VIRTUAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

CLAPTON v

MILDENHALL TOWN FA Cup Preliminary Round

Saturday 31st August 2013 Kick Off 3.00pm

This programme is available free, 24 hours before the match to those who become a Virtual Spectator on www.claptonfc.info

CLAPTON FC – VIRTUALLY THE BEST TEAM IN LONDON

CLAPTON v MILDENHALL TOWN

It’s been another incredible week for those who follow Clapton FC, After the euphoria of the FA Cup replay win, our game last Saturday against Takeley FC was postponed by the referee just three minuts before kick off. No criticism of the referee. The rain was of monsoon quality and there was no option.

However, one cannot hide the disappointment of everyone at Clapton in that, it was an opportunity to build on the good result at Stanway and the Ultras, along with other other fans, were preparing for another great afternoon at the Dog. None more so than a band of travelling Ultras who support St Pauli, a German club with play in Budesliga 2. They had installed themselved in the grandstand (the posh seats opposite the Scaffold) and a lively exchange of song, chanting and banter, all in support of the Tons, promised to ensue. Thus a real spectacle was on the cards. Shame. However, St Pauli are a very interesting club with unique fans and we hope to run a feature in the Clapton iProg shortly So, we return to the FA Cup and our visitors, Mildenhall Town, play in the same league as Stanway Rovers and thus, a keenly fought contest is anticipated. Hopefully the pitch has fully recovered from last weekend, the reggae concert that was due to take place last Monday and the Bari match. The ‘Hall’ will be well supported at the Dog today and have put on a coach for their fans. We hope they all have an enjoyable afternoon and safe journey back to Cambridgeshire later tonight. For the Tons, James Briggs recently injured his ankle and is unavailable. On the positive side, Clapton talisman, Davey Armstrong has recovered from injury and is likely to be avaialable for selection today. Last Tuesday night’s win over London Bari was very welcome indeed. Again the lads played well, Johnny Hughes scored a marvellous goal, and the win was fully deserved. There is every reason to think that our team will not be drawn into a battle at the bottom of the table as we were last season. Our only league loss, against Tower Hamlets, was very unfortunate, and we are now more than a match for an team in the Essex Senior League. Next Tuesday we entertain Haringey Borough which will be another good test. The match kicks off at 7.45pm. The lads are playing well and deserve your support. Clapton FC shirts are now for sale at £20 each. They can be ordered from Gavin at the game, or by emailing him at grclarke1878@gmail.com. The scarves have also proved popular and can be ordered from Rob in the scaffold. Finally, there is currently an attempt at an ‘information embargo’ on the Friends of Clapton FC by the club itself. It will not succeed, and we will contiue to report on the club despite this. Their problem is that the hightened interest puts the ‘entity’ that uses the name Clapton Football Club, in the spotlight. The article in this programme regarding the tenure of the ground and the warehouse (and what a mess that is) is just the tip of the iceberg. The Friends of Clapton FC are a group who wish to return Clapton FC to a democratic club with an open membership and elected officers. Don’t be fooled by any claims that one individual ‘owns’ the club. We have documents that prove, quite clearly, that this is not the case. GVO

Join the Friends of Clapton FC at http://www.friendsofclaptonfc.org

OUR VISITORS

MILDENHALL TOWN FC

Ground : The Recway

Manager :

