And the lights go on!

Tuesday 5 September 2017, Little Oakley 2 West Essex 3 - Memorial Ground, Essex Senior Cup, 2nd Round

A year ago I visited Little Oakley, when they were members of the Border League, and it is amazing the work they have done at the ground in just 12 months. Tonight was the culmination of that work with the hosting of their first floodlight match.

182 people paid to see this cracking game and the visitors, West Essex just deserved the win in what was a close game.

Little Oakley may struggle on the pitch this season but 'off' the pitch this is a club that is well organised, well run and appreciated by the village. Well worth a visit (or 2).

Not a great way to treat supporters

Tuesday 20 January 2015, Redbridge v AFC Hornchurch, Essex Senior Cup at Oakside Stadium - postponed

Arrived with 20 minutes to spare just to find the game called off, looked playable to me and not dangerous. Poor decision by the match officials?

A dismal night for the Dockers

Tuesday 2 December, Tilbury 0 Braintree Town Reserves 5 - Essex Senior Cup, Round 3 - Chadfields

Braintree sent a strong team down the A12/A13 for this Essex Cup match and so Tilbury were booted out of the cup, but even on a dismal night they never gave up.

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!