Clapton v Haringey Borough by Spotted Dog

VIRTUAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

CLAPTON v

HARINGEY BOROUGH Tuesday

3rd

Essex Senior League September 2013 Kick Off 7.45pm

CLAPTON FC – VIRTUALLY THE BEST TEAM IN LONDON

CLAPTON v HARINGEY BOROUGH Our FA Cup run may not have been the longest in the club’s history but has certainly been one of the most publicised. Our opponents Mildenhall Town were a very well organised team but the Tons gave an extremely good account of themselves and, at times, one felt the result could have gone either way. We wish Mildenhall Town all the very best in the next round of the competition. However, The visit from BT Sport as well as non-league groundhoppers and photographers has served to heightened the profile of the club. This is, of course, what any normal club would wish for. Our two FA Cup home games have both seen attendances of over 100. Unprecedented in recent years, one would hope that the ‘club’ would recognise the work that is going on behind the scenes by the Friends of Clapton and other supporters to bring our famous old club ‘above the radar’ once more. Or, perhaps, this is not what the ‘club’ really wants? So, it’s back to the bread and butter of Essex Senior League football this evening and we are delighted to welcome Haringey Borough back to the Dog after a few years of absence. Our two clubs have enjoyed many keen tussles over the years, from the time when they were known as ‘Tufnell Park FC’, to more recent times (relatively) when we were both members of the Ryman Isthmian League. As usual, we wish them an enjoyable evening and a safe journey home to North London later. Once again, everyone is commenting on the incredible support of the Clapton Ultras. Mildenhall Town, who brought a good group of supporters to the game by coach, were the latest to complement our fans. It is also apparent that the players are visibly encouraged by the support of the Ultras and they have been described as Clapton’s 12 th man. Let’s hope this continues this evening. Last weekend Andrew Barr of the Friends of Clapton FC was able to visit the memorial in Arras, France to the 35,000 British soldiers who were lost in action First World War. Among the names on the wall of rememberance is Walter Daniel John Tull. On the cover of today’s iProg you can see the montage left at the wall of rememberance on behalf of the Friends of Clapton FC, the Ultras and other Clapton supporters. Walter Tull, who left the Old Spotted Dog in 1909 having been a member of the victorious Clapton Amateur Cup winning team, signed with Tottenham Hotspur and became the first black Walter Tull is seated front row, professional outfield player. His subsequent military career, in one from the right which he became the first black officer in the British army, led him to the battlefields of northern France where he was killed by machine gun fire in 1918. We will be returning to the story of Walter Tull in future iProgs along with recognition of the other Clapton players who lost their lives in this and other conflicts. Next Saturday is Non league Day which is when here are no Premier League games and their supporters are encouraged to go along to a local Non League match. Unfortunately, our match next Saturday is at Hullbridge Sports. Nonetheless, if you are able to make the trip out to Southend to cheer the Tons, great stuff. Finally, if you wish to contribute to the iProg or have ideas, suggestions and/or criticisms, please do not hesitate to get in touch at info@claptonfc.info GVO

OUR VISITORS

HARINGEY BOROUGH FC

Ground : Coles Park Manager : Tony Loizou

It was not until 1970 that a team played under the name of Haringey Borough when WOOD GREEN TOWN, who had played at Coles Park since 1930, changed their name to Haringey Borough while playing in Intermediate football. But the roots of the Club go back to 1907 when TUFNELL PARK FC was formed and joined the London League in which it played until 1914 and from 1912 to 1914 a team was also entered into the Athenian League.

TUFNELL PARK FC 1926 Wood Green Town was itself a breakaway off-shoot of Tufnell Park in 1911, playing under the name of Tufnell Spartans until 1920. After many name changes and amalgamations which at various times saw the ancestors of the present Club playing in the Isthmian, Athenian, Spartan and Delphian Leagues on a number of different grounds the two Clubs merged in 1973 and played at Coles Park, briefly under the name of Edmonton & Haringey FC until 1976 when the present name was adopted . The Club played in the Athenian League until that Competition closed and they were admitted into the Isthmian League Division 2 North in 1984, remaining in membership for four years but being unable to fulfil their fixtures in 1988/89 due to a mass exodus of management and players just a few weeks before the start of that season. After a year in the wilderness they were admitted to the Spartan League in 1989 retaining Premier Division membership throughout until the South Midlands League merger in season 1997/98 when they finished 7th. in the Premier Division South to secure membership of the new “combined” Premier Division in 1998/99. Premier Division status was retained until the end of season 2006/07 when the Club’s regular flirting with danger finally failed to provide the customary last gasp escape and relegation to Division One ensued, largely due to disastrous early results but the major improvement in the latter stages left us one point adrift of safety. The team bounced back with promotion at the very first attempt and a fine season ended with promotion and winning the Division One Cup. Back in the Premier Division for the season 2008/09 the Club again quickly found itself among the relegation strugglers leading to the appointment of the current Manager – the vastly experienced Tom Loizou. The bottom places were again just avoided but 2009/10 produced a better showing and after a poor start the efforts of the team produced a marked improvement after the enforced winter break owing to the inclement weather. A good run of results thereafter and particularly a run of 7 unbeaten games in April led to the club finishing 15 th in

