Right values, but poor football

Tuesday 2 May 2023, Stonewall 0 Clapton Community FC 0- Middlesex Premier League, London Marathon Community Track

Two clubs with strong community feel, Stonewall for the LGBT community and Clapton, a club that puts it's community first- nothing but respect for both - unfortunately the football on display was dire- Clapton just needed a point to become Champions, and put very little effort into the game, Stonewall were the better team, but had no cutting edge.

Nice to visit another 2012 Olympic venue.

Game had everything

Monday 22 October 2018, Erith Town 4 Clapton 4 ( 3-4 on penalties) - London Senior Cup, 2nd Round, Erith Stadium

8 gaols, a red card plus penalties - a game that had everything and in the end the 10 men of Clapton deserved the win. Plus one of their goals, a volley by the well named, Eusebio was a cracker.

The stadium - even for one that has an 8 lane athletics track was OK, as Erith have club room, a welcome coffee and a good committee of helpers who made it an enjoyable evening south of the river.

Down at the Old Spotted Dog

Tuesday 14 July 2015, Clapton 0 Romford 1, Pre-season friendly, The Old Spotted Dog

Clapton have become one of the better known non-league clubs over recent seasons and that is mainly due to their fanatical supporters the ‘ultras’ of the Scaffold Brigada. There non stop singing, banners, use of pyro and for me more importantly their close friendship with their players.

But Clapton also have a long and varied history, FA Amateur cup wins, their ground (the Old Spotted Dog) now the oldest ground in London, they have had numerous famous players including Walter Tull.

So with a great history, a fantastic set of supporters, some young promising players you would think everything would be all rosey in the Clapton garden but nothing could be further from the truth – but what is the truth?

There seems to be a nasty split between those behind the Ultras and Mr McBean the man who runs the club, the ground is in a very poor state and looks almost as depressing as the derelict Spotted Dog pub next door. If you look at the websites run by both sides you will see a background to the current disputes between the rival sides. But I am not sure until you visita game do you see there is more to the story. Just before kick off an Ultra approached Mr McBean informing him that a couple of fans did not have enough money to pay the admission as they thought the cost of getting in would only be £3 as it was a pre-season game, a quick chat and Mr McBean let the fans in at £3. I also saw during the game a number of the Scaffold Brigada have long and amicable conversations with McBean.

I then approached Mr McBean for a chat, not about football but I recognised the name from my time in the army, Vince McBean left the Royal Green Jackets just as I started my 25 year career in the regiment, he was a well known character! We did get onto talking about the football, his hopes for a number of their young players and he was also very complimentary when talking about the supporters, no mention of the disputes between himself and some of their leaders.

I know there is more to it that what I saw, ownership of the ground, charity trusts, finances but I can see hope – imagine how far this club could go if Mr McBean and the supporters could all work together, the ground could be improved, imagine if their purchased their polish beer from the clubhouse rather than the local off-license.

Just needs someone to bang a few heads together and find a way forward – I certainly will be trying to watch Clapton again, and if you get a chance get along to the Old Spotted Dog but go with an open mind!

9 Players, 9 fans, but still a great club!

Tuesday 23 September 2014, Stanway Rovers 1 Clapton FC 0, Essex Senior Cup - 2nd Round, Hawthorns

Kick off 50 minutes late because of accidents on the A12, Clapton starting with 9 men- no time for the London club to warm up. After 20 minutes they had 11 players but no water bottles and no subs till half time and all against an in-form and organized Stanway side- so a great effort by Clapton in that they only lost to an 89th minute goal.

Then we have the Clapton Ultras- what a set of fans, I was not sure many would attend as a long trip to North Essex on a Tuesday night even without the accidents on the A12, but they arrived and sung throughout the whole game.

No pyro but they had their flags and banners with them, red and black and anti fascist.

The songs included 'Senegal's number one' when their keeper arrived on the pitch, 20 minutes after the game had started! Songs about every player, about living in the East End and a very aimed at Stanway.

When a Clapton played was replaced by a sub, he took his shirt off and joined the 'Ultras' behind the goal.

What a club, what a team and what fantastic supporters- you made me feel proud to be a football fans - and a socialist!

Any sadder sight in football?

Last night I went to see Orient play Hull in the League Cup but as I was arriving early, I thought if I could visit a few other local sporting grounds whilst in East London.

This was a last minute plan but a quick check of the map and I could see the home of Leyton Wingate FC and Leyton Cricket Club. I did not have tome to research much else other than finding out that Leyton Cricket Club had used to be the home of Essex Cricket club and they continued to still visit the ground and play a game a season till the early 70's. But I knew little about Layton Wingate FC - I was in for a shock!!

The Club no longer exists and I found a deserted football ground that is now home to a large marquee, owned by the neighbouring Indian restaurant. the pitch is also a car park but the stands, lights and one gaol plus nets, still survives - how did it happen?

A picture on twitter and a quick chat with the landlady of the 'Hare and Hounds' the former name of Leyton Stadium = told a tale of owners in jail for Fraud, VAT evasion and club mergers, moves and court cases over the name of the club.

It seems the last game was played in the 2009 and the club was thrown out of the league in January 2010 - Leyton FC - the second oldest football club in London.

It is hard for non league clubs in London, in particular north of the river and it is surprising that Ilford FC survive, at least Clapton FC are putting a fight up! More on the sad end of Leyton FC can be found here

It seems the Indian restaurant seem to have the ground on a year by year lease but are not allowed to play sport on the pitch! Only a long goal kick from here is the Olympic Park - but come to Lea Bridge Road and you will see no Olympic legacy.

If you get a chance take a look before it decays further - the future? would guess that some developer has his eyes on the site.

Further down the road at Leyton Cricket Ground, no longer a home fit for Essex CC but a brilliant pavilion, listed and so the residents of Leyton can still use this facility- a far different story to what is happening up the Lea Bridge Road.

Leyton Cricket Ground