Christian Appleby

Mildenhall Town was formed in August 1898, and although club records are scarce, the club did win the Suffolk Junior Cup in 1900, defeating SOUTHWOLD RA Volunteers 4-0 in the final. The club had to wait 93 years for their next county success, lifting the Cambs Junior Cup in 1993, and lifting the Cambs Invitation Cup in 1996. The Club joined the Bury & District league in 1945, competing well in this league until joining the Cambs County League in 1969. After many successful years, the club joined the newly formed Jewson ECL Division 1 in 1988. After coming to terms with this higher level of football, the club attained promotion to the ECL Premier Division in 1999, under the guidance of joint managers Rob Steele for Steve O Donohue, and chairman Brian Brigden, finishing runners up to Clacton Town in 1999. The club also reached the Suffolk premier Cup Final in 2000 losing to Lowestoft Town. The club also underwent a major transformation during this period, brining the ground up to current standards, and building the excellent clubhouse whilst still retaining an enviable central location. Steele was succeeded by Trevor Munns in 2001, leading to six years of consistently creditable finishing positions in the ECL PREMIER Division culminating in a superb 2nd spot in 2006/7, garnering a total of 97 points. Unfortunately Wroxham got 101 points! Hall again reached the Suffolk Premier Cup Final in 2003 where they lost to the very strong AFC Sudbury in the Ram Meadow Final. The club also had two excellent runs in the FA Vase, losing away to Hillingdon Borough in 2006 and away to Billingham Synthonia in 2007, both times reaching the last 16. The 2006 run included the defeat of then Vase holders Didcot Town in a replay at Recway in front of a club record 320 spectators, probably the finest night in the club’s history. Current chairman Martin Tuck succeeded Brian Brigden in 2002, and he has led the club through a turbulent, although largely successful period. Munns resigned in November 2007 to be succeeded by local duo, Dave Pinkowski and Tony Lyes. The highlight of their reign was a 7-0 drubbing of Lowestoft Town, their heaviest league defeat in 50 years. Pinkowski and Lyes were followed by former Bolton Wanderers Premiership star Simon Charlton. Charlton had a very successful season in charge, culminating in a superb 3-1 victory over Wisbech Town in the Cambs Invitation Cup Final at the Abbey Stadium. Charlton left in 2010 to be replaced by ex Woodbridge boss, Christian Appleford. Christian, ably assisted by Tom Youngs led the team to immediate success, retaining the coveted Cambs invitation Cup, beating Haverhill Rovers 2-0 in the 2011 final, as well as attaining a highly creditable 5th place in the league. Outstanding players in recent seasons include Matt Mitchell King, who after being sold by the Hall to Histon, progressed into the Football League playing for Crewe Alexandra, and more recently, AFC Wimbledon. Local legend John Sands took the Ridgeons League by storm during his time with the club, scoring a club record of 31 league goals in 20010/11, earning himself a transfer to Bury Town. Sands’ record only lasted one season however, as Andrew Wood won the coveted League Golden boot in 2011/12 scoring a club record of 33 league goals. The club is still undergoing change. In recent seasons both the U18 and the reserve team have been disbanded. However, the club has re-established a very strong youth section, and struck strong links with local independent clubs Mildenhall High Town and Mildenhall Utd, which should be of great benefit moving into the future. Also, the club launched a redevelopment fund in November 2010, with the aim to improve further the facilities at Recway. The club has set an ambitious target of £25,000. Mildenhall won through to this round of the FA Cup by hammering Sawbridgeworth Town 6-1 away from home. The ESL side had their keeper sent off just before the interval and thereafter Mildenhall took full advantage, with Allicion Blake scoring a hat trick. Their assistant manager is Tom Youngs, a former pro, who played for Cambridge United, Northampton, Orient and Bury. According to Wikipedia, Tom was rated as a talented youngster in the Football Manager computer game in 1997. Oh well, welcome to the Old Spotted Dog Tom ! Mildenhall Town play in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League as do our previous opponents in this competition, Stanway Rovers. In the League, Town registered their first win last Saturday, a 4-1 drubbing of FC Clacton and have followed this with a 3-1 victory at Ely City on Tuesday night. They have scored 17 goals in their last four matches. We wish them an enjoyable afternoon at the Dog and a safe journey home later.

Stanway Rovers 0-1 Clapton - Little Wonder

Journalist, author, Southend United fan and Friend of Clapton FC reports on the oldest cup competition in the world with an

Olympic hero who was at the game.

Best laid plans and all that. This week, I was supposed to be scribing my

thoughts on Clapton’s Essex Senior League Cup tie with Great Wakering

Rovers. However, what with the Tons and Stanway Rovers drawing a blank

with their FA Cup extra preliminary Round conundrum, East London has been

swapped for the suburbs of Colchester as the latter pair look to settle their tie

once and for all. Nonetheless, when one door closes, another opens. Not only

has Saturday’s goalless draw at the Old Spotted Dog offered me and trusty

footballing companion Ed our first real cup match of the season, it has also

given me the chance to catch up with Paralympian, Zoe Newson.

