VIRTUAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
CLAPTON ILFORD v Essex Senior League Tuesday 1st October 2013 Kick Off 7.45pm Available on www.claptonfc.info
CLAPTON FC – VIRTUALLY THE BEST TEAM IN LONDON
Clapton Football Club HONOURS LIST Formed as ‘Downs FC’ in 1877 Re-named Clapton Football Club in 1878 Founder members of the Southern League Founder members of the Isthmian League (now Ryman League) The First English Club to play on the Continent. (1890) FA AMATEUR CUP WINNERS 1906/07, 1908/09, 1915/15, 1923/24. 1924/25 Runners Up 1904/05 ISTHMIAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 1910/11, 1922/23. Runners Up 1905/06, 1907/08. 1909/10, 1924/25 Division Two Champions 1982/83 ESSEX SENIOR CUP WINNERS 1890/91, 1924/25, 1925/26, 1954/55, 1983/8 LONDON SENIOR CUP WINNERS 1888/89. 1908/09, 1910/11 Runners Up 1988/89 ESSEX SENIOR TROPHY WINNERS 1988/89 ESSEX THAMESIDE TROPHY WINNERS 1982/83, 1983/84 A.F.A. INVITATION SENIOR CUP WINNERS 1965/66 Founded by W.R Davies, at a meeting in his father’s house at 11 Queensdown Road, Clapton E5, August of 1877, Downs FC started playing on Hackney Downs. Three years later in 1880, and with a name change to Clapton Football Club, the Tons moved the short distance to North Mill Field, Leyton. Later that year the Tons were offered their first private enclosure at Elm Farm with a rental of £10 per year. They moved once more before settling at the Dog, to Pilgrims Farm, Walthamstow. It was the founding of the LondonFA that introduced Clapton FC to the Spotted Dog, The Tons played an LFA Cup match against City Albion who had a pitch in the field just north of the Dog. The tenants of the Dog were St Bartholemews Hospital who were about to vacate, so Clapton obtained a lease from the owner, Mrs Vause. It was a bold step, the rent was £35 a year, whilst the club’s annual income amounted to £40. The opening game at the Dog took place on the 29 th September 1888 and the Clapton team beat a team from Old Carthusians by a goal to nil. The scorer was J.S. Sellars. The ground was a roped enclosure and the players changed in a barn in Upton Lane. Many games drew crowds of 4,000 or more, and several notable Ton’s players were recruited from those watching when numbers were short. In 1982 a Southern League game was the first league match ever to be played at the Dog. Before this, only friendly and cup matches had taken place. The brewers, Watneys took over the freehold of the ground and during the second world war the Dog became an anti-aircraft station. During these five years, Clapton played at Newbury Park, the home of Ilford FC. A crowd of 12,000 watched Clapton play Spurs in a cup tie in 1898 which resulted in a 1-1 draw. In more ‘recent’ times, a crowd of 2,000 witnessed an FA Amateur Cup match against Barnet in 1964. In 1992, the Clapton Trust managed to negotiate and finally secure, in 1995, a 99 year lease on the ground. This achievement should have secured the club’s future at the Old Spotted Dog, however, recent events and mismanagement have placed this security in jeopardy will need to be addressed to secure the club future once more.
