Clapton FC v Enfield 1893 FC by Spotted Dog

VIRTUAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

CLAPTON v

ENFIELD 1893 Saturday

22ND

Essex Senior league February 2014 Kick Off 3.00pm

CLAPTON FC – VIRTUALLY THE BEST TEAM IN LONDON

Clapton Football Club 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)

HONOURS LIST 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 (left), 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 London FA 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 Bartholomew’s 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 29th 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.

The brewers, Watneys took over the freehold of the ground and during the second world war the Dog became an antiaircraft 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, the conduct of the lease holders (now with Vince McBean at the helm) has placed this security in jeopardy and is one of a number of issues that need to be addressed to secure the club’s future once more. In January 2013, when asked by the Friends of Clapton FC, the club chairman said that ‘membership’ of Clapton FC has been “closed for restructuring’. This situation remains today. If you wish to return Clapton FC to being a democratic members club, join the Friends of Clapton FC. See inside for more details.

So, who are

Clapton Members Club ? Founded 5th August 2000 Founder members: Mr Kass Harris, Mrs Shirley Doyle, Mr Rasford Angus, Miss Beveley Lindo, Mr Vincent McBean, Mr Steven Sam. The present membership of nine (9) are V McBean, S Doyle,

K Harris, B Lindo, W Thomas, S Harte, J McBean-Willis, S Angus, E Syfox.

None of the three life members of Clapton FC nor the club chairman, Mr John Murray-Smith, are members of Clapton In 1892 a Southern League game was the first league Members Club. Mr McBean argues that CFC and CMC are match ever to be played at the Dog. Before this, only one and the same. friendly and cup matches had taken place. The club continued to make strides and by the 1920s, Clapton were one of the foremost clubs in amateur football and won the FA Amateur Cup in five occasions. Over the years, numerous Clapton players have won international and county honours.

On 27th November 2013, Mr David Fookes of London Football Association confirmed as follows: “There is no

membership of the London FA of Clapton Members Club. There is no reason why there should be, it is not a football club.”

CLAPTON v ENFIELD 1893 Well, despite their being a lack of action on the pitch, it has certainly been an eventful period for Clapton supporters off it. Unless you have just returned from Outer Mongolia, you will be aware of the sacking, by the club, of our Assistant Manager Neil Day. Whilst I say it was by the ‘club’, this is, of course, a unilateral decision taken by Mr McBean. However, he did not actually do the sacking himself. The deed was ’done’ initially by removing Neil’s profile on the ‘official’ web site and then, once this was raised, Neil discovering that Mr McBean had instructed team manager Chris Wood to dismiss him. Since then there has been unprecedented support for Neil and condemnation of ‘Clapton FC’ and Mr McBean. Even now, the club have not officially confirmed the sacking, offer a reason for it or to have the grace to acknowledge Neil’s efforts and hard work over the past couple of years. We now know that the reason for the sacking was said to be Neil’s close relationship with the fans and, in particular, the Friends of Clapton FC. Some reason. Clearly an act of fear and panic. They even ‘blocked’ Essex Senior League website master Pete Dudley for carrying the news of Neil’s sacking. The sacking may well prove to be the death throws of a totally discredited regime. Eventually, last Saturday, club’s official Twitter feed responded to the barrage of tweets that had supported Neil. This tweet (pictured) was meant to infer that the upturn in the club’s playing fortunes are as a result of the inclusion of self proclaimed Head Coach (and, he also would say, best player at the club) Marc Nurse. It’s author is either clearly deluded or it’s Marc himself. The reason for Marc’s inclusion only in the dressing room is merely as Mr McBean’s spy and his most notable contribution to the season thus far has been a full-on fight with one of the younger players in the dressing room after a game. Before Marc starts advocating on behalf of the club, he ought to ask his mentor a few questions. For example, we sent him the links to the Charity Commission report on Vince’s last Charitable venture as ‘Chief Executive’ etc but now the whole thread has been now been deleted by the club. If your reading this Marc, the link is http://bit.ly/18kvulm Have a ‘long think’ about that. So, back to this afternoon’s game. As well as welcoming the E’s to the Dog, we extend a special welcome to ex-Ton Brandon Martin. Enfield are very formidable opponents and are in the running for the league title. They recently earned a very creditable draw at Great Wakering Rovers and, were impressive against us at their ground earlier in the season when they ran out 4-0 winners. What better reason for trying to exact reason this afternoon? Hopefully the long lay off will mean that many of the injury niggles have cleared up and manager Chris Wood will have a full squad from which to pick his starting eleven. It is important that everyone gets behind the players and the team manager this afternoon. The events of last week merely designed to discourage interest and support whereas it has had the affect of intensifying the need for change at Clapton FC. We don’t need a self imposed ‘Oilgart’ to run our club aided by patsies and lackies. The sooner that there is an opportunity to reinstate a members run club, one member one vote, at Clapton FC the better chance our club has of not only surviving but actually thriving! Finally, a number of people have been asking when there is going to change at Clapton seeing as those in authority now have much of the information in their hands. The response is to remain patient, keep supporting the team, and things will take their course. KTF Enjoy the game and