On arrival at Stanway’s neat Hawthorns ground, I glance behind me at the

queue at the turnstile; there is a look of apprehension on people’s faces,

although this may be more down to the rapidly diminishing pile of programmes.

Ed is standing behind me and I know the workings of his warped mind, he’s

likely to say, “17 please mate” when offered a match day magazine, before

turning to the gasping line and grinning like a Cheshire cat. However, on this

occasion he settles for a single copy much to the relief of the masses.

We pass through the turnstile and meet up with our Olympic hero. 21-year old

Zoe Newson qualified for the games after being ranked in the top 8 in Britain,

taking the only position in the women's under 40 kg category.

A Paralympian due to a growth hormone deficiency, Zoe, along with countless other athletes, captured our hearts and

imagination during London 2012, where she won the Bronze Medal after equalling a personal best lift of 88kg. She is an

inspirational figure as both a sports person and role model. Her statue never seems to have been a hindrance. “The other

kids were careful with me at school,” she tells me. Indeed, it was during her time at East Bergholt High School, Newson

discovered her talent for the weights and joined the Suffolk Spartans. As we talk about her path to Olympic glory, Zoe offers

me and Ed an amazing opportunity to hold her precious medal. I take the gong in my hands but refrain from placing it

around my neck “You earned that honour, I’m not worthy of wearing it” I tell her, although I add that if I had won it, I would

never take it off!

Nevertheless, why do we find an Olympic hero at a somewhat underwhelming FA Cup match between two minnows the vast

majority present at May’s final have never heard of? Away from competing, Zoe has a passion for non-league football. She

can often be found watching her brothers, Ben and Sam, playing for Heybridge Swifts and Needham Market respectively.

Previously, they had turned out for Stanway; as a result, Zoe continues to lend them her support as well. I ask her thoughts

on the evenings encounter “Hope for a Stanway win and don’t want the game spoiled by a poor referee” she tells me.

Early exchanges were much as one would have expected. Plenty of honest endeavours, but little in the way of quality as the

players struggled with the hard surface. Passes went astray and clear chances were at a premium. The importance of the

games, even at this stage, is huge. Prize money of £1,500 can make a big difference as does the gate money from a bigger

than usual crowd.

Stanway Rovers were looking slightly the stronger. Stuart Fergus blasted over, then Hassan Ayrten fired agonisingly across

the face of goal after a surging run.

The home side continued to press. Ben Parkin drew a spectacular save out of Clapton’s Pepe Diagne, while Chris Thomas’

headed effort was deflected wide. At the other end, Abs Jarriette’s quick feet carved out a chance, which warmed the fingers

of Luke Banner.

The Rovers rearguard did well to contain the talents of Jarriette and Raphael Duyile while continuing to create the lion’s

share of the opportunities themselves; this didn’t stop the travelling Clapton “Ultras” (numbering three) from chanting

“You’re not very good” at the home side. The Ultras have certainly helped put Clapton back on the map, indeed the club are

starting to gather something of a cult following. On Saturday, a group of German St Pauli supporters set out to watch

Queens Park Rangers, but ended up at the Old Spotted Dog after seeing a flyer for the original tie. A bit of a snub for

Championship outfit, dare I say like, oh I don’t know, Scott Parker rebuffing you for Fulham!

Stanway continued to knock at the door. Diagne saved from Fergus, then the big keeper did well to deny Adam Brotherton

twice and Lauris Coggin as the homesters turned the screw. The home side’s dominance brought the crowd to life, but they

took a collective deep breath as Jarriette’s shot flashed narrowly wide after the clever wide man had dashed into the box.

As teams left the field for a well-earned half time brew, we caught up with Zoe by the tea bar. She was happy with the

opening period and singled out Clapton’s Diagne and Nick Read for special praise. Having scribbled Zoe’s analysis into my

note pad, Ed and I headed back to the stand armed with tea and a bacon roll.

Stanway had enjoyed the better of the first half, but it was the East Londoners turn to shine. Read was snubbed out after

being teed up by Jarriette, then Banner raced from his goal to save the day and clatter Jarriette in the process.