CLAPTON v ILFORD An East London Derby and, with respect to our neighbours at London Apsa, Tower Hamlets and Sporting Bengal United, a meeting of Clapton and Ilford is a very special game indeed and was once without parallel in the game of amateur football. The clubs have been closely linked over the past 130 years. They were founder members of both the Southern and Isthmian Leagues, they both won the Amateur Cup on more than one occasion and have had, within their ranks, some of the finest amateur players in the history of the game. During both world wars, the Ilford club were kind enough to allow the Tons to use Newbury Park whilst the Old Spotted Dog was being used to support the war effort. Ilford FC also hosted Clapton’s last ‘home’ match in the FA Cup proper when Queens Park Rangers were the opposition in a first round tie in 1957. Thus, whilst much was made of the rivalry between the clubs, there existed a mutual respect and friendship, of which both, can be proud. The paths that bring both clubs to today’s game has been equally difficult for each of them. In the 1970s, the Ilford club found themselves without a ground and having to merge with Leytonstone. A few seasons later, and another merger, this time with Walthamstow Avenue, Redbridge Forest FC was born. Eventually, this ‘hybrid club’ ended up with Dagenham at Victoria Road. However, a group of Ilford supporters had formed a new Ilford club in 1987. After a few seasons of uncertainty and teething problems, they established the club in the Essex Senior League and eventually won promotion back to the Isthmian ranks. That, in itself, was a great achievement and one of which their predecessors at Newbury Park would have been proud. There are many lessons to be learned by the Clapton club from the recent history of our friends from Ilford. A club without a a ground is all but finished and, in the words of Lord Stockton, “You can only sell the family silver once”. This is why we must remain vigilant over Clapton’s security of tenure at the ground and make sure that those who, at this present time, are responsible for the administration and management of the lease, do not sell the club short. The win at Wootton Blue Cross was another excellent committed team performance by the Tons. Another foray into extra time but on this occasion, Matt Tacey’s goal secured our path into the first round proper of the Vase. Once again, the support for the team was tremendous and is now becoming something of legend with clips on You Tube and the Ultras being the subject of discussions on non league forums etc. Well done the Ultras! Our win at Wootton has been rewarded with a superb home tie against neighbours Barking on Saturday 19th October. Barking are very much a team in form but it will take a brave man to write off Chris Wood’s men these days, A very entertaining and exciting match is in prospect. Stick the date in your diary. The injury list at the Dog shows no let up. Cameroon was carried off during the Takeley match with a torn quad muscle. He spent the night in Newham General but is is hoped he will be back in action in a few weeks. Long term absentees are Luke Kanjor who is expected to return to training in around 2 weeks after a lengthy lay off, and James Briggs who suffered a slight break to a bone in his foot after the Mildenhall FA Cup game. He is expected to return in around 4 weeks. Thus the playing squad is being stretched, however, the superb team spirit is there for all to see and those coming back from injury will undoubtedly have to fight to get their place back in the side. The newest recruit to the side is Tom Jeffes, who has playing experience with Bashley and Wimborne Town. Tom became interested in signing for the Tons once he saw the Clapton Ultras on You Tube. Welcome Tom and Vive les Ultras ! Enjoy the game tonight. We have a tough, but winnable, away match at Stansted on Saturday. If you can get there to give the lads a cheer, do it. It’s not difficult to get to by train and there are some decent pubs en route to the ground. Come On You Tons !!!!
OUR VISITORS
ILFORD FC The Foxes Formed: 1987 Ground Address: Cricklefield Stadium, High Road, Ilford. IG1 1UE 020 8514 8352
