedings. Such legal action costs money and we are aware, through his previous dealings with the courts, that Mr McBean is very adept in messing the courts around, avoiding bailiffs and not paying judgment debts, (both personal and those recorded against the charity). However, our solicitors have done their research and we have every reason to anticipate a non-protracted resolution to the issue. Therefore, it is more important than ever that you continue to support, and be part of, our drive to return the club to the members. Much of the requisite infrastructure is in place. We have a decent team who enjoy unrivalled support at this level. Many of the membership are active on social media promoting the club, whilst others provide experience and advice. I would therefore also ask you to continue to spread the word about Clapton, and tell other people how this long-forgotten, famous old club has amazingly risen to prominence in the past couple of years despite the incredulous, self interested behaviour of Mr McBean. Encourage people to join the club and to get involved. If you are on the Scaffold, tell the person next to you about the real club. We all enjoy the Tyskie and the unique atmosphere, but too many ‘Clapton fans’ are unaware of the true situation at the club. Others are just fence sitting. Any support for Mr McBean’s business, whether tacit or active, undermines our efforts to restore the members as the governors of the club. Our club is the conduit by which Clapton, through engaging with its community and with potential supporters who are priced out of, or disenfranchised by, the modern game, can re-emerge as one of a new generation of fan-owned clubs. An achievement such as this would go some way to guarantee stability and build upon the 135 year history of our great old Club.
JOIN CLAPTON FC http://www.claptonfc.info/club/join.htm
VINCE’S SPONSORS It has become apparent that Vince McBean has attracted a few new businesses in sponsoring his club. After a season with no shirt sponsor, the famous red and white kit now adorns the motif of ‘Alternative London’ who are a firm that provide Cultural and Tours of London. They describe themselves as having evolved from a small business with a social conscience which one would imagine is a fitting bedfellow to the ethos of the real Clapton FC and the Clapton Ultras. The other sponsors, who have been more visible in and around the ground this season are the 72 Club which runs social events with tribute bands such as the Rolling Clones etc. All good stuff and, their boss Terry Austen in his recent interview on East London Radio was keen to emphasise the importance of affordable pricing and good entertainment. Their schtick at Clapton appears to involve raffles and season tickets etc. The third sponsor, unbeknown to many, was UK Power Networks, a large company who provided labour to help Vince get ready for the new season. Following their first visit they published a press release lauding their efforts and good intentions which was said, by Vince McBean to have saved Clapton thousands of pounds. Their workers were said to have “spruced up the stadium by painting the changing rooms and dugouts, as well as clearing and levelling the ground behind the goal and generally clearing and preparing the stadium for kick off” Sterling work indeed and at least we know that this work was not undertaken from the proceeds of the gate receipts from last season. To cap it all, it was left to Vince to provide an inaccurate citation from the club’s history. Clapton won the FA Cup 5 times and had the first black footballer. A typo you might think? No, it was the same misleading tripe that he spouted at his licensing application to the London Borough of Newham, only, that on that occasion, he reached greater heights of delusion by mentioning a match against AFC Woolwich. So why would these companies give up their time and money to prop up Vince McBean’s Clapton? This question was politely asked of Mr Austen’s 72 Club who promptly deleted the tweet and blocked the real Clapton FC. In the case of ‘UK Power Networks’, it appears that they have done some subsequent due diligence and decided not to return and do further works that were part of the arrangement. One also wonders if Vince McBean’s Clapton, his management of the lease-holding charity, as well as his withdrawing half a million pounds in one year from a charity supporting the homeless and underprivileged, fits in with Alternative London and their business with a Social Conscience? Due diligence is the key. So, are you thinking about having a beer in Mr McBean’s bar this afternoon? Your choice. HOW DID VINCE MCBEAN TAKE CONTROL OF CLAPTON FC? http://www.claptonfc.info/vmcb/home.htm