Nevertheless, the balance of power had shifted, and as we approached the hour mark, a golden moment crystallised the tie.

Neil Matthews won possession before sending a dipping 25-yard strike beyond the extended Banner and high into the net.

The visitor’s celebrations easily matched that of any cup final as players mobbed each other and the “Clapton 3” staged a

mini pitch invasion. Minutes later, Read had an opportunity to put the tie to bed, but pulled his shot wide, drawing an “Oooo”

from the Ultras.

Realising the match was slipping away, Stanway piled forward. Diagne made a brilliant double save to deny Brotherton and

then Coggin. Then after substitute Jake Plane had seen Sam Naylor block his shot, Brotherton and Diagne resumed their

personal duel, with the keeper once again coming out on top.

It was “kitchen sink” time for Rovers, with Clapton happy to soak up the pressure and play on the break. Twice the visitors

could have put the tie out of reach, firstly Billy Rungay fired over, and then Jarriette was denied by Banner after outfoxing

the Rovers backline.

Clapton keeper Diagne had long since claimed any man of the match award, his final save of the evening his most

impressive, foiling Jack Harrington with his fingertips. The home crowd were incensed after Clapton’s Dean Bouho clashed

with Brotherton. Both were treated for cuts, however, Brotherton had to leave the field with a serious facial injury, we wish

him a speedy recovery.

The final whistle brought about wild celebrations and another pitch invasion. We caught up with Zoe “A good game, although

perhaps Clapton should have had a man sent off” her post match verdict. We also managed to grab a few words with the

Clapton Ultras. These guys epitomise the enjoyment of football, they are passionate with a sense of fun thrown in, an

ingredient sadly lacking in higher realms of our national game.

Overall, it had been a decent night. A candid FA Cup encounter, settled by a honey of a goal with tea, a bacon roll with an

Olympic medallist thrown in, and I still saw change out of a tenner! Now tell me, what Premiership match offers you that

value?

Stanway Rovers: Banner, Ince, Blanchette, Fitzgibbon, Ribchester, Parkin, Fergus, Coggin, Thomas, Brotherton, Ayten.

Substitutes: Plane, Springett, Beecham, Harrington, North, Shaikly.

Clapton: Diagne, Naylor, Hughes, Matthews, Greenwood, Tacey, Jarriette, Pooley, Kanjor, Read, Duyile.

Substitutes: Rungay, Alleyne, Moore, Bouho, Arundell, Boateng.

Attendance: 120

DID YOU KNOW ? That the goal posts at the Old Spotted Dog Ground were those used by Leytonstone and Ilford at their home ground in Granleigh Road until they left the ground in 1986. Another East London football ground lost but the posts remain.

Our last match against Leytonstone / Ilford was an FA Cup tie in 1988 when Stones’ manager Ted Hardy brought his team of non league stars to the Dog in 1987. Clapton, who were two divisions of the Vauxhall League below their visitors, lost by the only goal of the game.

The old stand at Granleigh Road

THE CLAPTON TEAM PEN PICTURES

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

PETER MOORE - Peter loves a tan, and like his tan, is looking a hot prospect for the coming season at left back. Another ex Ilford player.

NEIL MATTHEWS : Always a good leader with excellent passing range. Loves to be the team joker. Was a Charlton schoolboy. Has also played for Ilford.

KENECHUKWU ANATUNE (KC) Midfielder with a superb engine. Rejoins Tons after spells in Scotland on trial. Good work ethic and a bonus to have him at the club.

LEWIS ROWLAND - Joined the Tons in the summer and will be good competition for the number 1 shirt.

SAM NAYLOR - Sam can play right back or centre half. He is a good passer who reads the game well. A good addition to the Team. He has played for Canvey previously.

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

DEAN BOUHO - Strong centre half. Equally at home in the middle of the park. Signed last season from Enfield. The lad has a great attitude.

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

JOHN HUGHES - Left back with a cultured left peg. Vastly experienced having had spells at Redbridge, Ilford, and Basildon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHRIS WOOD (MANAGER) - Experienced Manager, now in his second spell at Clapton FC. Chris has also managed Ilford, Mauritius Sports and Basildon. As a player he played for Southend as a junior, then went on to East Thurrock before becoming a regular at Ilford for over 10 seasons, eventually as club captain.

