VIRTUAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
CLAPTON v
STANWAY ROVERS FA Cup – Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 17th August 2013
Available only to Virtual Spectators on www.claptonfc.info This programme is available free, 24 hours before the match, to those who buy a virtual match ticket or who are Clapton FC Virtual Season Ticket Holders.
CLAPTON FC – VIRTUALLY THE BEST TEAM IN LONDON
CLAPTON v STANWAY ROVERS Once again, thank you for buying the iMatch programme for our first cup tie of the season. Our visitors are Stanway Rovers and we anticipate a good competitive match with, hopefully, the Tons coming out on top. We also welcome Chris Thomas back to the Old Spotted Dog. Chris, who will be lining up for our opponents this afternoon, was a popular striker at the club. He will excuse us for wishing him every success at R overs, after this tie is settled. This is Stanway’s tenth season in the FA Challenge Cup and on their last visit to the Dog, at the same stage in 2010, they ran out 4-0 winners. Let’s hope that we can turn that around this afternoon. Last Tuesday’s match against Tower Hamlets was a good start to the season despite the result. Firstly, we are maintaining decent attendance figures from last season. In 2011, before the formation of the Friends of Clapton, the attendance for the first home game was 26 and for the second, just 19. In effect, attendances are up by more than 200%. On the field, the new team showed that they can more than compete at this level and were very unlucky to have suffered defeat due to having two penalties awarded against them of two penalties, (one of which was, at best, dubious) and a goal resulting from a rolling ball at a free kick. All reports are that Clapton deserved much more from the game and Abbs Jarriette’s equaliser was described as a ‘screamer’ on twitter and to be worth the admission fee alone. So, we must not be discouraged and I have no doubt that the team management will be looking to take the many positives from that game into today’s encounter. We are joined today by Damon and his colleagues from The real FA Cup, a football blog which concentrates on the early rounds of this great competition. Enjoy the game chaps. The winners of this tie will pay either Sawbridgeworth Town or Mildenhall Town at home. Next Tuesday we play the third of four consecutive home games when Great Wakering Rovers visit the Dog for a League Challenge Cup tie. Kick off is 7.45pm and the iMatch programme for that game will be FREE to all those who wish to access it via the net at www.claptonfc.info. Next Saturday we entertain Takeley at the Dog (3pm). Takeley have made a good start to the season and, no doubt, will provide testing opposition. The Clapton Ultras have taken delivery of the new Clapton ‘Scaffold Brigada’ scarves. They are an absolute bargain at just £7 each (£5 concessions, unwaged etc). If you want to wear the latest Clapton apparel then see Robin Cowan in the Scaffold during the game or email the Ultras at claptonultras@gmail.com. With the season now in full swing and there have been some surprising results, not least the start made by Sporting Bengal United. In their two games they have scored seven goals without conceding any and sit proudly at the top of the pile. By contrast, London Bari have lost both their games and are yet to score. In the cup, the match that took my eye was the clash between Great Wakering Rovers and Halstead that takes places at Burroughs Park this afternoon. GWR have made an expected good start to the season but their visitors certainly impressed when beating Clapton during pre-season and have also won their two opening games. Once again, thank you for subscribing to this iProg. Next Tuesday’s is free and will, unashamedly, have a Clapton bias, with some interesting stuff on the club itself, the ground and an in-depth analysis of the Chief Executive’s statement that was released on the club’s official website in April. Get behind the lads this afternoon. I am sure that the Ultras will be making some noise and, our old stadium when rocking has a unique atmosphere. We cannot realistically expect to get to Wembley but were we to win this afternoon, it would be the first FA Cup match won by Clapton FC since 2005. So, be the 12th man and ….
