Clapton FC v Barking FC

VIRTUAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

CLAPTON v

BARKING Essex Senior League Saturday 7th December 2013 Kick Off 1.30pm

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 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 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 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.

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, with Vince McBean ay the help, recent events and mismanagement have placed this security in jeopardy and these issues will need to be addressed to secure the club’s future once more.

JOIN THE FRIENDS OF CLAPTON FC 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 mal administration by the self proclaimed 'club owner’. (Not filing accounts) Further use of various Limited Companies to siphon monies away from the club and the lease holding charity does not suggest that the club is safe with the present Chief Executive at the helm.

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 ‘club’s agenda’.

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

CLAPTON v BARKING Essex Senior League Saturday 7th December 2013 Barking Football Club are our visitors this afternoon and, as ever, it’s great to welcome them to the Old Spotted Dog. Along with Ilford and Clapton, Barking are the third members of the ‘Unofficial East London Triad of traditional football clubs’ who play in the Essex Senior League. This afternoon also gives us the opportunity of exacting some revenge on our visitors, following their victory here in the FA Vase earlier in the season.

Our recent away defeats have been disappointing for everyone at the Clapton but, in assessing the losses, we must be mindful that both Enfield and FC Romania will be among the front runners this season. The defeat at Sporting Bengal was ‘one of those nights’ and, taking nothing away from the spirited comeback by our hosts, Clapton should have put the game to bed by half time. On the positive side, which is I where I prefer to be, last Tuesday’s victory over neighbours London Apsa was extremely welcome. It is great to see that we are hitting the back of the net regularlyand it was equally rewarding to see that the ‘back door was shut’, Pepe and his defence managing a clean sheet. So another three points, a clean sheet and a few goals, will be very welcome again this afternoon.

Elsewhere this afternoon, three of our Essex Senior League colleagues take part in the latest round of the FA Vase. Haringey Borough entertain Brantham Athletic whist Great Wakering Rovers and Hullbridge Sports go head to head at Burroughs Park. We wish them all the best of luck.

Once again we are kicking off early although the floodlights have now been maintained. Unfortunately, the recent kick off time disruption has left some of our colleagues in the ESL wondering why Essex Olympian League sides are denied Senior Football when we are clearly not toeing the line. Hopefully, this is the last such enforced early kick off and the embarrassment can cease.

The team received a recent fillip with news of the loan signing of Lewis Jones. Lewis had been playing for Wingate and Finchley until a serious injury sidelined him for nine months. He is with us, not only to sharpen his match fitness so that he can be in a position to return to our North London friends, but, in the meanwhile to aid the Clapton cause. We extend a warm welcome to him and are pleased to note that he opened his account with a goal against FC Romania last week and notched again in midweek against London Apsa.

Today is scheduled to be his last match with us but, if he decides to return to Wingate, he leaves with our thanks and in the knowledge that he will always be welcome at the Old Spotted Dog. Lewis’ signing is an indication of how football people are starting to percieve our club once more. Full credit to the team management for clinching the deal but were it not for enthusiasm of the fans and the atmosphere generated, we wouldn’t have had a sniff at such a signing. Lewis certainly didn’t come here for the pitch, the dressing rooms or the fried chicken.

A few more fixture changes include our Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy tie with Eton Manor which will take place at Waltham Abbey FC on Tuesday 7th January 2014 (7.45pm). The Essex Senior League have yet to publish fixtures beyond Christmas so please keep checking our web site for the lastest news So, onto this afternoon. A 3.00pm kick off, decent opposition and hopefully an entertaining game of football.

On Tuesday, we expect to entertain league leaders Great Wakering Rovers here at the Dog. However, it is dependent on the Rovers not having to replay a Vase tie so make sure you check on our website. Enjoy the game !

OUR VISITORS

barking fc The ancient abbey town and fishing port of Barking has been represented by a football team since at least 1880 and we are the longest established football club and possibly sports club in the borough. We have played in the FA Cup since 1895/6. Barking's colours of Royal Blue are said to originate from the Short Blue fishing fleet which plied the oceans from Barking Creek for many years.