OUR VISITORS ENFIELD 1893 FC The first mention of an Enfield Football Club appeared in the Meyers Gazette & Observer dated 6thDecember 1884. At a preliminary meeting, a resolution was passed stating “that gentlemen here present do form themselves into an Association Football Club to be called the Enfield Football Club”. The club’s playing debut was on December 13th 1884 when they beat St. Jude’s F.C. 3-1 on their home ground of Enfield Cricket Club. Their fixture list was composed entirely of friendly matches against other local teams. In 1893 they achieved one of their best results when they beat a team from Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at their Tucker’s Field ground. The club joined a league for the first time in 1895, but despite early success, they folded in 1898. Meanwhile in 1893, a group of youngsters in the district had banded together to create Enfield Spartans Football Club. They played only friendly matches in their debut season at their Bailey’s Field ground, off Baker Street. On joining an organised league the following season, the Tottenham & District Junior League, they moved to the larger Tucker’s Field, previous home of the earlier Enfield F.C., renting the field from a local dairy owner. There were no amenities on site and players had to change in the George Public House in the town centre and walk the mile or so to the ground in full kit. Occasionally players would take a bottle of beer with them so they could enjoy half-time refreshments. When a ground nearer to the town centre became available on the demise of the other Enfield F.C., the Spartans took up residence and within a couple of years dropped the word Spartans from their title. The club’s formative years were spent in a number of local leagues – the Tottenham & District Junior League (1894-5), the North Middlesex League (1896-1903), the London League (1903-1913) and the Middlesex & District League (1908-1912). Enfield managed to win four league titles during this time and won the Middlesex Charity Cup in 1910 and the Journal de Liege Cup on foreign soil in 1912. Their star player was Sid Crowl who played once for Tottenham Hotspur in the Football League and on fifteen occasions during the First World War. He was one of a number of players who was selected to play for their county and did participate in a trial for the England Amateur team. The club’s switch to the Athenian League in 1912 was an indication of their growing status, and the prestigious Middlesex Senior Cup was captured for the first time in 1914, but the First World War brought a temporary end to their contests on the football field. When the players returned from the forces, they were faced with the problems of having no club and their former ground having been cultivated to produce food for the locals. A local junior club, Grange Park F.C initiated moves to re-start the club. Before the war they had rejected an offer from Enfield to act as their reserve team, now they saw their chance to progress to a higher standard of football. The Tucker family came to the rescue by allowing the re-born club to use their former pitch and this time the officials and fans started to build a ground worthy of the club. A stand and dressing rooms were erected using volunteer labour and the club spent their first post-war seasons in the Middlesex League and the London League before gaining re-election to the Athenian League in 1921. The inter-war years were not particularly successful ones for Enfield. Second place in 1935 was their highest placing, a season which also witnessed Enfield’s greatest achievement so far in beating Metropolitan Police in the London Senior Cup final at Leyton plus a place in the last four of the Amateur Cup, while the last three seasons before World War 2 saw the team finish in the bottom two. There was cause for celebration as Jack Anderson became Enfield’s first international when he was selected to play against Ireland in November 1929 and three more players, Billy Heal, Reg Beswarwick and Les Hockaday would gain international honours during the 1930’s. In 1936, Enfield left Tucker’s Field, which would soon disappear under a housing estate, for the newly built stadium in Southbury Road. The first match against Golders Green in F.A.Cup was played on October 31st 1936 and Edgar Kirby had the honour of scoring the first goal at the ground. Sadly the new ground did not inspire the players on the pitch, but the facilities would stand the club in good stead for many years to come. After war was declared in 1939, Enfield continued to participate in local competitions for three seasons until they decided to cease playing. The ground was Enfield FC's Former Stadium at Southbury Road