COME ON YOU TONS ! GVO
CLAPTON FC VIRTUAL PROGRAMME The Clapton FC Virtual programme which will be available on-line to Virtual Match day Ticket holders for Clapton matches this season. A Virtual Ticket costs just £1.50 and, as well as a virtual programme it is guaranteed to give you a warm glow off self content when purchasing. Join the Friends of Clapton FC at http://www.friendsofclaptonfc.org
Ground :The Hawthorns
OUR VISITORS
STANWAY ROVERS
Nickname : Rovers Manager : Barry Lakin
Although there was a football club operating in the village of Stanway in the early 1900s, the present club was actually formed on 10th July 1956 The Club minute book shows that the first meeting was held at St.Albright’s Hall, Stanway, chaired by Jack Poole of the Essex County FA. In the early years the club played at Clairmont Road, approximately 100 yards from the current ground. The Club began life in the Colchester & East Essex League and by 1960 had progressed to the top flight and also formed a reserve team. The Club moved it’s headquarters to Stanway School in 1961 and the then Headmaster Mr.Gardham became Club President, an office that all subsequent head teachers held whilst the Club used the school’s facilities. In 1967/68 Rovers won the Colchester & East Essex League and in 1973/74 saw the Club have it’s most successful season thus far, winning the League title and both cup competitions, beating the League Representative team and reaching the quarter final of the County Cup. The following season the Club reached the final of the County Cup at Grays Athletic, losing 1-0 to Takely. In 1975/76 Rovers joined the Essex & Suffolk Border League, the feeder League to the Eastern Counties. This move prompted both the Club and the local Council to seek an alternative site and the move to the current premises at The Hawthorns took place in 1982. In 1991/92 after losing in the final of the Essex Intermediate Cup two seasons running, the Club’s application to join the Eastern Counties League was accepted after finishing in runners up spot in the Border League. The Club’s first match as a Senior Club took place on 22 nd August 1992 with Swaffham Town the opponents in a 2-2 draw. Despite an unsuccessful National Lottery Grant application, the Club completed the building of it’s impressive bar and function room, which was officially opened by Colchester MP Bob Russell in March 2001. Five years later Rovers gained promotion to the Premier Division by winning Division 1 under the stewardship of manager Jim McIntyre and have remained there ever since. After McIntyre came the successful joint partnership of Rob Bate and Paul Symes. The highlights of their reign were the superb 2-1 victory over Colchester United in the Essex Senior Cup at Layer Road and achieving the best ever showing in the FA Vase, reaching the 5 th round, and winning the League Cup 4-2 on penalties against Leiston. Bates and Symes left the Club to be replaced by former Rovers player Steve Downey who, in his first season guided the Club to it’s best ever League position finishing 5 th in the Ridgeon’s Premier Division. In January 2011 Rovers and Downey parted company and immediately appointed another “old boy” in the shape of former Wimbledon, Colchester and Wycombe Wanderers player Wayne Bond. In July 2011 Bond was under increasing work pressures and decided to relinquish his managerial position. Steve Pitt was installed in the Rovers hot seat, having spent the previous year at FC Clacton. At the end of Pitt’s first campaign Rovers had equalled their best ever League finish and won the Ridgeon’s League Cup, beating Norwich United 2-1 in the final at Diss. After a disappointing Christmas period in the 2012/13 season, Pitt was sacked and replaced by assistant manager Barry Lakin who led the team to a second successive League Cup Final, which finished in narrow defeat to Wisbech Town. As we enter the 2013/14 season ex Heybridge and Billericay coach Lakin is still at the helm, assisted by Adam Gillespie and the Rovers faithful have every reason to be optimistic.
PEN PICTURES BARRY LAKIN (Manager) Barry teamed up with Steve Pitt in October 2012 after he left AFC Sudbury. He brings a wealth of experience to The Hawthorns having been a pro with Orient and was previously coach at Heybridge Swifts. Stepped up to take control of first team affairs when Pitt left in January.