the Division, the highest for several years. Better was to follow in 2010/11 when 8th place was achieved and the Club entered 2011/12 with Tom Loizou at the helm for the 4 th season and with realistic hopes of making a challenge for the sole promotion spot which until home defeats around Christmas by the 2 front runners looked to be a serious possibility. Once it became clear that it was not on, the opportunity was taken to field teams with the following season in mind and several defeats inevitably followed, although the final placing of 5th represented their best ever performance in the Spartan South Midlands League ; and the winning of the League Challenge Trophy was an exciting end of season bonus From time to time Reserve sides have been fielded for a few seasons but with no real justification for the expense either in their own right or as a testing ground for potential First Team players. Youth teams were also run at various age levels during the first decade of the new century and with considerable success particularly at the older age groups including progress into the 2nd round proper of the FA Youth Cup in 2006/07. Sadly, financial constraints necessitated the closing down of the Youth Section at the end of season 2009/10 but it is hoped that it may be possible to resurrect it when future circumstances are more favourable. HARINGEY BOROUGH HONOURS TUFNELL PARK:FA Amateur Cup - finalists 1919/20; semi - finalists 1911/12 & 1913/14 Spartan League : runners up 1910/11 London Senior Cup : winners 1912/13 & 1923/24 Athenian League : winners 1913/14 Middlesex Charity Cup : winners 1943/44 EDMONTON:Delphian League Emergency Competition winners 1962/63 Athenian League : Division 2 Cup winners 1967/68 and 1968/69 Division 2 runners up 1969/70 WOOD GREEN TOWN:London Junior Cup : runners up 1907/08 London League Division 1(B) : winners 1909/10 Spartan League Division 1 runners up 1937/38 Middlesex Senior League winners 1940/41 HARINGEY BOROUGH:London Senior Cup winners 1990/91 Spartan League Cup runners up 1990/91 Spartan Sth Midlands League Premier Div Cup r/up 1997/98 Spartan Sth Midlands Lge Div 1 : r/up 2007/08 Spartan Sth Midlands Lge Div 1 Cup : winners 2007/08 Spartan Sth Midlands Lgee Challenge Trophy winners 2011/12 HARINGEY BOROUGH WOMEN:Eastern Region League Division 2 runners up 1999/2000 Eastern Region League Division 1 runners up 2001/02 Eastern Region League Plate winners 2001/02 Eastern Region League 5-a-side-Champions 2002 & 2003 Eastern Region League Cup runners up 2005/06 Eastern Region League Division 1 (South) runners up 2011/12

A Women’s Team was formed in 1999 and quickly established itself in the Eastern Region Womens League finishing as runners-up in both the 2nd. and 1st. Divisions to earn promotion to the top Division for 2002/03. It then coped easily to finish fourth in their first season of Regional Premier Division football and have since recorded three further fourth place finishes. The 2001/02 Eastern Region Knock-out Plate was won and in April 2002 (and again in June 2003) they won the Region’s annual 5 a side Tournament. In 2005/06 they were the losing League Cup finalists by the odd goal of seven in a thrilling contest with Norwich City Canaries. In 2009/10 they led the table for a while until the New Year when a disappointing loss of form set in; and they also reached the 2nd Round Proper of the Women’s FA Cup. But 2010/11started after the loss of many established players in the close season and the hastily assembled team struggled throughout and could not avoid bottom spot; but they bounced straight back last season as runners-up in Division 1 South. In the close season Haringey Borough were transferred from to the Essex Senior League and they will, one expects, be one of the more fancied teams this season. Off the field, the club is making good progress under the chairmanship of Solicitor, Achilleas Achillea. A new club house and changing rooms have been built at Coles Park and consequently is fast gaining a reputation as a desirable venue in this area of north London. Their return to the Old Spotted Dog also renews a relationship going back many years and we are delighted to welcome them back as fine opponents and fine adversaries. Our thanks to John Bacon for the above info.