It is not surprising that the young men of Ilford in the 1880's should have decided that they would use their new found recreation time on a Saturday to play football. It was probably the "in thing" at the time. Less than twenty years old as an organised game the FA Cup had been going for almost a decade and everywhere new teams were springing up. Ilford was but a village - although with some 7,500 inhabitants, it must have been a pretty big one. That was the setting for a group of young men to be playing a game of football on a field where now the Town Hall stands. The impromptu kick-about led to these men forming their own club. It was to be known as Ilford Alliance there already being an "Ilford" in existence. The date was the 20 thOctober 1881. Their can be little doubt from the early records of the club that the driving force behind the club was the Porter family who had considerable business interests in what was to become a rapidly growing town over the next half a century. However they were not alone and the club was set up with the help of R. Gilderson, (whose son Eric played in the mighty teams of the late 1920's), W. M. Lusby, a well known music hall proprietor (who was the first President) as well as H. Watts and C. Stenning (a later Secretary). A couple of years on, the original Ilford club had folded and in the 1883/84 season Ilford dropped the"Alliance" from their title. The first senior honour to come Ilford's way was the Essex Senior Cup in 1888. In the Final at Chelmsford 3,500 spectators saw the club beat Upton Excelsior. It led to the Ilford Volunteer Band writing and performing a commemorative song. Ilford played a major part in the formation of three competitions as well as playing in the first ever FA Amateur Cup competition of 1893/4. Firstly for the 1894/95 season they became founder members of the Southern League, finishing fourth. In the next season however, the competition took a determined step towards professionalism, which was not to the liking of the club, they finished bottom and immediately withdrew. They were then invited to become inaugural members of the London League, for 1896/7 two years later they switched to the South Essex League and then also played in the Metropolitan Amateur League. During these years the Club played at the Ilford Sports Ground, situated in Balfour Road, where many famous opponents visited Ilford Millwall were once defeated in a semi-final of the London Senior Cup. During the period to 1901 the population of Ilford had risen to 42,000 and the village had given way to a booming town. Perhaps not surprising then that the Ilford Sports Ground fell into the hands of developers in what is now an area very close to the town centre, station and all other amenities. It is worth noting that the ground was used to stage the semi-final of the Amateur Cup in 1899/00 when Lowestoft Town beat Marlow 1-0, and also that Ilford even before the Isthmian League's formation had twice been beaten semi-finalists in the FA Amateur Cup. Losing 4-6 to Old Malvernians at Tottenham in 1901/2 and Clapton 1-2, at the same venue three years later. The demise of the Ilford Sports Ground led to Ilford's move to their home for three quarters of a century, Lynn Road, Newbury Park. Old opponents Clapton were the first visitors, there was torrential rain, but Ilford won 2-1 and there was an evening celebration at the White Horse, by the Broadway. Many famous clubs visited. Nottingham Forest, Northampton Town, Manchester City, Brentford and Aston Villa all came to Newbury Park. It was the formation of the Isthmian League in 1905 that turned Ilford into one of the most respected amateur clubs in the country for many decades. The twenties were arguably the best decade in the history of Ilford Football Club. They purchased Lynn Road, and in successive seasons, 1921 and 1922 were league champions. In 1927/28 Ilford notched 134 goals in all competitions and a year later won the FA Amateur Cup at Highbury, beating Leyton, the holders, 3-1. They repeated their Amateur Cup win the following year, beating Bournemouth Gasworks Athletic 5-1 at West Ham United. In 1935/6 they again reached the Amateur Cup Final and in a thrilling match at Selhurst Park they drew 1-1. The replay at West Ham a fortnight later was lost 0-2. After the War in the fifties there were two major highlights. The memorable win in the London Senior Cup Final against Hounslow Town on 8th May 1954 at Highbury, whilst four years later Ilfordians swelled the Wembley crowd for the 1958 Amateur Cup Final against Woking to 70,000. Ilford, surprise finalists, started brightly but succumbed 3-0. In the 60's there was little of glory for Ilford, and it wasn't until the last season of the Amateur Cup in 1974 for the club to taste glory of any kind again. Ilford were again surprise finalists losing 4-1 to Bishop's Stortford in the old competition that was to be replaced by the FA Vase and Trophy.