ADAM GILLESPIE (Assistant Manager) Adam joined Rovers as assistant to new manager Barry Lakin in January. In his playing days counts Heybridge Swifts and Wivenhoe Town amongst his former Clubs. MICHAEL PULFORD (Physio) Michael joined Rovers having worked previously as assistant manager at FC Clacton as well as spells at Felixstowe & Walton United and Heybridge Swifts. PAUL RUTHERFORD (Goalkeeper) Ruthers is in his third season at Rovers having joined from FC Clacton where he won a clean sweep of awards in 2010/11. An outstanding shot stopper who counts Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur amongst his previous Clubs. LUKE BANNER (Goalkeeper) Luke progressed through the Colne Football College and previously played for Witham Town and Heybridge Swifts. LEWIS BLANCHETT (Defender) Lewis signed for Rovers in February and has already impressed with his skill and determination, the naturally left sided player brings good balance to the Stanway squad MARTIN CALVER (Defender) Calves is one of those players that every team would love to have. He can play anywhere across the back line or in midfield. Reads the game well and is dangerous at set pieces. DANNY SLATTER (Defender) Slatts brings bags of experience to The Hawthorns. He started as a schoolboy with Colchester United and moved to Chelsea where he became reserve team captain. Normally a midfielder but can also operate effectively at full back. CHRIS RIBCHESTER (Defender) Ribbo is the lynchpin of the Rovers defence. Previously with FC Clacton and Heybridge Swifts, he is a commanding presence in the air in both penalty areas. BEN PARKIN (Defender) Ben joins Rovers from Wivenhoe Town where he cleaned up with the players player and managers player of the season awards last season. A strong centre half who will look to build a defensive partnership with Ribbo this season. RYAN INCE (Defender) The pacey right back joins Rovers having spent pre season with Braintree Town, following his exploits last season with Heybridge Swifts, one to watch at the Hawthorns this season. MICHAEL FITZGIBBON (Midfield) Michael is one of Rovers longest servants within the current squad and is club captain following the departure of Matt Cripps. Formerly of Harwich & Wivenhoe Town, Fitz can play almost anywhere apart from in goal! MICHAEL SHAIKLY (Midfield) Young Michael has a tremendous future in the game and is putting in exceptional performances across the Under 18’s and Reserves before breaking into Coach Lakin’s squad last season. STUART FERGUS (Midfield) Ferg has walked into the Rovers dressing room as if he has been in it for years, despite his young age he brings a wealth of non league experience to the club, a huge asset. GARETH STREET (Midfield) Gareth brings a wealth of experience to the Rovers midfield, the combative ex Heybridge man will provide steel and quality to the Hawthorns. LAURIS COGGIN (Midfield) Lauris links up with coach Lakin with the two working together at Heybridge, a fantastic acquisition to the Rovers midfield. JAKE BROWN (Midfield)
Young Jake brings youth and quality on the ball to the Rovers midfield, he will be one to watch over the coming season as he looks to break into the starting XI. ADAM BROTHERTON (Striker) Signed on the dotted line just 24 hours before the season started, Adam will bring pace and experience to the Rovers frontline. Joins from Heybridge Swifts. MARLON NORTH (Striker) Big Marlon needs no introduction to the Hawthorns faithful in what is now his second spell at the club. Having bounced back from a horrific leg break 3 years ago, Marlon will be looking to come back with a bang. ADAM HAMPSON (Striker) Hampy joins Rovers having finished top goal scorer in Thurlow Nunn Division 1 last season with Braintree Reserves, the speedy and energetic striker will hope to be Rovers fox in the box. MITCHEL YEO (Striker) Mitch previously spent time with Rovers last season before leaving to find first team football. After a successful pre season he will be looking for more opportunities this time around. CHRIS THOMAS (Striker) Giant frontman Chris joined from Clapton at the start of the March having scored 7 in 11 games in the Essex Senior League. The form er Heybridge Swifts player will challenge the best of defenders. Thanks to Michael Pulford from Stanway for the above information.
THE CLAPTON CLUB KIT There have been many remarks, positive and negative, about the new club kit which is a red shirt with thin, white ‘mariner’ style hoops, white shorts and red socks. Many traditionalists point out that Clapton colours have usually been red and white stripes. However, if you look back into the club’s history the Tons have, on occasions, departed from the traditional kit and hoops have been worn, most notably in the FA Amateur Cup Final where Clapton wore magenta and white hoops. This as because of a colour clash and both teams were required to change. There are also photos of Clapton teams in hooped jerseys. On the Ardath cigarette card (left) from the 1930s, the Tons are pictured in hooped shirts as they were on a tour to the Channel Islands in the fifties. In recent years there have been a number of varieties of the red and white including a particularly horrible red and black effort that had nothing to do with the tradition of the club. The only recent flirtation with hoops was when the Tons wore green and white hoops as a change strip in 1988. We are currently looking for sponsors for an away strip and if you, or a group of you, can help, please contact us. You can have hoops, stripes checks or whatever. Your choice. Incidentally the current kit carries the logo of the ‘Clapton Ultras’ and replica shirts can be purchased for £20. Speak to Gavin at today’s game or email him at grclarke@gmail.com