used for fundraising charity matches and utilised as an ARP base and a temporary mortuary, together with the neighbouring swimming pool. When competition resumed in 1945, all teams faced disruption due to the problems of when their players would return from the forces and Enfield’s line-up was ever-changing, but one shining star emerged in the form of Jack Rawlings. He appeared for the England Amateur team eleven times, scoring nine goals, and was selected for the Great British Olympic squad for the 1948 London Olympics. Sadly his participation in the tournament was limited through injury to the 3 rd-4th place play-off against Denmark. Enfield benefited from his presence when he scored the only goal as they won the Middlesex Senior Cup final against Hendon in 1947, but two years later Jack decided to leave the club and join Hayes. More lean years were to follow, the club’s tenure at The Stadium threatened by the council’s insistence that there should be a greater number of local players in the team and in 1954 the board of directors decided to appoint their first professional manager/coach. Former Chelsea, Swindon Town and Southport player Alex White was appointed to the role and the club’s fortunes started to improve and the good work continued when former Tottenham Hotspur player George Ludford succeeded White in 1957. The major upturn in Enfield’s fortunes came in the summer of 1959. A number of new signings were made, foremost of which was centre-forward Tommy Lawrence from Hendon. Not only did he lead from the front with an avalanche of goals, but his presence was enough to persuade former colleagues from Hendon and Barnet to follow him to the club. The 1959-60 campaign saw the club progress to the second round of the F.A.Cup for the first time and the Amateur Cup semi final was reached for the first time in twenty five years. It was to herald a period of thirty years of near unbroken success. From 1960-1990, Enfield won eleven league titles (Athenian League twice, Isthmian League seven times and Conference twice) and were runners-up on a further five occasions. They reached fifteen Middlesex Cup Finals (winning ten), eight London Senior Cup Finals (five successes) and seven further county and league cup finals (winning four). However their most celebrated triumphs came in the national competitions. Enfield finally reached Wembley for the first time in 1964, but their quest for Amateur Cup glory was hampered by injury. Talisman Lawrence had suffered a career ending fractured skull in a trial match for the Great British Olympic team. Stalwart defender Peter Terry injured his back days before the final, but the match itself saw goalkeeper Malcolm Mitchell suffer a broken arm with Enfield leading Crook Town 1-0. In the pre substitute days, winger Roy Thomas was forced to don the keeper’s jersey while Mitchell returned to play outfield with a heavily strapped arm, but the disruption caused was too big a handicap to overcome as Crook triumphed 2-1. With Tommy Lawrence now in the manager’s seat, Enfield were back in 1967 to face Skelmersdale United. Their path to the final had been blighted by tragedy when Highgate United centre-half Tony Allden had been struck by lightning and killed during the quarter final tie, the match being replayed at an emotion filled Villa Park. In the final itself, two hours of tense football was climaxed by Ian Wolstenholme’s penalty save late into extra time before a crowd of 75,000. The replay a week later at Maine Road, Manchester was witnessed by 55,000 and Enfield made no mistake and won the Amateur Cup for the first time by 3-0. Their success was repeated three years later with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Dagenham, while their fourth final in eight years ended in disappointment, losing to Middlesex neighbours Hendon 2-0 in 1972. Victory in the 1970 Amateur Cup final saw Enfield qualify for the short-lived European Amateur Cup Winners Cup where they defeated Italian champions Ponte San Pietro 4-2 over two legs. The amateur era in non-league football ended in 1974 and the Amateur Cup was no longer competed for. The F.A.Trophy assumed the mantle of the pre eminent non league competition and Enfield had two further successes, beating Altrincham 1-0 at Wembley in 1982 and defeating Telford United 3-2 in a replay at The Hawthorns in 1988 after the first match finished goalless. Enfield captured national headlines with their giant killing exploits in the F.A.Cup. Between 1977 and 1999, they defeated Football League opposition on eleven occasions. Their most successful campaign came in the 1980-1 season where after defeating Hereford United and Port Vale, they were drawn away to Barnsley in the fourth round. A late Peter Burton goal salvaged a 1-1 draw in Yorkshire and due to the interest generated in the tie, the replay was switched to White Hart Lane, a three sided ground due to the rebuilding of the West Stand. The thirty five thousand fans who filled the stadium, with many more locked outside, witnessed the end of the fairytale as Barnsley’s superior finishing saw them to a 3-0 win, but over the two matches Enfield could point to two disallowed goals, a dubious free kick award that lead to Barnsley’s goal in the first match and 4 efforts hitting the woodwork.