In 1880 the Barking Rovers club was formed, playing on Eastbury Field, and is known to have existed until at least 1890. The Vicarage Field ground was opened in 1884 with a match against IIford which Rovers won 2-0 but in 1889 Barking Rovers were accused of damaging the Vicarage Field cricket pitch and were forced to return to Eastbury Field. In 1892/3 a South Essex League existed for one season and included Barking Excelsior and Barking Working Men’s Institute. Excelsior, playing at Holland’s Field, were champions and by 1895/6 were known as Barking Town, then playing at Eastbury Field. They won the Essex Junior Cup, defeating Saffron Walden 3-0 but disbanded in 1896 when it has been suggested that they were integrated into Barking Woodville.

Woodville from Forest Gate became known as Barking Woodville and moved to the Vicarage Field in 1896. This club was in existence by 1882 as Woodville (Upton), in which year a Woodville club formed in Barnet had to distinguish itself as Barnet Woodville, and was affiliated to the London Football Association in 1886. The club played in the Essex Senior Cup from at least 1886 and the FA Amateur Cup from at least 1894 but appears to have disbanded in 1900 when the Vicarage Field lease expired. An unconfirmed suggestion was published in the Grays and Tilbury Gazette at the time that Barking Woodville became West Ham United’s reserve team. Although there was no connection London Caledonians also occupied the Vicarage Field for a period.

The Vicarage Field was then occupied by Barking Institute, formed in at least 1896 as Barking Working Lads’ Institute, originally playing at the Recreation Ground (Barking Park), or earlier as Barking Working Men’s Institute. They won the London Minor Medals in 1896/7 and the London Institutes Federation Cup in 1897/8. The link between Rovers, Woodville and the present club is unclear. One authority states that the Rovers club was the precursor to the present club, the local Church Institute being involved in running it with the name being changed to Barking Institute. What is certain is that each club was regarded as representing the town and played on the Vicarage Field, which was the prime sporting venue in the town for many years. There was also a Barking FC affiliated to the Essex FA in 1886 and playing in 1895/6 and Barking Victoria in the early twentieth century but no links with these clubs have been found. In fact we played against them. Interestingly two of our predecessors, Barking Rovers and Woodville, played each other in 1888/9.

Barking Institute's name changed to Barking in 1902 and in 1908 Barking Ferndale became Barking Reserves. The name was changed again to Barking Town from 1919 to 1932, reverting to Barking until changing to Barking and East Ham United in 2001/2 for five seasons. The club developed the Vicarage Field to Football League standard. Barking had early experience of floodlit football, playing in the Borough Charter celebrations in Barking Park in 1939. Floodlights were installed at the Vicarage Field in 1958 and Barking was the first club to play an Isthmian League match under its own lights. In 1973 Barking were required to leave the Vicarage Field by the council and were leased the present ground in Mayesbrook Park.

As far as is known our first women’s team was Barking Belles in the 1970s. Our current Ladies team was founded in 1989 as Hornchurch Ladies. After a while as Collier Row Ladies they became Barking Ladies in 1998. Following amalgamation with Leyton Orient we played in the FA Women’s Premier League Division 1 South for five seasons. We have won the Essex FA Women’s Cup three times and the Herfulsham Tournament in Denmark. We are currently in the Eastern Region Women’s League Premier Division.

There is no evidence of Rovers having played league football but we could have been founder members of the Southern League as, when Arsenal FC convened a meeting in 1892 to form a league in the south, the clubs attending included Woodville, who were however not elected to the new league when it started in 1894/5. In 1896 Barking Woodville was included in a proposed new London Amateur League which failed to materialise but Barking Woodville played in the London League from 1896/7 followed by the South Essex League from 1898/9, winning the latter in 189899. Barking Working Lads’ Institute/Barking started in the Leyton and District League, winning it in 1899/1900 and possibly in 1898/9 although no final table has been found. The club progressed to the South Essex League from 1900/1 and the London League from 1909/10, playing in both for several seasons (leagues were smaller then). In 1912 their application to join the Isthmian League was rejected but they had been founder members of the Athenian League in 1911, resigning after only 2 matches, having been fined for not fielding the strongest possible team, and not rejoining

until 1923. During the second World War matches in the South Essex Combination were played at the Merry Fiddlers Ground, Dagenham as the Vicarage Field was converted to an anti aircraft site and all matches in 1945/6 had to be played away.