CLAPTON FC A history
Ground : The Old Spotted Dog ground Nickname “The Tons” or “The Doggies” Manager Chris Wood
In August 1977, a bare 14 years after the formation of the Football Association – W.R Davies invited his friends to his father’s house at 11 Queensdown Road, Clapton, London E5. From that meeting Downs FC was born. A year later, the club was renamed Clapton FC with Davies as the first honorary secretary and treasurer. For three years the club played on Hackney Downs with the Downs Hotel as its headquarters. Then a move was made to Lea Bridge Road where Clapton FC spent most of its early infancy. In 1887/88, Clapton won their first trophy, the London Junior Cup by beating Edmonton 5-0. In 1888, Clapton replaced St Bartholomew’s Hospital as tenants on the enclosure in Upton Lane, now known as the Old Spotted Dog Ground. The yearly rental of £35, paid to Landlady Mrs Vause, was a considerable sum in those days. Four thousands spectators saw the first game on the new ground when Clapton defeated Old Carthusians, a strong and famous amateur team of the day. By the end of the season, Clapton had also won the London Senior Cup by defeating Casuals at Kennington Oval by 4 goals to 2. Middlesex Senior Cup was lifted in the same season and a notable result was Clapton Reserves’ 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Northumberland Park. By now, the Tons were able to hold their own with the best teams in the south of England. In 1890 the crossed the channel and were he first English club to play a match on the continent when they beat a Belgian XI in Antwerp by 7 goals to nil. At home, Clapton were instrumental in the formation of the Southern League (now Evo Stick League) in 1892 and the following season were one of the original entrants for the first season of the FA Amateur Cup. In 1896, Clapton became founder members of the London League, a competition that included Thames Ironworks (now West Ham United) and achieved the distinction in reaching the final of the London Charity Cup for six successive years. It was after the 1904 final that from a discussion that took place between officials of Clapton and Casuals and Mr Henry J Huband that the seeds were sown for the establishment of the Isthmian League. Clapton were runners up in the inaugural season of the league and remained members until 2006 The first 25 years of Clapton’s history were the years of growth and leadership; the 25 years were of spectacular success. From 1903-1928, (20 competitive seasons due to WW1) Clapton appeared in 6 Amateur Cup Finals, winning on five occasions. The won the Isthmian league twice, and were runners up four times and, during this period, they won, on at least one occasion, every other amateur competition for which they entered. Such a record of accomplishment is second to none. Before, and after, the club’s golden period in the 1920s a host of International players have worn the red and white stripes of Clapton FC. In fact the club can boast to have had more full International players than amateurs and, former Clapton stalwart Stanley Earle, was the last amateur to play for the full England team when with West Ham United. Other than a seventh position held in 1936, Clapton started to regularly end up in the bottom half of the Isthmian League. The Second World War interrupted the Isthmian campaigns and, as a result, Clapton played in the South Essex Combination. After Easter 1940, the Old Spotted Dog was used as a munitions store and Clapton moved into Ilford’s Newbury Park ground to play their matches. By co-incidence, Ilford had used the Old Spotted Dog for similar reasons during the first War. Clapton never recovered the standards of the twenties when the Isthmian League re-started after the war. In 1952-53, for the first time in 50 years, they finished bottom of the League. However, the club were still pioneering. On 7th December 1953 the first competitive all- amateur match under floodlights took place at Upton Park when Clapton played Barking in an Essex Thameside Trophy replay. The ground was made available to Clapton by the Hammers to mark the 75th anniversary of the Tons. The honours won during the 1960s were mainly confined to three AFA Invitation Cup wins and following the expansion of the Isthmian League and the emergence of semi – professionalism, the Tons invariably struggled and duly slipped into the lower divisions.In the 1980 and 90s despite a lack of success on the field, the Clapton stand on their amateur policy has seen other clubs who, having flirted with professionalism, have revert back to the old code rather than go the way of so many famous football clubs of the past. Sadly, after over 100 years of unbroken membership of the Isthmian League, the club dropped into the Essex Senior League in 2006. However, the outstanding achievement of recent years was the establishment of the Clapton Trust which successfully secured a 99 year lease on the ground in 1992. The original members of the Trust, consisted of Clapton members and former Newham Mayor Alderman Arthur Edwards. In securing the ground, against all odds, Clapton has survived whilst other great east London clubs such as Walthamstow Avenue, Leytonstone, and Leyton are no more. The club, which is now looking forward to it’s 136th year, now has every chance of continuing to flourish and it is incumbent upon the present officers of the club to establish an open and democratic membership which will encourage more community involvement by which Forest Gate can, once again, identify with their football club who, despite their name, have been resident in Newham, even before West Ham United (Thames Ironworks) were formed.