The team’s success was reflected in personal reward for the players. Enfield provided twenty seven players for the England Amateur International team between 1960 and its abolition in 1974, far more than any other club and a further ten played for its successor, the England Semi- Professional team. Club captain Tony Jennings had the honour of leading the latter in each of their first twelve matches. A number of players progressed into the Football League, the most notable of which was Paul Furlong who played for nine different league teams in a career spanning nineteen years, accumulating 581 appearances and 185 goals. At the time of his transfer from Watford to Chelsea in May 1994, the transfer fee of £2.3 million was the largest Chelsea had ever paid. Everything in football is cyclical and Enfield’s years of glory were coming to a close. Two years after winning the F.A.Trophy, the club suffered it’s first ever relegation in 1990. Back in the Vauxhall (Isthmian) Football League, Enfield finished runners-up three times in the next four year, narrowly missing out on promotion back to the Conference. 1994-5 was an outstanding season. Enfield reached the third round of the F.A.Cup where they met top flight opposition for the first time. Handicapped by the absence of suspended top scorer Gary Abbott, they put up a brave fight before losing 2-0 at Leicester City. They also managed to win their league title, heading Slough Town by fourteen points, but they were denied promotion as their financial situation failed to satisfy the Conference’s criteria for admission. The club finished the next two seasons as runners up before a decline in fortunes set in and the biggest setback occurred in 1999 when their Southbury Road home was sold for development and with no replacement in sight, the club became nomads. A large number of fans were concerned at what was happening to their precious club and in 2001 took the unprecedented step of breaking away to form their own club, Enfield Town F.C. Meanwhile Enfield F.C. struggled on, homeless and with a greatly reduced following. Ground sharing arrangements were made with Borehamwood and Ware Football Clubs, but in 2007 they were forced to cease trading when they were unable to reach agreement over debt repayment with the Inland Revenue. A new club, Enfield (1893) F.C. was formed to take its place and they too started their new life in the Essex Senior League, playing at Ware’s ground. They retained all of the Enfield F.C. playing staff who had finished in 13th place in the Isthmian League First Division North the previous season under manager Kevin Lucas and led the table for much of the year but missed out on promotion on goal difference. They finished second again in the 2008–09 season. The club shared with Broxbourne Borough V&E from the start of the 2009–10 season, at Goffs Lane. This groundshare lasted for one year, with the club finally moving to Enfield in 2010, moving to the now defunct Brimsdown Rovers’ Goldsdown Road stadium, which they shared with Enfield Town for the 2010–11 season, Prior to Town moving out at the end of the season. In 2010–11, the first season after the move to Brimsdown, Enfield 1893 won the Essex Senior League Championship, but were not promoted to the Isthmian League Division One North for the 2011–12 season, due to ground grading requirements. This was a bitter blow for the club and resulted in the break up of Kevin Lucas' squad. After one more season, in which the club finished 7th, Lucas resigned to take over at Ilford FC in the Ryman League Division One North. The Enfield 1893 committee settled on experienced manager Gordon Boateng as Lucas' replacement, but despite a promising start the 2012/13 season petered out into a disappointing 9th placed finish and defeat in the Gordon Brasted Trophy Final. At the end of the campaign Boateng and the club parted company, with the club announcing a week later that promising young manager Luke Giddings and his assistant Paul Norris would move from Eton Manor to take charge of Enfield 1893 for the 2013/14 season.