Barking were invited to join the Isthmian League in 1952 and won the championship in 1978/9, managed by Eddie McCluskey. In 1991, after 39 years at Premier Division level, the club suffered the first relegation in its history which was followed by the drop into Division 2 in 1996. Promotion back to Division 1 was won in 2000/1 under the management of Craig Edwards, Paul Downes and Alan Marson. Following restructuring Barking played in the Southern League Division 1 East in 2004/5 and 2005/6, reaching the play offs in both seasons. In 2006/7, following the tragic death of chairman Peter Webster and the subsequent liquidation of the parent company, the club was transferred to the Essex Senior League.

Our experienced management team is led by manager Mick O’Shea, who has a long and wide experience of management and coaching, with coaches Rob O’Brien (who is also our chairman) and Jeff Sears - who managed our Reserves to the Essex Senior League Reserve Division championship in 2011/12 with an unbeaten league record - and continues to fill this role. They are ably supported by sports therapist Alan Richards, We have a number teams altogether including Ladies, a men’s Sunday team and a thriving academy for youths and boys.

Barking have been champions of every league they have played in except the Southern League and the Essex Senior League (yet), culminating in the Isthmian League championship in 1978/79 and in that year the club was awarded the title of FA Non League Team of the Year. In addition to league championships the club has been very successful in cup competitions and over 100 titles have been won at all levels. The greatest success in national cups came in 1926/27 when the final of the FA Amateur Cup was reached and lost 3-1 to Leyton at Millwall, the ground staff having dug holes to clear the waterlogged pitch. A total of ten appearances in the last eight of the Amateur Cup was completed by three semi finals and six quarter finals. The second round of the FA Cup has been reached four times including the defeat of Football League opponents Oxford United in 1980. In the FA Vase in 1996/7 Barking reached the fifth round (last 16) and were narrowly defeated by a single goal at Mossley. The Essex Senior Cup final has been reached 14 times, of which seven were won, and the London Senior Cup has been won four times in seven finals. Other cups won include the Essex Thameside, Essex Elizabethan, East Anglian, London Charity, Mithras, Eastern Floodlit, Premier Midweek, Essex Intermediate, London Intermediate, Essex Junior, London Junior, London Under 18, Isthmian League Dylan Shield, Athenian Reserves, Essex, Hertfordshire & Neighbouring Counties, Fred Budden Trophy, Isthmian Youth, Eastern Junior Alliance Under 16, Hornchurch Charity, Ilford Hospital, Romford Charity, South Essex Charity, Stepney Charity, Waltham Forest Hospital, West Ham Charity, Addenbrooke Hospital, Barking Carnival, Collins Druce, Sugden, Ron Murrant, Peter Webster and Paul Winn, Dagenham & District Sunday League’s Bellamy and Nicholls cups. A memorable success came in 1996/7 when the Essex Thameside Trophy was won with the 22nd kick of the deciding kicks from the penalty spot against Canvey Island, which Barking won 8-7. The final kick was successfully taken by Uzodimma Agbasonu Barking's team in the Amateur Cup final in 1927 included at inside left Mickey Guyton, who continued to play for the club until he was nearly 40 years old. Guyton once scored all Barking's goals in a London Senior Cup tie against Catford South End which was abandoned with the score at 6-6. Although only one professional club's (Oxford United) first team has been defeated during the club’s history, in 1922 a 2-0 half time lead was held over the full Arsenal side in the London Challenge Cup. However the Gunners scored five times in the second half. Also in two FA Cup ties against Gillingham separated by 55 years the professionals required two matches on each occasion to progress to the next round.