Two years later the ground was sold to Fairview Homes and the club sought a site in the north of the borough on the old Fairlop aerodrome. In the end there was not enough left of the original ÂŁ325,000 sale money left to redevelop the site and members voted to merge with Leytonstone for the 1979/80 season. In 1987 Ilford Football Club was reborn as a junior club by a group of dedicated former supporters in a desire to see a team with the town name again playing in the environs of Ilford. However Senior Status and a place in the Essex Senior League were only achieved when Redbridge Council permitted the use of the Cricklefield Stadium for the 1996/97 season. The club finished in a respectable mid-table position. They also won their group of the Essex Floodlight Competition and progressed to three semi-finals in different competitions. By season 1999/2000 the Club had achieved its best position so far in the Essex Senior League finishing in fourth position. Season 2000/01 saw the club finish sixth, whilst for 2001/02 season after a disastrous first half to the season they climbed to a respectable mid table ninth. The 2001/02 season's main achievement was the run in the London Senior Cup which saw the team eventually losing in the fifth round after defeating Ryman League sides, Romford (at the time) and Ford United. The 2002/03 season proved to be a most successful season with an overall finish of third spot in the Essex Senior League being he club's best effort since once again gaining senior status. For much of the middle part of the season Ilford held pole position only to drop away a little in April, finally finishing third. However the season did have its reward when the Essex Senior League Cup was lifted on May Day Monday after a 1-0 win over Sawbridgeworth Town on Barkingside's ground. Runners-up spot in the Essex Senior League in the 2003/04 season led to the club being offered a place in Ryman League Division Two for season 2004/05. With a sense of history and a desire to return to their spiritual home, the once founders of the Isthmian League were absolutely delighted to be back in the competition as it celebrated its 100th season last year. The club saw the move as yet another stepping stone as it attempts to steadily re-build towards its former very respected position in non-league football. The season turned into a whirlwind with a steady progress up the Division culminating in a 5-0 win at Wembley which brought the Division two title to Ilford and the season was capped on the May Day Bank Holiday with a fine hard fought 2-1 victory after extra time over Flackwell Heath to lift the associate Members Trophy Much of the effort that has been put in at the club has been in improving the facility at the Cricklefield Stadium. The Club have been successful in obtaining an ÂŁ850,000 National Lottery grant in order to build a clubhouse facility that will be used by all interest groups that use the multi-purpose stadium. The three years of effort and dedication in this area came to fruition when the new Clubhouse opened its doors for the first time on December 14th 2002. Planning for the future did not stop at this point however, and in 2004 work started on the provision of facilities that would assist the Club in obtaining a grading for step with turnstiles installed at both entrances to the ground as well as a separated area for home and visiting Club Officials and for representatives of the press. Concrete covered accommodation on the far side of the ground was ordered and erected in what will surely be a record nine days and the Match officials Dressing Room was re-located within the complex to comply with the grading requirements. The on field and off field partnership between Officials, Management, Players and Staff was rewarded with confirmation that the next step of the Pyramid had been reached and with it a position in Division One East of the Southern League for 2005-06 season - It was our first return to the league we played in during its opening two seasons in 1894/5 and 1895/6. However it was not a successful adventure and after losing one manager and sacking another, the Club Vice-Chairman, Mel Attwell took the managerial reins, "steadied the ship" and bought a sense of order to what was otherwise a chaotic time. Unfortunately he could not stop us finishing in 21st position, but a re-organisation of Step Four of the National League System kept Ilford along with many others due for the drop to step five at the level we had fought so hard to achieve just a twelve month earlier. Ilford survived in the Ryman League until last season when they finished bottom of Division One North. Following relegation, the club has now appointed Martin Haywood as the new manager for the start of the 201314 campaign. So, Ilford have returned to the Essex Senior League and, they will excuse us for being pleased to welcome them back, if only that we can renew the fine encounters between traditional rivals, but great friends.