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100 BRITISH FOOTBALL GROUNDS TO VISIT BEFORE YOU DIE Mike says “I need your feedback for the new book I am writing, 100 British Football Grounds To Visit Before You Die. Vote for your favourite five British football grounds by emailing 100groundsproject@gmail.com

THE OLIVER TRIGG EXPERIENCE BRIAN JEEVES’ LATEST BOOK OUT SOON NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE ORDER

http://on.fb.me/1b9BPrg

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

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE TABLE Up to and including 17th February 2014

Pts

Tower Hamlets

+16

Great Wakering Rovers Enfield 1893 Takeley FC Romania Basildon United Sawbridgeworth Town Clapton Haringey Borough

20 19 22 22 19 20 21 16

14 14 13 11 11 11 9 9

3 3 3 5 2 2 4 3

3 2 6 6 6 7 8 4

53 46 46 45 53 49 32 32

22 17 34 37 29 37 28 18

+31 +29 +12 +8 +24 +12 +4 +14

45 45 42 38 35 35 31 30

Ilford

-12

Hullbridge Sports Barking

16 17

7 7

3 2

6 8

21 32

21 28

+0 +4

24 23

Sporting Bengal United Bowers & Pitsea London APSA Southend Manor

20 19 21 20

7 5 5 6

2 6 6 3

11 8 10 11

42 34 28 27

57 37 37 38

-15 -3 -9 -11

23 21 21 21

Eton Manor Greenhouse London Stansted London Bari

19 21 19 19

6 3 3 0

2 5 4 2

11 13 12 17

30 18 26 8

52 45 42 47

-22 -27 -16 -39

20 14 13 2

NEW WEB SITE FOR ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Finally, in the absence of their being an official Essex Senior League website, Pete Dudley, the secretary of Southend Manor, has started an excellent and informative site, ironically, on the Pitchero platform. The site carries results and the latest news from around the League. The site http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/essexseniorleague Well done Pete !

CLAPTON iPROGS Everyone is welcome to access and download the Clapton iProgs which are produced for each home match at the Old Spotted Dog (even if the rain washes us out!) The iProg is produced by the Friends of Clapton FC who are grateful for the information and contributions made by many people within non league football and beyond. Access the full catalogue at http://bit.ly/1h6GgEU

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 semiprofessional 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 D og' 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 its 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 the real 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

A MESSAGE FROM NEIL DAY Firstly and most importantly I’d like to say a massive thank you for the overwhelming support I have received from the ‘Clapton’ and ‘Extended Clapton’ family. To receive messages of support from people I don’t even know has been truly humbling and it’s hard to convey how much that has been appreciated. I have kept quiet so far as remarkably almost everything seems to have been said for me by a cross section of interested parties. I have asked Andy Barr to release this statement to clear up the facts and any inaccuracies. I should have realised that something was going on when after months of very little contact between us, the ‘Chairman’ started to contact me by e-mail and text to see how I was getting on collecting the players fines which had not been paid and had been allowed to triple in some cases. As soon as I had given the ‘Chairman’ this money the course of action was taken. This was at the Greenhouse game and I have been informed my ‘replacement’ was already at the game and ‘in place’. The contact with the ‘Chairman’ with regard to the fines was in stark contrast to a harrowing 10 mon th period following an incident with a Clapton player in the dressing room which ended up in court. Despite seeing the injuries received first hand, the ‘Chairman’ has never even asked the outcome despite promising every support possible at the time. Again by contrast Andy Barr contacted me after hearing about the incident to offer his support and has always asked what the state of play was. This was my introduction to Mr Barr, as I have always told the ‘Chairman’ I am not a member of Friends of Clapton and would not even know how to join. I have always tried to distance myself from the views of Friends of Clapton, I have never criticised the Chairman and have been supportive of him when this was not a popular opinion. As far as I’m concerned The Chairman has always been supportive in football matters , in particular his decision to keep Chris and myself on after accumulating only 21 points on our first season back and I stand by that. Again for the record I have received no notification of any ‘sacking’ from the club. Chris discussed that he had been told to sack me but could not bring himself to do it. Myself and Chris have a strong relationship, I texted him to say I would walk away to maintain the continuity at the club and he should not feel bad about it or compromise himself. Chris has done a great job in difficult circumstances, in true Kevin Keegan style, ‘I would love it’ to see him, the team and the magnificent supporters build on what’s already been achieved and will remain proud to have played a part in that progress. Keep the faith- hopefully our paths will cross sooner than later. Regards and Respect Neil