We have links with both the Olympic Games and the World Cup. The 1900 Olympic gold medal winning Great Britain football team (actually Upton Park FC) included former Barking Woodville player William Quash, Peter Deadman was a regular member of the Great Britain Olympic football team in the 1960s and our 2002/3 team included Rene Regis who captained and scored for St Lucia in the World Cup. Over 30 Barking players have gone on to the professional ranks and the most recently famous old boys are Kevin Hitchcock, the Chelsea goalkeeper and substitute in the 1996-97 FA Cup winning team, and Darren Purse. In their time Arthur Featherstone (West Ham United), Jack Leslie (Plymouth Argyle), probably Barking’s first black player, John Dillimore (Millwall), Harold Halse (Aston Villa, Chelsea and Manchester United where he partnered the great Billy Meredith on the right wing, twice an FA Cup winner in three finals and capped by England in 1909), Jack Tresarden (West Ham United and capped in 1923), Len Casey (Chelsea), Peter Carey (Leyton Orient), Mark Lazarus (Queens Park Rangers), Laurie Abrahams (Charlton Athletic). Joe Hawkins (Millwall) were equally famous. Tresarden played for West Ham United in the first Wembley cup final in 1923. England amateur caps were won by Charles Bradley (1913), A. Evans (1928) and Johnny Wilson (1948).

Our most famous ex player is of course Bobby Moore, the West Ham United and World Cup winning England captain. He never played for our first team but research by Terry Gilbert, our website editor, supported by the memories of our

president, Ron Debenham, has indicated that he played for our A (third) team before being signed by West ham at a young age. The programme for a charity match in 1969 states Bobby “decided to play on the pitch where he had previously appeared as a member of Barking’s ‘A’ team.”.Bobby’s parents had been active members of Barking FC Supporters’ Club and organised the transport, comprising fleets of coaches and even a special train in those days, to away matches.

Another former player to reach the highest level is David Gold, co-chairman of West Ham United while John Still, successful manager of Barnet, Peterborough, Dagenham & Redbridge and now Luton Town also played for us as a young man and was one of our youngest ever senior players at the age of 16.

We went to The Netherlands in 1929/30. We lost 3-0 to A.D.O and drew 2-2 with Quick (Nijmegen). Quick FC was founded in 1888 and still exists as does A.D.O. (Den Haag) ,whose greatest success was a quarter-final game against West Ham United in the European Cup Winners Cup in 1976. They won 4–2 in The Hague but lost 3–1 away and were eliminated on the away goals rule.

Among the club records is an unbeaten run of 18 games in 1968/9 which was almost matched by a run of 15 matches in 1996/7.In the light of modern complaints about fixture congestion it is of interest to note that Barking played 14 games in April 1927, losing only four of them. The club record run of unbeaten league games is 22 set by the reserves in 2011/12 which comprised the whole league season.

We have a long history of youth football with one of our predecessors being Barking Working Lads Institute and we have had various youth teams over the years, culminating in our current academy of which includes s scholarship scheme and youth teams at various age levels.

As a closing note, in 1895/6 Thames Ironworks needed three games to win a cup tie against Barking Woodville. It would be interesting to see if their successors, West Ham United, would find it so difficult today.

FROM THE DOG KENNEL

by Lew Listz

Boys have hit a spluttering run of form of late and that is a little bit of a worry. The rigid defensive shape so predominant early in the season seems to have gone and the goals against column in recent matches is testimony to that. More worrying the tight togetherness seems to be a little frayed around the edges, bit of a blame culture seems to be creeping in which isn't so good to hear. All need to stick together as a collective unit and take whatever comes their way as a team. Like the look of the Central Midfielder and the Welsh boy up top who looks like he's got a bit of pedigree about him.

That's enough of the criticism because I know the team don't have it that easy, there does seem to be a revolving door on selection at the moment and that can't be good for continuity whether it be due to injuries or non availability. They did battle hard on Saturday particularly when they could have completely capitulated against a strong Rumanian team. Have played 2 of the better teams in the last 3 games so time will tell just how much to read into recent form. What can be said for sure is the lads need a performance to restore pride against Apsa, there is definitely no easy games in the league this year and this one is no exception. Away support has been fantastic in recent weeks, now's the time to make home advantage count and get the season back on track. With the Ultras backing that's certainly achievable.

Testing time for Managers and players up to Xmas but I'm sure they have the strength of character to do the supporters proud- keep the faith any doubters out there.

THE NEUTRAL MATCH REPORT Sporting Bengal United 3 Clapton 2 Essex Senior League, Wednesday 27th November 2013 The following report is by Pete Dudley, a popular non league blogger on the Essex football scene. Pete is also secretary of Southend Manor FC. As painful as the result was, it’s good to see our team taking part in a match described by a neutral as a ‘great game of football’.