NEIL DAY (ASSISTANT MANAGER) – Previously served at Enfield and Ilford, Neil is an experienced coach and the perfect foil for Chris Wood.

PLAYER PROFILE - JAMES BRIGGS

Name : James Briggs Where do you live : I live In London Married /Single etc? : I have a girlfriend. Occupation : I am a student. Position : Centre midfield / Centre forward Previous Club(s) : Boreham Wood FC, Redbridge FC

Why did you come back to Clapton? - I heard about Clapton through Matt Tacey and he was telling me how much of a good setup Clapton is and how I would enjoy my football, which is something I need to be doing. What are your impressions of the team for this season? - So far so good, I enjoy playing with the lads and I have no doubt that the season will be a good one. How do you or the players respond to the wave or renewed interest in the club and the support from the Scaffold? The supporters are amazing, every time I hear them sing the hairs on my neck stand up and it encourages me to play my heart out and give my all for the team! Have you any advice for the fans ? - Keep up the amazing atmosphere Is there anything you would like to see at Clapton? - A flat playing surface would be nice ha ha Which pro team do you support? – Arsenal Your favourite player ? - I have two favourite players. One is Dennis Bergkamp and the other is Steven Gerrard. Your favourite ground ? – I've visited many grounds across Europe but the best I've been too has to be the Nou Camp in Barcelona. Your Favourite meal? - Spaghetti bolognese . Favourite music/bands? - Not to fussy when it comes to music, like a bit of house, RnB, old School garage. Favourite holiday destination? – Egypt Favourite film? – Forrest Gump Favourite TV programme? - Match of the Day (when Arsenal win haha) Who do you follow on Twitter, and why? - The only famous person I follow on twitter is Joey Barton, he's always got a opinion and loves winding people up!

NEXT HOME MATCHES Tuesday 3rd September 2013.

CLAPTON v HARINGEY BOROUGH

Essex Senior League Kick Off 7.45pm

Saturday 14th September 2013

CLAPTON v LONDON APSA

Essex Senior League Kick Off 3.00pm

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 Bowers and Pitsea A 0-0 Tue 13/08/13 ESL Tower Hamlets H 2-3 Jarriette, Alleyne

Sat 17/08/13 FA CUP Stanway Rovers H 0-0

Sat 17/08/13 FA CUP Stanway Rovers A 1-0 Matthews

Tue 27/08/13 ESL London Bari A 2-0 Jerome, Hughes

Sat 31/08/13 FA CUP MILDENHALL TOWN HOME 3.00PM

Tue 03/09/13 ESL Haringey Borough HOME 7.45PM

Sat 07/09/13 ESL Hullbridge Sports AWAY 3.00PM

Sat 14/09/13 ESL London APSA HOME 3.00PM

Sat 21/09/13 FA VASE Wotton Blue Cross AWAY 3.00PM

Sat 28/09/13 ESL Basildon United AWAY 3.00PM

Tue 01/10/13 ESL Ilford HOME 7.45PM

Sat 05/10/13 ESL Stansted AWAY 3.00PM

Sat 12/10/13 ESL Sawbridgeworth Town HOME 3.00PM

Sat 19/10/13 ESL Eton Manor HOME 3.00PM

Sat 24/10/13 ESL Southend Manor AWAY 3.00PM

This season’s Non league Day takes place on Saturday 7

th 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!

Support Your Local Team!

ON THIS DAY 31 Aug 1991 FA Cup Prelim Round Arlesey Town 0 Clapton 1 Peter Mason’s second half strike was enough to win the match for the Tons. 30 Aug 1986 – FA Cup Prelim Round Clapton 0 Yeading 1 Clapton make an early exit from the competition to new Spartan League club Yeading who, a couple of years later were to win the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium. 30 Aug 1980 – FA Cup Prelim Round Cheshunt 0 Clapton 1 A Clapton side, with Terry Maybin (Paul’s Uncle) on the bench, ran out unexpected winners by the only goal at Theobalds Lane. Tons : Danny Gill, Henry Okosi, Lou Piatkoski, Chris Henney, John Kerslake, Rowland Cray, Tonny Davis, Connie Flynn, Barry Brookes, John Docker, Lawrence Ashworth. Sub : Terry Maybin .