HALF TIME READING The Not So Beautiful Game by Robert Lee

Today the media fawn over a handful of football clubs as though they are the only ones that matter. You all know who they are; Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are their current favourites. I suppose their reasoning is that these clubs have a fan base that all the rest can only dream about. Maybe so, but the media are missing a trick here. I don’t care how big these ‘big clubs’ fan base might be, the truth is there are far more people who don’t support any of them. It’s not just the media I have a problem with either. Take Manchester United. (Please) The majority of their fans are nothing more than glory hunters who have never been to a match in their life. I’ve lost count of the number of times I have had disagreements with these pseudo United ‘sheep.’ Usually, telling them which team I support is greeted by hoots of derision and questions of “What have you ever won?” This ultimately leads to the erroneous conclusion that my problem with them is down to jealousy. They just don’t get it. Being a true supporter is not about glory; winning trophies is not the be all and end all. A true supporter follows his team no matter what. A few defeats is generally par for the course and it doesn’t result in the local charity shop being inundated with replica shirts from those who have found another bandwagon to jump on. The point is that every football club matters to someone, no matter how lowly its position in the pecking order - just as yours matters. To you. This was what led me to write ‘The Not So Beautiful Game’ a celebration of football’s true heroes. Not the media darlings, the get-rich-quick, underachieving, over–coiffured, celebrity-seeking prima-donnas who throw their toys out of the pram should anyone have the audacity to take the ball off them; those who get paid more for ninety minutes of falling over in the penalty box than most of us will earn in a lifetime. No, the heroes of my novel are those who stand on the terraces, week in-week out, rain or shine, supporting their team, no matter how dismal the performance; anyone who has had the misfortune to witness their beloved team on the receiving end of a five-nil drubbing and yet is still able to demonstrate their sense of humour by chanting ‘We’re going to win six-five; anyone who, having suffered this indignity, turns up for the next game wearing their colours with pride. If you’re reading this, I suspect that you’re one of them. If so, ‘The Not So Beautiful Game’ is for you. Buy yourself a copy and follow the trials and tribulations of Muncaster United, the most unsuccessful club in the history of the game. Laugh at – and with - the small band of oddball fans who support the club through the bad times and the… even worse times. Add into the mix an unscrupulous owner, a clueless manager and the biggest ragbag of psychologically unhinged, mentally deranged lunatics ever to hit a football field (with the possible exception of Leeds United, circa 1973,) and you’ll be laughing all season long – even when your team loses five-nil. Again.

You can buy a copy of the book on the usual websites but it can also be ordered from The Newham Bookshop

CLAPTON FC FIXTURES Season 2013/2014 Date

Comp

Opponent

Thu 10/07/13 Sat 13/07/13 Sat 20/07/13 Mon 22/07/13 Sat 27/07/13 Tue 30/07/13 Sat 03/08/13 Sat 10/08/13 Tue 13/08/13 Sat 17/08/13 Wed 21/08/13 Tue 27/08/13 Sat 31/08/13 Tue 03/09/13 Sat 07/09/13 Tue 10/09/13 Tue 19/09/13 Sat 21/09/13 Sat 28/09/13 Tue 01/10/13 Sat 05/10/13 Tue 8/10/13 Sat 12/10/13 Tue 15/10/13 Sat 19/10/13 Sat 24/10/13 Sat 16/11/13 Sat 23 /11/13 Wed 27/11/13 Sat 30/11/13 Tue 03/12/13 Sat 07/12/13 Tue 10/12/13 Sat 14/12/13 Tue 04/02/14 Wed 19/04/14 Sat 22/02/14 Sat 01/03/14 Tue 04/03/14 Sat 08/03/14 Tue 11/03/14 Sat 15/03/14 Tue 18/03/14 Sat 22/03/14 Sat 29/03/14 Sat 05/04/14 Sat 12/04/14 Sat 26/04/13