I travelled to the Mile End stadium to watch an East London Derby between Sporting Bengal United and Clapton in the Essex Senior League. The ‘Clapton Ultras’ were there in force as per usual creating a good atmosphere as always. The home side almost took the lead inside three minutes but were denied a goal by a point blank save. Thereafter Clapton took control of the contest and duly took the lead on 22 minutes when their Captain Ben Lowes arrived into the box unmarked to turn a near post cross past keeper Jason Hartless from about 15 yards out to give ‘The Tons’ a 1-0 lead.

This became 2-0 on 36 minutes when a through ball found Jerome Martelli and he lobbed the onrushing Hartless to put Clapton in a commanding position. This was strengthened even more two minutes before the break when Sporting went down to ten men after an off the ball incident and at half time Clapton were in complete control, 2-0 up and a man up on their hosts. Game over you would say. Well as it turned out far from it!!!

Sporting came out second half and took the game to their opponents and were soon back in the contest on 53 minutes when Sarfraz Pivano cut inside onto his right foot before bending the ball past the keeper from the edge of the box for 2-1.

Sporting continued to press Clapton back and it was hard to see who had the extra man. Clapton did look dangerous on the counter attack though so Sporting’s defence had to remain vigilant throughout.

With ten minutes of the 90 left it was 2-2.

After the keeper had made a save he parried the ball into the path of Carlos Luis Another Superb Turn Out by the Clapton Ultras Ospina who tapped into the roof of the net for a deserved leveller it has to be said. Both teams then went on the attack in search of a winner and Clapton almost found one but for a brilliant double save by Jason Hartless to keep it at 2-2. Sporting also hit the bar from a free kick and as the game entered stoppage time it was anyone’s game.

Due to the amount of stoppages in the second half the referee added on 13 minutes of injury time. Ten minutes into added time Sporting scored their winning goal. Sarfraz Pivano, who had caused Clapton no end of problems all second half, was sent clear and with the keeper coming out to close the angle he composed himself and slotted past into the goal to send the Sporting players and bench delirious with delight. It was some comeback considering where they had found themselves at half time.

Clapton tried in vain to snatch a draw by getting the ball into the Sporting area any way possible but it was all in vain as the referee brought an end to a cracking East London derby and a victory for the home side of 3-2. A superb game of football which had just about everything a fan could ask for. Well played both sides.

The Trials and Tribulations of a Non-League Programme Editor

by Stuart Fuller

Today marks my third month in the hardest job in football. Managers have an easy job turning up for 3 hours on a Saturday to watch a game for free. Directors? Well that's just sitting round a table eating biscuits and talking about building new toilet blocks (well, to an extent). I'm talking about one where you need to be available 24 x 7 yet your work often ends up being discarded in the bin. I am a (co) Football Programme Editor.

In the past three months, Barry Collins and myself have put together ten editions of the Lewes matchday programme. Programmes that every week we think are getting better and better. It does help that Barry has had some experience in the editing game (Anyone heard of PC Pro magazine by any chance?), we have a brilliant team of designers over at East-Web (thanks Jack and Lee) who lay it all out and some excellent pictures from the shutter finger of James Boyes. But it is the bits in between that cause us to burn the midnight oil.

When we took over the role in the summer, Barry and I had grand plans for the programme. Who wanted to read dull boring bits about the away team when they only bring two fans? Adverts? Seriously...one or two at best. People flocked to us promising us Pullitzer quality articles. But when the chips have been down and we needed to do three programmes in a little more than five days where were they? Exactly. We were on our own.

The problem for Non-League clubs, as Glenn Wilson pointed out in a recent When Saturday Comes article is that the job is the one nobody wants to do. The role is one of those that if we do a good job, no one notices, but if it goes wrong, everyone tells us. Whilst we have "editorial" control, our audience doesn't really care. We currently have 12 pages of adverts in a 32 page programme. That in my honest opinion is too many. We have no choice but to carry FIVE from the Ryman League because of a deal they did. It is arguable we get the value of any commercial arrangement even if one of the ads is for a lingerie shop called Boux Avenue. So each week we have to come up with something new.