Spencer Hornsey Remembers The following article is lifted from a Clapton programme in 1985. Mr S.C. Hornsey originally took the job of temporary Treasurer at Clapton FC, a job that lasted more than 30 years! I had the honour of being invited to meet him at his home in Buntingford shortly before he passed away and we discussed his love for Clapton and his wish for the club to continue and to thrive. Mr Hornsey was the brother in law of Jim (J.F) Crussell and was truly one of the greatest administrators in Amateur football. - AB

I was born and lived many years within five minutes walk of ‘The Spotted Dog’ and my first schooldays were at Upton Lane School a few yards away from the ground. I have somewhat hazy memories of being taken to a game before the First World War (an Uncle of mine occasionally played for the reserves) and of Clapton winning the FA Amateur Cup, their third success, after the war had started. When I went to West Ham Secondary School, later Stratford Grammar School in 1918, the star footballer was Vivian Gibbins who soon joined Clapton and became an outstanding forward and local hero. By 1922/23 I was a regular supporter and recall an Amateur Cup game with Ipswich Town, then cycling to Erith and Belvedere and being almost heartbroken at a 3-4 Mr S.C. Hornsey defeat in a later round. In this season Ralph Metcalfe (later Clapton FC president) scored five times in the mud at Barking FC in an FA Cup tie and this season was the last time that the Isthmian League Championship came to Forest Gate. In November 1922 I recall travelling to Champion Hill to see an FA Cup replay between Dulwich Hamlet and St Albans City. In this game W.H Minter, a brilliant centre forward scored seven times for St Albans and yet finished on the losing side (7-8!). My reason for going to the game was that Clapton were to play the winners in the next round and the Tons duly won the next game 2-0. In the next round Clapton lost to New Brighton, a club who were about to join the Football League. On Saturday afternoons, one would see streams of people making their way to the old Spotted Dog Ground by cycle, or on foot. There was a cycle rack under the stand and following Clapton became a way of life in the district. The following two seasons produced some unforgettable games. In the 1923/24, the Amateur Cup was won convincingly – beginning with yet another win over Ipswich Town (4-0) and ending with an avenging 3-0 success in the final at New Cross against Erith and Belvedere, the team who had eliminated the Tons the previous year. The six cup games produced 23 goals and only three were conceded. This same year came a great battle in the FA Cup against Queens Park Rangers. The first game at Shepherds Bush ended 4-4 (Clapton had led 4-2 a few minutes from time). However, Rangers won the replay at Spotted Dog 2-0. There was also some outstanding forward play in a London Senior Cup tie against Nunhead where Clapton won 9-0 and, in a league game at Tufnell Park, Vivian Gibbins headed five goals. At the end of that season Stanley (S.G.J.) Earle, who was out of a job, took the drastic step of turning professional with West Ham United. (Wages £3 per week with bonuses - £2 win, £1 draw) In 1924/25, Earle was replaced by H,E. Miller, and the Amateur Cup was retained with the outstanding game being a fourth round tie with Hall (Sheffield FC) at the Spotted Dog. The gates were closed long before the start and most of the 9,000 spectators saw a late penalty put us into the semi-final. Clapton FC were noted for their strict adherence to its amateur status and had several unwritten rules which would seem eccentric today. The team always WALKED onto the pitch (some with hands in pockets). Referee’s decisions were always accepted without viable comment and there was no demonstration or back slapping when a goal was scored. The scorer would merely acknowledge with a wave of the hand the colleague who provided the centre or pass which produced the opening. A sending off was almost unheard of.