FR FR FR FR FR FR FR ESL ESL FAC FAC ESL FAC ESL ESL LCC ESL FAV ESL ESL ESL GBT ESL ESL FAV ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL

Meridian AYM Higher Harwich & Parkeston Fisher FC Crockenhill Halstead Town White Ensign FC Bowers and Pitsea Tower Hamlets Stanway Rovers Stanway Rovers London Bari Mildenhall Town Haringey Borough Hullbridge Sports Great Wakering Rovers Takeley Wotton Blue Cross Basildon United Ilford Stansted Tower Hamlets Sawbridgeworth Town Eton Manor Barking Southend Manor Southend Manor Enfield 1893 Sporting Bengal United FC Romania London APSA Barking Great Wakering Rovers Takeley Greenhouse London Greenhouse London Enfield 1893 Ilford Great Wakering Rovers Tower Hamlets Basildon United Bowers & Pitsea Sawbridgeworth Town London APSA Sporting Bengal Utd Barking Haringey Borough FC Romania

H/A Res Score A A A A A A A A H H A A H H A H H A A H A A H H H A H A A A H H H A H A H A A A H H A A H A A H

L W D L W L L D L D W W L D D D W W L W W W L W L L W L L L W W W L D

0-1 5-2 0-0 1-4 2-1 1-6 2-3 0-0 2-3 0-0 1-0 2-0 0-2 1-1 0-0 1-1 2-0 1-0 0-2 4-0 2-1 3-0 0-3 2-1 0-1 1-2 2-0 0-4 2-3 2-4 5-0 1-0 1-0 1-2 2-2

Scorers Read 3, Rungay

Alleyne (p), Tacey Jarriette, Alleyne Matthews Martelli, Hughes Coulson (pen) Duyille (AET) GWR won on pens Duyille, Parker Tacey. (AET) Martelli 2, Jeffes, Jarriette Duyille, Martelli

Duyille, Lowes Jarriette Halloway, Duyille Lowes, Martelli Jones, Martelli Martelli 2, Briggs, Jones, Jeffes Jarriette Jarriette Martelli Jeffes, Briggs

Home games Kick off at 3.00pm on Saturdays - 7.45pm Midweek

ESL = Essex Senior League FR = Friendly

FAC - FA Cup

FAV = FAV Vase LCC = League Cup

THE LINE UPS CLAPTON FC

ENFIELD 1893

Red Shirts, White Shorts, Red Socks Manager ; Chris Wood

White Shirts, Blue Shorts Manager : Lee Giddings

“THE TONS” PEPE DIAGINE SAM NAYLOR PETER MOORE CRAIG GREENWOOD JAMIE LINDEN JAMES BRIGGS JASON MAYNARD BILLY RUNGAY ABS JARRIETTE TOM JEFFES RAFAEL DUYILLE BILLY WISE BEN LOWES BORJA CAMACHO MATT TACEY

Player Sponsored by Gavin Clarke

G.V.O. Andrew Barr

Mark Barlow

Ian & Peter Simpson

ALEX JENNINS JOE KAZZI JAMIE HAYWOOD JOE JOHNSON BILLY SENDALL CRAIG WOOD JACK HASPINALL JAK GIDDINS BILLY JONES JOHN BRICKNELL JOE BRICKNELL JACK DALLNDER ROBBIE EVANS DANIEL WALSH BRANDON MARTIN HARRY PRINCE

MATCH OFFICIALS : REFEREE – Kevin Nicholson ; LINOS – Jerome Francourt, Darrell Evans

NEXT UP AT THE OLD SPOTTED DOG TUESDAY 11TH MARCH 2014

SATURDAY 15TH MARCH 2014

CLAPTON v BASILDON UTD

CLAPTON v BOWERS & PITSEA

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Kick off 7.45 PM AT THE DOG

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Kick off 3.00 PM 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

LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY WEBSITES

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 READING OUR iMATCH PROGRAMME. WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT. See the whole series at www.claptonfc.info

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