So far, so good. I have no idea if sales are up or down, but two weeks ago we sold out (and long before kick off) for the first time in years. In fact the silent majority were soon quick to voice their disapproval of the fact, telling us we should have printed more. Well, perhaps if those same voices would have given us some feedback when we asked earlier in the season perhaps we may have.

We are still trying to put our own stamp of individuality on each edition. Our offering today against Margate included an article on the real founding fathers of Football, an interview with one of our oldest and most loyal fans, a piece on our opponents written by one of their more well-known fans and a "last word" from Barry about his Geoff Shreeves moment last week.

Come match day and you would think we could relax, our work finished for the week and people enjoying the fruits of our labours. But you would be wrong. We have to be on the look out for the next story. Jack Walder's Captain's Notes don't just write themselves you know, and we still have the match report to worry about. No wonder we start on the Harvey's at 2pm!

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE TABLE UP TO AN INCLUDING 4TH DECEMBER 2013

Great Wakering Rovers Enfield 1893 FC Romania Takeley Tower Hamlets Haringey Borough Basildon United Sawbridgeworth Town Clapton Hullbridge Sports Barking Ilford Sporting Bengal United Bowers & Pitsea Southend Manor Eton Manor London APSA Stansted Greenhouse London London Bari

15 16 18 17 14 15 16 17 17 15 15 18 18 16 16 17 16 16 17 17

12 12 11 11 10 9 8 8 7 7 7 6 6 4 5 5 3 3 2 0

2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 4 2 6 2 1 6 3 3 2

1 2 4 4 2 4 6 7 7 5 6 8 10 6 9 11 7 10 12 15

43 38 40 40 29 32 42 38 27 21 31 26 38 30 21 27 20 23 14 6

13 14 27 28 17 18 27 34 24 19 24 30 52 32 33 51 30 35 38 40

+30 +24 +13 +12 +12 +14 +15 +4 +3 +2 +7 -4 -14 -2 -12 -24 -10 -12 -24 -34

38 38 36 35 32 29 26 26 24 24 23 22 20 18 17 16 15 12 9 2

THE OLIVER TRIGG EXPERIENCE

Mike Bayly’s (Non League Day) Latest Project

100 BRITISH FOOTBALL GROUNDS TO VISIT BEFORE YOU DIE

BRIAN JEEVES’ LATEST BOOK OUT SOON NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE ORDER

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

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

DE-FLEA THE DOG Capital One are running a competition on Facebook to provide a makeover for a football ground.

Please nominate the Old Spotted Dog Ground For More details http://www.claptonfc.info/osd/pics/2.htm

CLAPTON FC FIXTURES 2013/14 HOME MATCHES IN CAPTITAL LETTERS

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 Tue 17/09/13 Sat 21/09/13 Sat 28/09/13 Tue 01/10/13 Sat 05/10/13 Tue 9/10/13 Sat 12/10/13 Tue 15/10/13 Sat 19/10/13 Sat 26/10/13 Sat 16/11/13 Sat 23/11/13 Wed 27/11/13 Sat 30/12/13 Tue 03/12/13 Sat 07/12/13 Tue 10/12/13 Sat 14/12/13 Tue 17/12/13 Sat 21/12/13 Tue 07/1/14

ESL ESL FA CUP FA CUP ESL FA CUP ESL ESL LCC ESL FA VASE ESL ESL ESL GBT ESL ESL FA VASE ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL ESL GBT

Bowers and Pitsea TOWER HAMLETS STANWAY ROVERS Stanway Rovers London Bari MILDENHALL TOWN HARINGEY BORO Hullbridge Sports GREAT WAKERING ROV TAKELEY Wootton Blue Cross Basildon United ILFORD Stansted Tower Hamlets SAWBRIDGEWORTH ETON MANOR BARKING Southend Manor SOUTHEND MANOR Enfield 1893 Sporting Bengal Utd FC Romania LONDON APSA BARKING GREAT WAKERING ROV Takeley GREENHOUSE LONDON LONDON BARI Eton Manor

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@ELRSport www.eastlondonradio.org.uk Stephen Porter of ELR

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Jarriette, Alleyne Matthews Martelli, Hughes Coulson (p) Duyile (p) AET CFC LOSE ON PAENS Parker, Duyile Tacey