CLAPTON MATCHES FROM THE PAST
In recent years, the FA Cup has not been a happy hunting ground for the Tons. However Clapton do have an FA Cup pedigree and their most successful season was in 1925/26 when they reached the third round, losing to Swindon Town before 27,000 people at Upton Park. We could include the Swindon match here but it was thought that we would concentrate on a winning result and below is an account of the first round match in which Clapton faced the canaries of Norwich City at the Old Spotted Dog and won in some style.
28th November 1925 FA CUP FIRST ROUND PROPER
CLAPTON 3 NORWICH CITY 1 SCORERS Clapton - Massey (2), McNeil (pen) ; Norwich City - Jackson FA Cup 1st Round. Played at The Old Spotted Dog. The kick off was delayed while both teams stood in silence in memory of Queen Alexandra who had died that week.
The pitch was partially frozen with some snow on it and City, who were expected to play clever football, found Clapton quicker off the mark and, playing against an icy wind, the Tons more than held their own. After the change Clapton used the conditions to their advantage and scored three times in within 17 minutes. Just three minutes after the re-start, Massey, receiving a pass from Munden, sent the ball spinning over the City goalkeeper and into the net. Then an excellent centre from Barnard gave Massey the opportunity to hook home his second goal. Norwich's misery was completed when Clapton were awarded a penalty for hands and McNeil beat Dennington from the penalty spot. Incredibly Clapton were a man short when they scored all three goals. Great stalwart Jim Crussell was off the field receiving treatment for an injury. A quarter of an hour from the end Jackson scored from a free kick for the Canaries but they never looked like reducing the deficit further. Nearly 4,000 people were delighted with the result. Clapton - A.Moore, E.Penstone, F.Blake, C.Williams, R.McNeil, C.Cable, R.Morgan, J.Massey, S.Munden, J.Crussell, W.Barnard. Norwich City - Dennington, Hannah, Wingham, Bradbrook, Murphy, Earl, McKinney, Rogers, Jackson, Banks, Stoakes.
The Real FA Cup This afternoon, Clapton are privileged to welcome Damon from The Real FA Cup. It is their first visit to the Old Spotted Dog and, having obviously seen our recent record in the competition, they obviously though that they would get in when they can! Their website is well worth a follow and you can also find them on Facebook and Twitter. I asked Damon to jot down a few lines for the Virtual programme and here it is. Hello, I am Damon and I co-run The Real FA Cup website. A lofty, aspirational name (The Real FA Cup, not Damon), you might think, but it is slightly tongue-in-cheek. We follow the early rounds of the FA Cup, largely because we went to watch our local side, Dulwich Hamlet, and realised in the early rounds there wasn't a lot of coverage, or even a record of some games. So, we thought we'd have a stab at rectifying that in some small way. That was five years ago and I'm not sure we thought it would still be going now but here we are 300 blog posts later about to pay a belated first visit to the Old Spotted Dog. It's becoming slightly hackneyed to say it but we (Damon - Ipswich Town & Simon - Arsenal) genuinely did start watching our local side out of a sense of boredom and disillusionment with professional football. It wasn't the complete and total meltdown type of disillusionment but going to watch lower level football was appealing, refreshing, enjoyable and free of the predictable nonsense that had started to grate. And hearing the players interact while you stand by the dugout drinking is how football should be. I certainly didn't intend becoming a Dulwich Hamlet fan when we set out, replacing a healthy set of blue-tinted irritations, neuroses and disappointments with a similar set in pink and blue wasn't the intention. Part of the appeal of following a competition, rather than a team, is the neutrality to enjoy the occasions without the baggage of fandom. And, getting out there amongst it in new and different places, seeing how other fans roll, how different clubs treat their fans was something we wanted to experience objectively. The first season we decided to do a 'Road To Wembley' scenario and follow the winner of each game we went to. This started well, we followed Hamlet for a couple of rounds including trips away to Broxbourne and Oxhey Jets - no, we had no idea where Oxhey was either (Watford, as it happens). Then Hamlet drew Hendon and we had our first trip to Wembley (Hendon ground-share at Wembley FC, in case you didn't know, which you probably did). Hamlet eventually lost to Hendon who then lost at home to AFC Telford, whose fans turned up with what remains the tallest flag we've seen. The Bucks were drawn away in a local derby with Northwich Victoria but, unfortunately, we both, independently, somewhat overdid the traditional Friday post-work beers and missed our Saturday train