The normal charge for admission to the ground was 4d (less than 2p in today’s terms) which included Entertainment Tax. There was a small extra charge for a transfer to the stand and league games normally attracted between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators. However when Leytonstone, Ilford, Dulwich or London Caledonians, the top teams of the day, came to the Spotted Dog or if there was an important cup tie, one could expect many more. In 1925, Vivian Gibbins joined Stanley Earle at West Ham United (as an amateur) and Bill (W.I.) Bryant joined Millwall. Clapton recruited new players in R.H. McNeil at centre half and new forwards in R.L. Morgan, J.A. Massey and J.F. Crussell. It was in this season that saw our best ever run in the FA Cup. As Amateur Cup winners we were exempt from qualifying and entered in the first round proper. Norwich City were beaten 3-1 at the Dog with two brilliant goals from Massey and a penalty from Freddie Blake. Our neighbours Ilford were the only other surviving amateur club and the luck of the draw brought them to the Spotted Dog in the next round. Before a packed ground a fierce game ensued which the Tons won with the only goal and Clapton’s reward was a third round tie at home to Swindon Town. The Hammers, who had been drawn away at Tottenham Hotspur, kindly allowed us to use their ground and after a thrilling cup tie before nearly 30,000 spectators, Swindon scraped home by the odd goal in five, aided by a most amazing decision of the referee. However, as there had been no score at half time we claimed that we gone further in the cup then West Ham as they were 3-0 down at half time and went on to lose 5-0. The following year saw us play Brentford, whose team included the great Middlesex and England cricketer Patsy Hendren. The first game at the Spotted Dog ended in a 1-1 draw and in the replay, Clapton were three up in ten minutes thanks to a hat trick by George Osbourne. However, the Bees who were clearly the fitter professional team came back to win 7-3. OTTERY ST MARY FC In a recent Clapton programme I was astounded to see a reference to Ottery St Mary FC and the installation of their new floodlights. When I retired to Ottery St Mary in 1967, I was soon talked into joining the Football Club Committee. I persuaded them to enter the Amateur Cup for the first time in their history and when the Devon County Youth side entertained Somerset at the ground, I was asked to act as ‘host’ to the visitors. When the Somerset party alighted from their coach, their manager immediately said to me “What are you doing here?” He was George Burnham, a schoolmaster and played at right back for Clapton before and after the second World War. George used to partner Jim Crussell, who also lived in Ottery at the time, at the heart of the Clapton defence and I was able to get them together for a good chat about old times. I went on to be a Vice Chairman of the Otters, so you can imagine my surprise to see a reference to them in a Clapton programme. From the matchday programme – Clapton v Berkhamsted Town 29/04/1986

DID YOU KNOW ? That Clapton FC, although one of the oldest clubs affiliated to the Essex County FA, were initially refused membership of the Association because it was held that they were actually a Middlesex Club. This was even though the Tons had crossed the River Lea and were playing in Walthamstow. However, once arrived at the Old Spotted Dog, Clapton soon acquired sufficient players with the requisite qualification – Essex born or resident two years preceding the match and in 1890/1 won the cup by beating Harwich and Parkestone 7-0 at Leyton Cricket Ground. The Essex Senior Cup

On that same day Clapton (with eleven other players, who were said to be the first XI) won the Middlesex Senior Cup

THE CLAPTON TEAM PEN PICTURES PEPE DIAGNE - Joins up for his second spell at Clapton. Senegal international keeper. Has played for Ilford and Bethnal Green.

NEIL MATTHEWS : Always a good leader with excellent passing range. Loves to be the team joker. Was a Charlton schoolboy. Has also played for Ilford. LEWIS ROWLAND - Joined the Tons in the summer and will be good competition for the number 1 shirt.

CHRIS INDO - Centre half. Recently joined from Boreham Wood. Fast and good on the ground

MATT TACEY - Strong hardworking centre half. Recently re-joined Clapton after 5 years. Ex Stansted player

PETER MOORE - Peter loves a tan, and like his tan, is looking a hot prospect for the coming season at left back. Another ex Ilford player. KENECHUKWU ANATUNE (KC) Midfielder with a superb engine. Rejoins Tons after spells in Scotland on trial. Good work ethic and a bonus to have him at the club. SAM NAYLOR - Sam can play right back or centre half. He is a good passer who reads the game well. A good addition to the Team. He has played for Canvey previously. DEAN BOUHO - Strong centre half. Equally at home in the middle of the park. Signed last season from Enfield. The lad has a great attitude. JOHN HUGHES - Left back with a cultured left peg. Vastly experienced having had spells at Redbridge, Ilford, and Basildon.

BEN LOWES - Midfielder and Team Captain. Loves to dominate from the centre of the park. Ex Canvey Island player. Good leader on and off the pitch and has great hair!

JAMES BRIGGS - Good range of passing. Impressed in pre season. Previously at Boreham Wood and Redbridge.