Martelli 2, Jeffes, Jarriette Duyile, Martelli Jeffes, Duyille, Lowes Jarriette Hallowell, Duyille Lowes, Martelli Jones, Martelli Martelli 2, Jones, Briggs, Jeffes 12 noon 7.45pm 3.00pm 7.45pm 3.00pm 7.45pm

The Wanstead Tap Wanstead based business, selling the finest Craft beers at community, farmer markets and on line (soonish). The big name in micro beers from London and beyond! @TheWansteadtap Now selling from their own shop at 87 Leonard Street, Hackney, EC2

PLAYER PROFILE - PETER MOORE Name : Peter Moore Where do you live : Newham Married /Single etc? : Single Occupation : Learning Mentor Position : Left Back Previous Club(s) : Barking, Ilford, Basildon United Why did you come back to Clapton? - Clapton were my first semi professional club back when I was 17, so it was always nice to come back! Also a big plus was Woodsy being the manager here, as I’ve played for three of the clubs he’s been at.

What are your impressions of the team for this season? Yes, I think everyone at the club is enjoying some of the success we are having at the moment. But the jobs not over yet, we still have a long way to go and many more times to prove how good we can be. There’s always room for improvement !

How do you or the players respond to the wave or renewed interest in the club and the support from the Scaffold? We absolutely love it! There’s nothing better than hearing them sing throughout the whole game, it’s like having a 12th man on the pitch with us. On behalf of myself and all the boys, we really appreciate the support and the fantastic turn out we get week in week out! We hope to pay them back with great performances and wins.

Have you any advice for the fans ? - Just keep singing! It pulls us through all the time and gives us a massive boost when we need it most. With your support, hopefully together we can get the club moving in the right direction on and off the pitch. Also please sing the “Pepe’s in the woods” song again soon! I love it haha.

Is there anything you would like to see at Clapton? – Just more wins and more success for the club would do me! And cooler showers in the home team dressing room, you can’t stand under them for any more than a second or you’ll know about it!

Which pro team do you support? – West Ham, lived all my life a few roads away from the ground.

Your favourite ground ? – Nou Camp. It’s one amazing place to watch football!

Favourite music/bands? - Techno and house music! Although I always listen to heart in my car!

Favourite holiday destination? - Ibiza!

Favourite film? – Shutter island, a film that gets you thinking.

Favourite TV programme? - Hate to admit it but... it’s Made In Chelsea at the moment.

Who do you follow on Twitter, and why? - I follow Paddy Power! Not only do I love a bet, but they post some funny pictures/comments about what’s going on in the football world today.

THE LINE UPS CLAPTON FC

BARKING FC

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

All Blue Strip Manager : Mick O’Shea Coach : Rob O’Brien Sports Therapist : Alan Richards

THE TONS PEPE DIAGNE SAM NAYLOR PETER MOORE JAMIE LINDEN BILLY RUNGAY CRAIG GREENWOOD JAMES BRIGGS BEN LOWES BILLY WISE NICK READ LEWIS JONES TOM JEFFES JUSTIN MAYNARD JEROME MARTELLI RAFAEL DUYILLE JERRY JARRIETTE

Player Sponsored by

DAMOS HORVATH JAY ABBERLEY G.V.O. LUKE FOSTER NATHAN PHILLIP BILLY RIX Andrew Barr BEN O’BRIEN JAMES BUTLER Ian & Peter Simpson ALEX BUSH DUMEBI GB-DUMAKA LAMARR REYNOLDS LUKE McLEAVEY Mark Barlow MICHAEL AGBOOLA DANIEL ABIOYE LUKE GABRIEL REECE BAKER THEO OLA ANTHONY DA SILVA ADE OSMILAJA MATCH OFFICIALS: REFEREE – Jeff Stanley LINOS :- Gavin Holleran, Gary Creal Gavin Clarke

OUR NEXT HOME MATCH

THEN

TUESDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2013

TUESDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2013

CLAPTON v GREAT WAKERING ROVERS

CLAPTON v LONDON GREENHOUSE

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE KICK OFF 7.45PM AT THE DOG

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE KICK OFF 7.45PM 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 Contact Us and we’ll include your site in our next virtual issue.

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 10 Sebert Road, Forest Gate Great local café.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @FO_Clapton FC @Clapton Ultras

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

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