JOIN THE FRIENDS OF CLAPTON FC Clapton FC are one of the most famous amateur clubs in English football history. They not only won the FA Amateur Cup on five occasions but are recognised by the Football Association as being the first English club to play on the continent and thus instrumental in the growth of the game. In addition, Clapton players have represented England at full International level and numerous others have progressed to the professional ranks and performed with distinction. However, as amateur football became semi-professional and beyond, Clapton's tenure as a prominent club declined. However, they continued to compete in the Isthmian League, a competition that Clapton members were instrumental in founding in 1905. A hundred years later, Clapton were sadly demoted to the Essex Senior League, a competition in which they compete today. Throughout this time Clapton have played at The Old Spotted Dog Ground in Forest Gate, London. This small enclosure, buried amongst residential housing, had hosted both cricket and football before Clapton became tenants in 1888. Clapton are synonymous with the 'Old Spotted Dog' and it remains one of the last traditional bastions of football in the East End of London, an area that has lost great football clubs such as Walthamstow Avenue, Leytonstone and Leyton in recent years. The Clapton players of today represent the club in the great tradition of their predecessors of the yesteryear. Unfortunately, today, the club does not function as a members club where a committee and officers are elected by the membership. Furthermore, it is claimed by Mr Vincent McBean that he owns the club. We have documents that tend to show this to be incorrect along with others that disprove his apparent claims to ownership of the ground, lease, and adjoining warehouse (the delightful tyre shop). We are also aware, and have court documents that show that McBean has, in fact, previously undertook to sell the leasehold interest, in his role as a director of a charitable trust. Whilst the primary objectives of the Friends of Clapton FC was to help those who run, administer and play for the Tons, the entity that claims to be Clapton FC has neither acknowledged or accepted that the Friends group have a role to play in the future of the club and would prefer to continue in it’s present shambolic state. In the meantime, the Friends of Clapton remain vigilant as to any perceived problems, and of issues, such as tenure on the ground, that are not addressed by the ‘club’. For example, earlier this year, the lease on the ground was only weeks away from forfeiture, due to maladministration by the self proclaimed 'club owner’. (Not filing accounts at Companies House) The continuance and well-being of the club, the security of tenure at the Old Spotted Dog Ground and promotion of Clapton FC's activities in an open and forthright manner would re-establish the club in the world of football as well as the local community. However, this is not currently on the agenda of those currently running the ‘club’. We believe that Clapton Football Club is deserving of support and whose survival is important, not only to the local area, but also to the sport of association football, the development of which, owes much to the Clapton players, officials and supporters of yesteryear. Please join us and bring about change at Clapton FC by clicking here Any questions or enquiries to secretary@friendsofclaptonfc.org
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 PROFILE – TOM JEFFES Name – Tom Jeffes You live in (London/Essex/Newham?) South Woodford Married/Engaged/Single Engaged (Getting married in June 2014) Occupation – Commercial Manager for Leyton Orient FC Position. – Centre forward Previous Clubs – Bashley, Wimborne Town, Poole Town and Christchurch Why did you come to Clapton? Jonny Davies at work mentioned the club and told me to watch the Ultras on YouTube. I had to sign after seeing the videos! What are your impressions of the team for this season? The team looked very solid against Wooton on Saturday and have had some impressive results so far this season. How do the you or the players respond to the wave or renewed interest in the club and the support from the Scaffold? The support on Saturday was unbelievable, they didn’t stop singing all game!! The word is spreading fast about the club and hopefully the interest will keep growing. Have you any advice for the fans? Keep singing and back the team through everything as it makes a massive difference! Also, please don’t sing about my hair (or lack of it) :) Is there anything you would like to see at Clapton? A conga around the pitch from the Ultras at the Ilford game!! Which pro team do you support? Bournemouth Your favourite player ? Alan Shearer Your favourite ground ? Emirates (Arsenal) Favourite meal? Steak and Chips Favourite music/bands? Timberlake, Drake, Macklemore and Chris Brown! Favourite holiday destination? Cyprus but Borneo and Maldives for the honeymoon will top everything. Favourite film? Gladiator Favourite TV programme? Match of the day Who do you follow on Twitter, and why? Footballers and mates mostly! I have no idea why I follow any of them ! Thank you to Tom for the above information. The Friends of Clapton FC welcome him to the Old Spotted Dog and wish him well, not only during his stay with the Tons, but also in his career at Leyton Orient. (who aren’t doing too badly either, since his arrival !)
CLAPTON PLAYERS OF THE PAST PETER GROTIER Peter Grotier was born in Stratford on 18th October 1950. He was a goalkeeper who joined Clapton from school and left in 1969 to join West Ham United with whom he stayed until 1974. Amongst others he also played for Cardiff City, Lincoln City and Grimsby Town. He went on to be reserve team coach at Grimsby, and in 1985 had a spell as caretaker manager of the first team. He made an appearance in goal for Grimsby against Watford in the F.A. Cup in 1986, at the age of 36.