ROB ARUNDELL - Left back or centre midfielder. Strong in the tackle. Good utility player. Joined in the summer.

BILLY RUNGAY - Superb work rate. Joined from Brentwood Town. A force from the centre of the pitch either as attacking midfielder or forward.

LADI OSUNLADE - Played in league 1 for Portsmouth last season. A wide player with an eye for goal.

JERRY (ABS) JARRIETTE - Can play anywhere but his pace will get him goals this season. Back at the Tons after leaving for Enfield midway through last season.

CORY ALLEYNE - Pacey forward. Recently joined from Yeading FC. A good addition to the side

NICK READ - First season at this level. Has pace and a good eye for goal. Scored many goals at lower levels.

ROY JONES - Now in his third spell with the club after signing from Sporting Bengal. Experienced forward. Also coaches the youth teams at the Tons.

DAVEY ARMSTRONG - More clubs than Tiger Woods! All action and loves to hit long range efforts.

LUKE KANJOR - Former Welling and Thamesmead player. Very composed on the ball. Also likes to get forward. Another good addition to the side.

JAMIE POOLEY - Good ball player. Likes to pick a pass. Played for West Ham as a schoolboy and also Ilford and Basildon.

GEORGE DAWSON - Ex Bishops Stortford keeper good stopper and will provide cover this season.

REISS DE SOUZA - Son of the famous pro, Miguel. Great distribution and a versatile player who can play anywhere centrally. Signed from Barking.

CHRIS WOOD (MANAGER) - Experienced Manager, now in his second spell at Clapton FC. Chris has also managed Ilford, Mauritius Sports and Basildon. As a player he played for Southend as a junior, then went on to East Thurrock before becoming a regular at Ilford for over 10 seasons, eventually as club captain. NEIL DAY (ASSISTANT MANAGER) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Previously served at Enfield and Ilford, Neil is an experienced coach and the perfect foil for Chris Wood.

PLAYER PROFILE - JAMIE POOLEY Name: Jamie Pooley Where do you live: Born in East London now live in Essex Married /Single etc? : Engaged Occupation: Employed full time at Barclays Bank Position: Centre Midfield Previous Club(s): Grays Athletic, Ilford, Tilbury, Basildon United. Why did you come back to Clapton? - I have played for Chris Wood for the last few years

and when he said he was coming to Clapton I knew he would bring good players and a good team spirit to a club with lots of history. What are your impressions of the team for this season? - I feel we have a good squad

with great competition for places. We have no big time players which is great. All the boys listen and respect each other. Recent performances have been encouraging, but do you think we have the strength in ©pitchsidephoto.co.uk depth to copy with injuries etc? I feel we have great competition for places and all the boys are working hard to keep and win there shirt. Having a reserve team is a massive plus because it means players who are not involved can keep match fit and sharp. How do you or the players respond to the wave or renewed interest in the club and the support from the Scaffold? I feel the fans are fantastic and by far best in non league. It really makes a difference and all the boys really appreciate it. We want to be a success this season and help put Clapton back on the map with the help from the great supporters. Have you any advice for the fans ? - To continue to create the fantastic atmosphere and get behind the team, we appreciate it. Is there anything you would like to see at Clapton? - A nice playing surface ha ha. Successful season and a good cup run. Which pro team do you support? – West Ham Your favourite player? - Steven Gerrard Your favourite ground? – Upton Park followed by the Nou Camp Your Favourite meal? - Nandos chicken and rice Favourite music/bands? - I like all different types of music from house, R&B, old School garage, reggae, and a bit of late night love songs. Favourite holiday destination? – Dominican Republic Favourite film? – Love Honour and Obey Favourite TV programme? - Match of the Day, Only Fools and Horses Who do you follow on Twitter, and why? - David Gold, he speaks the truth and updates me on all the latest West Ham news. Great bloke.

Thanks to Jamie for the contributing the above. Incidentally, I cannot let this opportunity pass without mentioning that James Pooley is the name of one of the foremost fictional characters in the books of Robert Rankin. The books, which are known as the Brentford Trilogy recount supernatural goings on in the West London borough and James Pooley is the lager-drinking, yankee-betting hero. Check it out !