North. Eschewing a drive to Cheshire our 'Road to Wembley' was over so we headed for Crawley v Havant & Waterlooville. Crawley lost, our first (and one of the last) 'giant-killings' we've seen. On 606 on the way home we discovered Northwich v Telford had been abandoned at half time, we issued ourselves a get-out-of-jail-free card. We visited AFC Wimbledon and Southend (against Telford) after that and then called it a day, although not before I had briefly returned to glory hunt by watching Ipswich lose; 3-1 at Chelsea in the 3rd Round. No glory. Ever since that first season we've just been to whatever place or game has taken our fancy, whether it be FA Cup or not, in search of Cup romance: Flares at Woking, sparklers with the Harlow fans, cups of tea in proper mugs at Merstham, chased by wasps at Arundel, massive ice cream at Farnborough, bar-billiards in Carshalton, Motty's commentary notes in Sutton United's boardroom, giving the Non League Show live updates on a penalty shoot-out, interviewing Whitehawk's Matt Lawrence about music, getting mistaken for actors by some Dartford youths, bits of stand falling on us at Cambridge United, doing Brentford's four pubs, writing Qualifying Round reviews for ITV, touching the FA Cup (twice), talking to Ray Stubbs (no idea why this is a highlight) and, of course, celebrated winning the title with Dulwich Hamlet last season. Oh - and we won an award, at which ceremony I got so drunk I couldn't speak - there is, sadly, video evidence of this. However, one of the best things about the last 5 years are the people we've met, several of whom have become friends (three of those stood by laughing during the aforementioned drunken episode) and many of them have their own blogs and websites. Others we bump into at random games every now and again and some still contribute pieces to the site. These days, the FA Cup is only half the site really. There are so many blogs around now that pretty much every game is documented. I can't say we had anything to do with that explosion but it does mean one of our reasons for existing is gone. As such, we just go to places for the fun now. Once the qualifying rounds are done we move on to the FA Vase, the Ryman League and whatever else takes our fancy. One fancy was Hertha v FC Union, the Berlin derby in the second tier of German football in front of 80,000 fans! About 79,800 more fans than we're used to and it was overwhelming. In five years we've been to most of the grounds we'd set out to visit but a few remain and we shall be visiting one on 17th August to watch Clapton v Stanway Rovers. We hope to bring a few friends along and acquire some more when we get there. Damon, www.therealfacup.co.uk
PLAYER PROFILE - BILLY RUNGAY Billy Rungay is a new arrival at the Old Spotted Dog but has quickly established himself as a talented player with a good work rate. Name : Billy George Rungay Where do you live : Essex Married /Single etc? : I have a girlfriend Occupation : I work in a bakery Position : Right Wing, left wing or striker Previous Club(s) : AFC Hornchurch, Brentwood Town, Romford Fc, Thurrock Fc Why did you come to Clapton? - I moved to Clapton as I spent all last season injured and I needed to find a club that I could start my semi pro career with again. My aim is to make it as a footballer , and at the age of 19 I still have a lot to learn . Clapton are a team of a good standard in which I can test myself and progress as a footballer . Also having watched them before as a youngster I know the atmosphere at the dog can be electric! What are your impressions of the team for this season? - Having played at a higher level before , if I'm honest , we are not far away! We have the ability in the side and a great squad of players who are all willing to listen to instruction . We can do very well this season. How do you or the players respond to the wave or renewed interest in the club and the support from the Scaffold? Scoring against fisher and then in my next game against Crockenhill was fantastic for my confidence. I haven't had that goal scoring feeling for a While due to my injury ravaged season last year, and I am a goal scorer, I need goals to build my confidence so that was great. I know the ESL is a physical league with some very strong sides. But I am right up for the challenge. I don't have to worry about these defences, they should be worried about me. Is there anything you would like to see at Clapton? Which pro team do you support? - West Ham United Your favourite player ? - Cristiano Ronaldo Your favourite ground ? – Upton Park Your Favourite meal? - Steak Diane Favourite music/bands? - I love house music, Bingo Players are my favourite Djs Favourite holiday destination? - Egypt/ Magaluf Favourite film? – Lucky Number Slevin Favourite TV programme? - Friends 21. Who do you follow on Twitter, and why? I follow most people I know as well as funny celebrities and footballers that I idolise, simply to be nosey.