THE TONS v THE SHRIMPERS The achievement of our team in reaching last season’s cup finals brought back memories of other finals enjoyed by the club in the 1980s when ‘giants were slayed’ and trophies were actually won. Perhaps the finest achievement was by Fred Beaumont’s team when they recorded two cup final victories over Southend United. The first in the 1982/3 final of the Essex Thames-Side trophy and then in the final of the Essex Senior Cup in 1983/4, a result which avenged a defeat by the Shrimpers the previous season’s final. However, perhaps the biggest game between Clapton and Southend United took place st on December 1 1923 in the fifth qualifying round of the FA Cup. Described as ‘Clapton’s Plucky Fight’ in the journals of the day, a crowd of 16,000 at West ham’s Upton Park, witnessed a fine match, in difficult conditions. The professionals from Essex were much the better team in the first half and their excellent combination and accurate passing frequently had the Clapton defence guessing. The Shrimpers scored twice before the interval. It was not unusual in matches between professional and amateur teams that the fitness of the former would eventually be evident and that the second period would normally belong to the pros. However, Clapton were commended for their ‘fine stamina’ and kept Southend going to the finish. The second half was shared, a goal apiece, the Clapton effort coming from the penalty spot by Stanley Earle. The reason for the move to Upton Park was for public safety and the decision was lauded in the press. “Clapton are so true to the amateur traditions that their supporters will not need the assurance that the transfer was not made for material gain.” Doesn’t one love irony, even 92 years later? Gate receipts for the match were £933. The programme of the match was produced by West Ham United. The team sheets reflect the difference between amateur and professional players in that the amateur players are listed with their initials where as the pros are referred to by their surnames only. The programme also makes kind references to some of the Clapton team : “Prominent players of the Clapton club are :- Stanley Earle, who has Captained Essex, and assists The Arsenal on various occasions; Fred Blake, the evergreen, who is a pal and a sport; T.A. Mason, once a London Caley; Charles Williams, brother of our boy international; Norman Riley, who played for the FA against the Army recently; Vivian Gibbins, whom we would gladly welcome as a regular player in the ‘Hammers’ colours.” I cannot find any record of the Southend scorers, for which I apologise to Chris Wood and Brian Jeeves, both of whom are Shrimpers fans with indelible links to the Tons. However, the teams were as follows : Clapton ; T. Mason, E. Penstone, F. Blake, C. Williams, W. Bryant,C. Cable, A. Ryley, S. Earle,V. Gibbins, R. Potter, W. Barnard Southend United : Hall, Evans, Hodge, Dorey, Edwards, Dreyer, Johnson, Whitham, Goodwin, Slater, Davies.
CLAPTON FC - Results and fixtures 2015/16 Date Comp Opponents Ven Result 08 Aug 15 ESL Basildon United A Lost 1-2 11 Aug 15 ESL Eton Manor H Won 3-2 15 Aug 15 FAC Stanway Rovers H Lost 1-2 22 Aug 15 ESL Enfield 1893 H Won 3-0 05 Sep 15 FAV Codicote A Won 4-1 12 Sep 15 ESL Greenhouse Sports H 15 Sep 15 ESL Southend Manor A 19 Sep 15 ESL Sawbridgeworth Town A 26 Sep 15 ESL Burnham Ramblers H 03 Oct 15 FAV Ipswich Wanderers A 06 Oct 15 GBT Newham H 10 Oct 15 ESL Ilford H 24 Oct 15 ESL Hullbridge Sports A 31 Oct 15 ESL Barking H 07 Nov 15 ESL Bowers & Pitsea A 14 Nov 15 ESL Newham H 28 Nov 15 ESL FC Romania H 05 Dec 15 ESL Stansted A 12 Dec 15 ESL London Bari A ESL = Essex Senior League FAC = FA Cup FAV = FA Vase An up to date League Table for the Essex Senior League can be found at http://full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?leagueid=2829940 The contents of this programme, save for the fixtures or where otherwise stated, are the copyright of Clapton Football Club
ESL SNIPPETTS Although its very early days in the League campaign, the surprise packet so far has been the form of Sporting Bengal United. Our friends from Mile End are still unbeaten in the League and this week travelled to Burnham Ramblers for a Vase replay and beat them 4-2, after being 2-0 down at half time. The icing on the cake, however, must be that the splendidly named striker, Prince William, scored another goal for SBU. NB This is not the 30-something bloke who gets in the papers a lot and lives with his wife and a couple of kids in Central London.
TODAY’S TEAMS CLAPTON F.C.
GREENHOUSE LONDON F.C.
Red and White
Purple and White
From … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
From
Papé Diagne Quentin Monville Kristian Haighton Geoff Ocran (Capt.) Tom Webb Mendez Gomez Nathan Cook Jerry Jairette Freddie Morris Pete O’Connor Idu Bogdan Troy Ricketts Peter Moore Jon Green Alex Biddle Paul Barry Cory Alleyne Khadean Campbell Kingsley Davidson Nick Hristov Warren Mfula Ahmed Sirbu Bradley Joseph Roddy Lemba
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Adai Abuzeid Abdullah Aldhalia Sodiq Ayinde Johan Calange Ulrich Chouba-Ngaudji Bankole Koroma Leandre Lohourignon Montel Power-Simpson Ange-Elie Ramariavelo Michael Soile Haile Solomon Gassem Bilal Jorge Torres Derrick Akpofure Taiwo Aliu Johan Calange Oussama Serrar Michael Tabili Abi Lawal Mickandress Mackangou Michael Osei-Kumaning
TODAY’S MATCH OFFICIALS Joseph Gray, Jason Kilby and Kojo Awuku