NCLT Accounts Are In - Striking Off Cancelled

The company that holds the 100 year lease on the Old Spotted Dog ground, the Newham Community Leisure Trust Limited, have finally filed accounts with Companies House and, as a result, the striking off action, threatened in January 2013, has been cancelled.

Lessons may have to be learned from this episode and, if necessary, steps taken to ensure that the proprietary interest and the responsibility of safeguarding this most famous of old football grounds, is placed into the hands of a more reliable and transparent entity.

Details of the accounts can be found on our website www.friendsofclaptonfc.org

Clapton FC Membership

With the advent of the New Year, it has given me a chance to reflect on 2012 as regards Clapton FC and think about what difference, if any, the establishment of the Supporters Group has made on the football club.

Although, as yet, nothing has changed that is so substantive that one can rest easy about the future for Clapton, there have been a number of issues which, if pursued, can bring about change for the better.

The first is that of membership of the club itself.  There is no doubt that the club itself must exist. For example, the liquor licence is in the name of the club.  Also, there are life members of the club, some of whom are also members of the Friends, who are still around, although not involved with the running of Clapton FC.

So the question is :- How does one become a member of the Clapton Football Club?

Some time ago I wrote to the club's Chief Executive, Mr Vincent McBean, asking how I can join the club.  I received neither acknowledgement or reply but am aware that this was discussed at a club meeting.

Just before Xmas 2012 I wrote, as Secretary of the Friends of Clapton FC, to the club's Chairman, Mr John Murray-Smith informing him about the group and how we aim to help the club.  I also asked how one can join Clapton FC.  I am awaiting a reply, hopefully with an application form and will keep this thread going so as to let you, dear reader, know of any progress.

To be part of the club, one must join the club. I am hopeful of being given that opportunity.

A copy of the letter sent to Mr Murray-Smith can be found here

Unfortunately a subsequent attempt to contact the chairman via the email address on the club's official web site was unsuccessful.

  JohnMurray-Smith@claptonfc.com

    SMTP error from remote mail server after RCPT TO:<JohnMurray-Smith@claptonfc.com>:

    host mail.claptonfc.com [173.254.28.13]: 550 No Such User Here"

Why We Would Like You To Join.

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 semi-professional 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. In the 1990s Clapton were sadly demoted to the Essex Senior League, a competition in which they compete today.

Throughout this time Clapton have played at the The Old Spotted Dog Ground in Forest Gate, London and had done so since 1878. This small enclosure, buried among residential housing, had hosted both cricket and football before Clapton became tenants in 1888. Clapton are synonymous with the 'Spotted Dog' 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. Those running the club do their best in difficult circumstances and are fighting to keep this great club alive.

The primary objectives of the Friends of Clapton FC is to help those who run, administer and play for the Tons. These objectives include it's continuance and well-being, the security of tenure at the Old Spotted Dog Ground and to promote Clapton FC's activities in an open and forthright manner so as to re-establish the club in the world of football as well as the local community. This will inlcude the careful consideration of where the club is going and to offer advice, help and support where necessary.

We believe that Clapton FC is a club deserving of support and who's 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 by clicking here

Please forward any questions or enquiries to info@friendsofclaptonfc.org

Clapton FC - Possibly Punch Drunk, But Still Standing

The proud history of Clapton FC is well chronicled and, with the growth of the internet it has become easier to access and research. 

However, the biggest mystery is this; how have Clapton FC continue to survive whilst remaining at its traditional home at the Old Spotted Dog Ground when so many other famous names have merged, moved on or ceased to exist?

Non league / amateur football in East London and Essex has been decimated for a number of reasons, primarily the misplaced ambitions of clubs, or individuals at those clubs, to climb football’s pyramid.  The club that now calls itself Dagenham and Redbridge is an amalgamation of four former Isthmian league clubs.  To get to the ‘heady heights’ of League Two, they sold three football grounds in prime developments sites and at the same time, destroyed a generation’s worth of football history and tradition.

So, how has Clapton managed to not succumb to this?  Through the years, many different people, from many different walks of life, have passed though the gates of the Old Spotted Dog and in some way have left an indelible mark on the club, the ground, and the history of Clapton.

The first group of people without who there would be no Clapton FC are the players.  After the war and into the 60s, the growth of ‘shamateurism’ was rife in most amateur leagues. Enfield, Wycombe Wanderers and Hendon were paying some serious money to players, whereas the likes of Corinthian Casuals, Dulwich Hamlet and Clapton remained Amateur.  Whilst it meant that the likes of Clapton, more often than not, occupied the lower berths of the League table, the camaraderie at those clubs was special.  Even now, one must always respect the wish to of a player to further a career or play at a higher standard of football and, in recent years, we have watched and been proud of the likes of Miguel De Souza, Tarkan Mustafa and Gary Charles enjoy marvellous careers in the professional game.

However, it would be unfair to pick out individual players for loyalty to the club.  Every player who has pulled on the famous red and white striped shirt of Clapton through the years, has played his part, purely for sport, and has done so in the best traditions of their predecessors, going back over 100 years.  This tradition continues today.  This equally applies to those who have managed the teams through the years.

Behind the scenes, the administrators, officials and supporters at the club have also played their part in keeping the Clapton name alive in football today.  This group includes some who have been members of the House of Lords and other, just local, ordinary folk.  All their contributions have been invaluable.  One example, and I will name him, was ‘Fred’ the deaf and dumb tea-man from the 1970s-90s. Clapton continues to exist because of the efforts and help from the likes of Fred.

At the moment, the Friends of Clapton FC are looking for people, like Fred, who will make a positive contribution to Clapton Football Club.   It is easy to criticise the club, the players, the management and those that have been part of the club over the years.  Despite the apparent errors, the failure to keep pace with the modern semi-professional football and the apparent decline in the club’s status, the Tons are still alive and kicking today, although probably not in the manner in which the club’s forefathers would approve.

However, if you want to make a positive contribution in helping Clapton FC to not only survive, but also thrive, in non-league football, then join the Friends of Clapton FC.  Our first intention is to re-establish a membership from which committee and officers can be democratically elected.  If this were to be achieved then the Tons can move forward.

Clapton FC may no longer the force they were in the 1920s and, let’s be honest, never will reach those heights again.  However, we don’t want to go the same way as the Avenue, Leyton, Leytonstone, Ilford, Romford, Grays, etc etc.

So, instead of criticising and bemoaning Clapton FC’s decline, this is a great opportunity to be part of its resurgence.

Find out more and join the Friends of Clapton FC here