NEXT HOME MATCHES Tuesday 20th August 2013.
Kick Off 7.45pm
CLAPTON v GT WAKERING ROV
Saturday 24th August 2013.
Kick Off 3.00pm
CLAPTON v TAKELEY Essex Senior League
Essex Senior League Challenge Cup
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 ESL Tue 13/08/13 ESL Sat 17/08/13 FA CUP Tue 20/08/13 LCC Sat 24/08/13 ESL 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
Bowers and Pitsea Tower Hamlets Stanway Rovers Great Wakering Rovers Takeley
A H
0-0 2-3 HOME HOME HOME
Jarriette, Alleyne
3.00PM 7.45PM 3.00PM
London Bari
AT THE OLD SPOTTED DOG
7.45PM
FA Cup Prelim Rd (provisional)
HOME
COME ON YOU TONS !!!
If we beat Stanway Rovers we will play Mildenhall or Sawbridgeworth at home Haringey Borough HOME 7.45PM ESL Hullbridge Sports AWAY ESL 3.00PM London APSA HOME 3.00PM ESL Wotton Blue Cross AWAY FA VASE 3.00PM Basildon United AWAY ESL 3.00PM Ilford HOME ESL 7.45PM Stansted AWAY ESL 3.00PM Sawbridgeworth Town HOME ESL 3.00PM Eton Manor HOME ESL 3.00PM Southend Manor AWAY ESL 3.00PM
UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE GAME? Buy a Virtual Match Ticket from just £1.50 Includes a Virtual Matchday i-programme WWW.CLAPTONFC.INFO
Support Your Local Team ! The next i-Match Programme for the visit of Tower Hamlets FC will feature articles on our visitors, the Clapton Ultras, former player Vivian Gibbins, the save the Spotted Dog campaign and an exclusive interview with a Clapton player. Buy a virtual match ticket and make sure you get your copy! www.claptonfc.info/virtickets/towerh.htm
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 !
PLAYER SPONSORS 2013/14 PLAYER
SPONSOR
CRAIG GREENWOOD (Club Capt.)
ANDREW BARR
PEPE DIAGNE
PLAYER
SPONSOR
BEN LOWES (Team Capt.)
JOHNNY BRIGGS GAVIN CLARKE
NICK READ
CORY ALLEYNE IAN & PETER SIMPSON
JAMIE POOLEY
G.V.O
SAM NAYLOR
NEIL MATTHEWS
JOHNNY HUGHES
STEFAN NEILSEN
ROB ARUNDEL
FEMI COKER
JERRY JANNETTE
ZAC ATTAN
BILLY RUNGAY
MATT TACEY
LEWIS ROWLAND
OKIE SAYLER
PETER MOORE
MITCH LEWES
ROY JONES WES DE OLIVERA
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 Red Shirts, White Shorts, Red Socks Manager ; Chris Wood Assistant : Neil Day
PEPE DIAGINE 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 LADI OSUNLADE
STANWAY ROVERS FC Yellow, Black Shorts, Black Socks Manager : Barry Lakin
LUKE BANNER MARTIN CALVER LEWIS BLANCHETT MICHAEL FITZGIBBON BEN PARKIN CHRIS RIBCHESTER STUART FERGUS LAURIS COGGIN MARLON NORTH CHRIS THOMAS ADAM HAMPSON MICHAEL SHAIKLY RYAN INCE ADAM BROTHERTON JAKE BROWN MITCHELL YEO CRIAG SPRINGETT GARETH STREET
MATCH OFFICIALS :
OUR NEXT HOME MATCH TUESDAY 20
TH
This afternoon we are delighted to welcome the team from the Real FA Cup, a blog/web site that focusses on the early rounds of the most prestigious cup competition in the country.
AUGUST
v GREAT WAKERING ROVERS ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP Kick off 7.45pm
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
CHECK THEM OUT AT http://therealfacup.co.uk/
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY WEBSITES Contact Us and we’ll include your site in our next virtual issue.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FO_Clapton FC @Clapton Ultras 10 Sebert Road, Forest Gate
E7 Now and Then 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 Local community website covering news of events and what’s on in Forest Gate www.woodgrange.org.uk
THANK YOU FOR BUYING OUR iMATCH PROGRAMME. WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.
CLAPTON FC – VIRTUALLY THE BEST TEAM IN LONDON VIRTUAL MATCHDAY TICKET HOLDERS – Matt 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