CLAPTON SOUVENIRS AND MERCHANDISE CLAPTON SCARVES AVAILABLE NOW

ONLY £7.00 OR £5.00 UNWAGED ETC Click here

CLAPTON ENAMEL BADGES 100 YEARS AT THE OLD SPOTTED DOG

£ 3.50 each click here

CLAPTON FC FIXTURES 2013/14

Sat 10/08/13 Tue 13/08/13 Sat 17/08/13 Sat 17/08/13 Tue 27/08/13 Sat 31/08/13 Tue 03/09/13 Sat 07/09/13 Sat 14/09/13 Sat 21/09/13 Sat 28/09/13 Tue 01/10/13 Sat 05/10/13 Sat 12/10/13 Sat 19/10/13 Sat 24/10/13

ESL ESL FA CUP FA CUP ESL FA CUP ESL ESL ESL FA VASE ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL

Bowers and Pitsea Tower Hamlets Stanway Rovers Stanway Rovers London Bari Mildenhall Town Haringey Borough Hullbridge Sports London APSA Wotton Blue Cross Basildon United Ilford Stansted Sawbridgeworth Town Eton Manor Southend Manor

A H H A A H

This season’s Non league Day takes place on Saturday 7th September. This is the day when Premier League fixtures don’t take place and fans of the big clubs are invited to go along to their local team and support the. This season we are away at Hullbridge Sports, whilst we appreciate it is hardly a local fixture, we cordially invite any West Ham fans to come along to he game and show support for the Tons. (It’s closer than Swansea!) Further details of the game will follow in our next imatch programme but please, stick this in your diary and get behind the lads!

0-0 2-3 0-0 1-0 2-0 0-2 HOME AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME HOME AWAY

Jarriette, Alleyne Matthews Jerome, Hughes

7.45PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM

THE CLAPTON BOOKWORM NEIL SPRING is author of the debut novel THE GHOST HUNTERS - based on the true story of Borley Rectory and Harry Price.

Find out more at facebook here

LOOKING BACK 31 Aug 1985 - FA Trophy Prelim Rd Leyton Wingate 5 Clapton 0 Following an excellent 1-1 draw at the Dog the previous week,, Clapton are given a tanning by their Isthmian Premier League opponents. 2 Sep 1986 Vauxhall Opel League Division Two North Harlow Town 1 Clapton 0 Tons lose in a game most notable for a first half injury to debutant goalkeeper Andy Joyce and substitute Martin Donovan, normally a striker, keeping a clean sheet for the remainder of the game. 31 Aug 1987 – AC Delco Cup Prelim Round Clapton 2 Tring Town 0 Goals from Chris Patten and Joe Williams are enough to take manager Mickey Connolly’s team into the next round of the Isthmian League Cup. .

£1,000 F.A. CUP PRIZE MONEY Dispelling the Myths (2) What good news that the club earned £1,000 in prize money for winning the tie against Stanway Rovers. In his recent article for the Newham Recorder, Clapton boss Chris Wood mentioned how the money may be used with ground improvements, floodlights etc. Unfortunately, Chris misses a very important point. The maintainance of the ground is not the responsibility of Clapton FC, but of the Newham Community Leisure Trust Ltd, a charity and company limited by guarantee, who hold the lease. The objects of the trust company include “providing or assisting in the provision of a Sports Centre and ancillary facilities for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objects of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants." The Trust should be the recipient of all the rental monies for the Vodaphone phone mast on the ground as well the money raised through pitch and club house rentals. This includes the rentals from London Bari FC and London Apsa previously and all the othr lettings that happen during the season. That being the case, one wonders why our facilities are as they are and why the pitch is in such a state that it was described by last week’s opponents as being ‘agricultural’. This is no way is meant to criticise those who do work on the pitch before a game. They can only do so much and one cannot polish a turd. However, the confusion over the respective roles of Club and Trust seem to be indemic in that the Clapton FC ‘chief executive’ and director of the Trust, Mr McBean, said in his statement of April 2013 that the club had installed a new drainage system at the ground. If such a system was installed:a. it certainly doesn’t work and those who installed it should be called back immediately to make good b. The drainage system, should have been installed at the expense of the Trust and not the club. Unfortunately, those involved with both Club and Trust appear to have fallen into a position whereby their roles are becoming more blurred and consequentially, conflicts are arising in the exercise of their respective roles. This was pointed out to the club as long ago as 2002 by the Charity Commission. Report available here. In their latest statement of accounts (2011), which have not been audited, the gross income of the Trust was said to be £6,321. This is a remarkably modest return given the rental incomes referred to above. Perhaps it is now high time that bodies, such as the Charity Commission and the London Borough of Newham revisited the issue of the Newham Community Leisure Trust and it’s relationship with those who consider themselves to be running the entity known as Clapton FC. As for the £1,000, perhaps the club can buy some new goal nets, an away kit, some footballs for training and matchday, or even a roller. More to follow.