THE OLD SPOTTED DOG GROUND Dispelling the Myths (1)

In recent months there has been some concern over Old Spotted Dog Ground and the tenure of the club. In the course of the publicity and various exchanges on views and information, it would appear that there are may people who are under a number of misconceptions as to who owns the ground, who holds the lease on the ground and what, exactly, Clapton FC tenure is on the ground. The ground itself is owned by Red Star Pub Company Limited, who are the property holding company of a brewery group. They have succeeded a line of freeholders with connections to the brewing industry, mainly because, in the early part of the 20

th century, the ground was owned by Watney’s brewery.

After some years of playing on the ground after the lease had expired, a group of Clapton FC members approached, the then free holders Grand Metropolitan, and after considerable negotiation, were granted a 99 year lease on the ground in 1992. The group formed a limited company by guarantee which attained Charitable status to hold the lease. This company was called the Newham Community Leisure Trust Limited. This company holds the lease. In 1998, the company purchased the freehold of the warehouse that lies between the ground and the old pub which is now being used as a Tyre Warehouse. The company remains the freeholder of this land. The company is currently headed by Mr Vincent McBean who joined in 2000. There are now only two other directors, Mr Kazz Harris and Mr Rashford Angus. The company is structured in such a way that no one director can profit from its assets. Furthermore, it is forbidden to trade unless certain conditions are fulfilled. For some years, the company has not satisfied these conditions and there have been no changes in the constitution of the company since its inception, save for a change of name in 1993. You may be surprised to know that Clapton Football Club itself does not hold any formal lease or sub-lease to run the Old Spotted Dog. All the Land Registry documents, which are all open public records, that confirm the above may be found at www.claptonfc.info/osd/home.htm Therefore, no one person owns, or has any proprietary interest, in the Old Spotted Dog Ground. It follows, notwithstanding the current inability for the company to trade, that monies raised through he use of the ground are the property of the Newham Community Leisure Trust and not any individual. More to follow.

LEAGUE ROUND UP

Last Saturday’s downpour caused havoc with the ESL programme. Not only was our game

postponed minutes before kick off, three other games never got started.

Best win of the day was for Barking who hammered Eton Manor 5-0. Congratulations to FC Romania scored their first win in senior football by beating London Bari 2-0.

Southend Manor won by the same score at London Apsa whereas Tower Hamlets scored an impressive 2-1 over Haringey Borough. League leaders Sporting Bengal were held to a draw by

Greenhouse London.

League Games today: Bowers & Pitsea v Eton Manor; Ilford v FC Romania; London APSA v London Bari; Sporting Bengal United v Takeley.

OUR NEXT ISSUE Haringey Borough are old adversaries from our Ryman League days and have made the switch to the Essex Senior League. The club has an interesting history and, let us not forget, are the only football club who actually play on White Hart Lane! Also more myths dispelled about Clapton FC and the Old Spotted Dog,

Don’t miss it !

PLAYER SPONSORS

2013/14

PLAYER SPONSOR PLAYER SPONSOR

CRAIG GREENWOOD (Club Capt.) ANDREW BARR

BEN LOWES (Team Capt.)

PEPE DIAGNE GAVIN CLARKE

JOHNNY BRIGGS

NICK READ

CORY ALLEYNE IAN & PETER

SIMPSON

JAMIE POOLEY

G.V.O

PETER MOORE

SAM NAYLOR NEIL MATTHEWS

JOHNNY HUGHES ZAC ATTAN

STEFAN NEILSEN

BILLY RUNGAY

ROB ARUNDEL

MATT TACEY

LEWIS ROWLAND MITCH LEWES

OKIE SAYLER ROY JONES

FEMI COKER WES DE OLIVERA

JERRY JANNETTE MARK NURSE (Coach)

It costs just £50 to sponsor a player for the season. In return we will give you, or your business, an acknowedgement in each of the Virtual Programmes and on our website thoughout the season.