CLAPTON MATCHES FROM THE PAST Clapton v Ilford – Isthmian league – Saturday 26th September 1926. Over the years, clashes between Clapton and Ilford have been legendary. In the 1920s, the two clubs were arguably the country’s best football teams in the amateur game. It would be easy to have selected a game during the two seasons when Clapton swept all before them and more particularly the FA Cup second round game in 1925, won by the Tons which was the last such game played by two totally amateur teams in the second round of the competition proper. However, this game saw the start of the break up of the great Clapton teams. S.G. (Stanley) Earle had joined West Ham United, great stalwart W.I (Bill) Bryant had moved to Millwall. Others from the great team remained, A Moore in goal, E.A.Penstone, C.F. Williams and J.A. Massey and, of course IVA (Viv) Gibbins, who was unfortunately injured for this game. The club had recruited the young J.F. Crussell in place of Bryant and it was he who was to become the great Clapton talisman of the next 20 or so years. However, this Clapton team were ageing and the glory days coming to an end.
MATCH REPORT – CLAPTON 3 ILFORD 3. – Stratford Express.
The sixteenth annual meeting of Clapton and Ilford for Isthmian League points at the “Spotted Dog” provided plenty of thrills in the second half when the Amateur Cup holder, after apparently being a well-beaten team, almost won on the post. Clapton were severely handicapped in the absence of Gibbins, Skingle and Munden and it is probable that had any of them been playing Ilford would have been denied the satisfaction of sharing the spoils. They were value for their goal lead at half time, even though it did accrue from a penalty kick for “hands” and, when directly after the resumption, Blake unpardonably robbed them of another goal by pushing the ball out almost under the bar, the Clapton officials themselves were not sorry that Darvill turned the resultant penalty kick to account. Massey opened up a new vista by reducing the lead but young Jock Rutherford scored; 3-1 down. Clapton re-doubled their efforts and nine minutes from time Barnard reduced the lead and followed this up two minutes later by lofting the ball over for McNeil to head a grand equalising goal.
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 Tue 10/09/13 Sat 14/09/13 Tue 17/09/13 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 LCC ESL ESL FA VASE ESL ESL ESL ESL FA VASE ESL
Bowers and Pitsea Tower Hamlets Stanway Rovers Stanway Rovers London Bari Mildenhall Town Haringey Borough Hullbridge Sports Great Wakering Rovers London APSA Takeley Wotton Blue Cross Basildon United Ilford Stansted Sawbridgeworth Town Barking Southend Manor
A 0-0 H 2-3 H 0-0 A 1-0 A 2-0 H 0-2 H 1-1 A 0-0 H 1-1 H P H 2-0 A 1-0 AWAY HOME AWAY HOME HOME AWAY
Jarriette, Alleyne Matthews Martelli, Hughes Coulson (p) Duyile (p) AET * Parker, Duyile Tacey 3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM 3.00PM
* Clapton lose on pens
THE OLIVER TRIGG EXPERIENCE Brian Jeeves Friends of Clapton FC member, Southend fan, Great Wakering stalwart and all round good egg Brian Jeeves has announced the forthcoming publication of his third book “The Oliver Trigg Experience”. Folks can pre-order by going to Brian’s Facebook page and adding your name and favourite football team. http://on.fb.me/1b9BPrg
CLAPTON ULTRAS ON TOUR
THE ULTRAS ON WAY AND AT THE WOOTTON VASE CLASH
The Campaign to Save the Old Spotted Dog Pub As every Clapton fan knows, the Old Spotted Dog pub on Upton Lane has been boarded up for years. The company that owned it went bust, the pub passed into the hands of receivers and they, as receivers do, looked for the most profitable return on their possession. In their view, this was to turn the site into housing. However, even their pre planning proposals were found unacceptable to the council. Newham, in addition, forced the receivers to have some urgent remedial work carried out on the aged structure. The council could, indeed, have gone further and used compulsory purchase powers to take the pub over but at a time of budget constraints Newham has so far been reluctant to