If you are interested in bringing about a democratic Clapton FC where there is a voting membership, an elected committee and officers? If so, join the Friends of Clapton FC. www.friendsofclaptonfc.info/join/1.htm

PLAYER SPONSORS 2013/14 PLAYER

SPONSOR

CRAIG GREENWOOD (Club Capt.)

ANDREW BARR

PEPE DIAGNE GAVIN CLARKE NICK READ

PLAYER BEN LOWES (Team Capt.)

JOHNNY BRIGGS CORY ALLEYNE

JAMIE POOLEY

SPONSOR

IAN & PETER SIMPSON

PETER MOORE G.V.O

SAM NAYLOR

NEIL MATTHEWS

JOHNNY HUGHES

ZAC ATTAN

STEFAN NEILSEN

BILLY RUNGAY

ROB ARUNDEL

MATT TACEY

LEWIS ROWLAND

MITCH LEWES

FEMI COKER

WES DE OLIVERA

JERRY JANNETTE

MARK NURSE (Coach)

It costs just £50 to sponsor a player for the season. In return we will give you, or your business, an acknowedgement in each of the Virtual Programmes and on our website thoughout the season. PLUS - A FREE CLAPTON REPLICA SHIRT (L or XL) or a CLAPTON SCAFFOLD BRIGADA SCARF Email info@claptonfc.info All proceeds from the player sponsorship, virtual tickets and iMatch Programmes will be used to help the team, buy equipment, assist with travel costs to away matches, wash the kit etc. (the expenses which would normally be incurred by a football club at this level).

THE LINE UPS CLAPTON FC ‘The Tons’

HARINGEY BOROUGH FC

Red Shirts, White Shorts, Red Socks Manager ; Chris Wood Assistant : Neil Day

Yellow and Blue Manager : Tom Loizou Coach : Peter Theori

PEPE DIAGNE SAM NAYLOR JOHNNY HUGHES NEIL MATTHEWS MATT TACEY CRAIG GREENWOOD JAMIE POOLEY BILLY RUNGAY ABS JARRIETTE NICK READ JAMES BRIGGS CORY ALLEYNE PETER MOORE ROB ARUNDELL CHRIS MOGOWO ROY JONES JEROME MARTELLI RAPHAEL DUVILLE

ERBIL BOZKURT DANIEL WALKER CEDRIC LAKOLE DEWAYNE CLARKE JOSEPH O'CEARUILL DANIEL GUDGEON SOLOMON SHIELDS STEPHEN OBENG DEAN FENTON ANTHONY McDONALD NICK NICOU LAWRENCE CONSTANTI BRADLEY O'DONOVAN ADAM ANDREOU LEWIS LAWS PATOU KATSHENGE ANDREAS LOIZOU AUSTIN BYFIELD

MATCH OFFICIALS : REFEREE – Jamie Pope LINOS - Adekunle Jide Fawunmi. Jerome Francourt

OUR NEXT HOME MATCH

THEN

SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2013

SATURDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2013

CLAPTON v LONDON APSA

CLAPTON v ILFORD

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE KICK OFF 3.00PM AT THE DOG

“LET ’EM ALL COME DOWN TO THE DOG” Save the Spotted Dog A group formed to preserve the famous old Tudor pub that adjoins the Clapton football ground. Save the Dog ! www.savethespotteddog.org

E7 Now and Then LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY WEBSITES Contact Us and we’ll include your site in our next virtual issue.

A Community Website giving the latest news from London E7 as well as a look back on the history and people of E7 http://www.e7-nowandthen.org

The Woodgrange Web

10 Sebert Road, Forest Gate

Local community website covering news of events and what’s on in Forest Gate www.woodgrange.org.uk

CLAPTON FC – VIRTUALLY THE BEST TEAM IN LONDON VIRTUAL MATCHDAY TICKET HOLDERS – Mark Barlow, Michael Fogg, Andrew Barr, Ian Simpson, Peter Simpson, Gavin Clarke, Paul Maybin, Michael Cogan, Lew Listz, Ken Harris, Martin McShea, David Barr, Dermot Donovan