PLUS - A FREE CLAPTON REPLICA SHIRT (L or XL)

or a CLAPTON SCAFFOLD BRIGADA SCARF Email info@claptonfc.info

All proceeds from the player sponsorship, virtual tickets and iMatch Programmes will be used to help the team, buy equipment, assist with travel costs to away matches, wash the kit etc. (the expenses which would normally be incurred by a football club at this level).

Mike Bayley writes :-

100 BRITISH FOOTBALL GROUNDS TO VISIT BEFORE YOU DIE

Recently, I read an article about Nantwich Town of the Northern Premier League. A photo of their neat main stand drew me in, to the point where I found myself thinking, “I wouldn’t mind going there to watch a match”. In itself, this is a fairly unspectacular anecdote, were it not for the epiphany it inadvertently gave me Nantwich Town are one of several thousand clubs in Great Britain who, given the opportunity, I could choose to visit in order to experience the sights and sounds of a new football ground. But on paper at least, the choice is as arbitrary as hundreds of others. As a committee member and slavish follower of Wingate & Finchley FC in the Isthmian League, opportunities to indulge in random ground visits are rare. Even if I were a dedicated traveller, there would never be enough time to visit the several thousand grounds that constitute our football landscape. As such, one sometimes has to be more selective. And here is where the epiphany kicked in. What if there was a bucket list, a holy grail if you like, of the top 100 British grounds to visit before you die? Who would be on it? Why would they be on it? And then it occurred to me: why not find out and write a book about it? The problem is, where do you start with something so vast? It would be pointless for me to draw solely on my own experiences as I have only visited around 90 grounds, some of which have been positively awful. Besides, basing something so subjective on the basis of one person's opinion is riddled with folly. No, the correct thing, indeed the only thing, is to throw the matter open to a public vote. During my years following football, I have had the privilege to meet a diverse spectrum of fans and aficionados, from season ticket holders in the Premier League through to non-League groundhoppers. Hopefully, this wide ranging passion for the game will provide a wide ranging selection of responses; whilst there is much to be said for grand old stadiums with electrically charged atmospheres, there is equal merit in the tumbledown ground set at the foot of a mountain range. It is this eclectic mix of venues that makes our football heritage so rich and rewarding, something the book will ultimately aim to capture in all its glory. So this is very much where I hand over to you, the person reading this article. In an attempt to try and bring this altogether, I am asking fans to nominate up to five of their favourite British grounds visited. They do not need to be submitted in order of preference, as each ground submitted will receive one vote. However, each vote should be accompanied by a brief explanation. Not only does this give the nomination credibility, but it allows the book to reference those who have actually visited the grounds. You can nominate any existing ground at any level of the football pyramid in England, Wales or Scotland. In terms of individual selection criteria, this is fairly open. It could be anything from architecture, location, atmosphere, historical significance, the warmth of welcome or quality of food. Selections that are too partisan should probably be avoided. For example, ‘because they’re my club’ or ‘because we won the league there’ don’t really constitute solid enough justification for entry. Votes can be submitted by emailing 100groundsproject@gmail.com Closing date for entries will be December 1st 2013 (though this may be pushed back depending on work commitments nearer the time). After this point, I will tally up the entries, and then set about visiting the top 100 grounds with my camera and notebook as nominated by you good people. The final format of the book is yet to be decided, but I will aim to provide colour photos, directions, a brief history and a personal review for each ground that makes the final cut. As a footnote, I should stress that no such list will ever be definitive. If you poll two different sample pools at two different points in time you are likely to get two different outcomes. But then this isn’t a referendum on the laws of the game or a thesis on financial governance. First and foremost, this is supposed to be a bit of fun. And if it introduces fans to grounds or clubs they were hitherto unaware of, it can only be a good thing.

- Mike Bayly is not only an author and regular columnist in non league publications, he is also a member of the Friends of Clapton FC and visited the Dog last Tuesday to collect his Clapton scarf and receive his OSD fix.

- Follow Mike on Twitter: @mike_bayly

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CLAPTON v HARINGEY BOROUGH

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Kick off 7.45PM

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THEN SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER

CLAPTON v LONDON APSA ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

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