go down that road. The Old Spotted Dog, meanwhile, deteriorates as the impasse goes on. The urgent remedial work was done some time ago but time continues to do its work. The fear is that, one day, the old pub will simply prove too derelict to save and its redevelopment- as yet another new housing plot- will become a fait accompli. In the light of this, a group of locals banded together to see if we could bring the pub back to life. Like many a grass-roots campaign, none of us at first knew quite what we were supposed to do. We were not from the property world, not even from the pub world (except as customers), but we did care, and we did see the value of putting our heads together. A public meeting was called, the public came and we were heartened to hear that others in our community wanted the “Dog” back again. So, we went to work. Now we have reached the position where an official campaigning body, the Old Spotted Dog Trust, has been formed. The Trust enables us actively and officially to seek funding. In September when a group of VIPs from the heritage world, including the government Minister for planning and senior members of the Prince’s Regeneration Trust and others paid a visit to the Old Spotted Dog site, our Trust was present. A letter from one VIP after the visit contains words which could stand as our manifesto. “It is very important that this rare historic building is saved and restored not only for its significance, being one of the few remaining medieval timber framed buildings of this type, but also to re-establish its place at the heart of the community.” Making friends in high places is a significant move but the funds still have to be raised before any dreams can be turned into reality. We are in the process of seeking funding from various bodies. In liaison with a respected architect we are working on plans for a pub that preserves its character and its historic features, at the same time drawing in a wide range of the local community through associated events and activities, and serving as a focal point for appreciating our local heritage. A second public meeting is being planned at which the Trust will put its case to the local community, as well as a fund-raising social – dates still to be confirmed; so why not come along and join in the debate? Follow our progress on: www.savetheoldspotteddog.org Chris Tymkow, Member, Old Spotted Dog Trust Steering Group, Member, Friends of Clapton FC
CLAPTON CARTOON This cartoon, by Harold Gittins, was published in the Evening News in 1954 following Clapton’s 3-1 defeat of Wimbledon in an Isthmian League match at the Old Spotted Dog.
iProg Contributions Welcome Have you got something to say about Clapton FC, the supporters, the League or anything relating to football itself. Why not air your view in the Clapton FC iProg? All contributions are welcome Send your contributions to iprog@claptonfc.info
THE LINE UPS CLAPTON FC
ILFORD FC
Red Shirts, White Shorts, Red Socks Manager ; Chris Wood Assistant : Neil Day
“THE TONS” PEPE DIAGNE REISS DE SOUZA PETER MOORE CRAIG GREENWOOD MATT TACEY JEROME JARRIETTE JAMIE POOLEY BEN LOWES STEVE PARKER RAPHAEL DUYILE CORY ALLEYNE JOSH COULSON NICK READ JOHNNY HUGHES SAM NAYLOR TOM JEFFES
Player Sponsored by Gavin Clarke
Andrew Barr
G.V.O.
Ian & Peter Simpson
Blue and White Hoops Manager : Matthew Haywood
JORDAN SOLE GAVIN HINDSCADETTE DAN CANDY JOSH RUSSELL MARC GRAVES JOE MASKELL SCOTT HILL JOE PATTISON EDAN NELSON ARON BEVENEY MIKEY MELIN TROY WITTER TOM COWAN MYLES CUNNINGHAM-SHEWELL
MATCH OFFICIALS : REFEREE – Jerome Francourt LINOS :- Martin Quinn, Stuart Brown
OUR NEXT HOME MATCH
THEN
SATURDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2013
SATURDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2013
CLAPTON v SAWBRIDGEWORTH TOWN
CLAPTON v BARKING
ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE KICK OFF 3.00PM AT THE DOG
FA VASE – FIRST ROUND PROPER KICK OFF 3.00PM AT THE DOG
“LET ‘EM COME, 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
10 Sebert Road, Forest Gate
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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, Janis Boyce