What a time we’ve had in 2019! However, as time goes on, the manifestation of the truth becomes more apparent.

As you may be aware Vince McBean, Chief Executive, is currently suspended from all footballing activities, after the FA received third party correspondence and wanted to interview him again about his involvement in Clapton FC 20 years ago.

More concerning is the fact that the FA having carried out two previous investigations (with the same people kick-starting the action as a result of their correspondence), which resulted in no issues found, no penalties or sanctions against the club. This seems to have been ignored.

This latest 3rd party correspondence was also supported by a letter written by Lyn Brown MP, who having never been involved in the club, never spoken to anyone at the club, never attended a match, never spoken to the league or anyone else involved with Clapton Football Club, other than the Ultras, (the so-called supporters), wrote this letter. Almost everything in the letter has been the same picture that Andrew Barr, Clapton Ultras and Clapton FC news have spent much time publishing as fact. Astonishingly, when challenged to provide the evidence to support her letter, Lyn Brown, stated that she was awaiting that evidence from those bodies that she had sent the letter to.

Interestingly, no record of the previous investigations can be found at the FA (allegedly)! More disconcerting is the recent hearing held by the FA, which was supposed to be confidential, according to their correspondence, has been plastered all over the internet – how is that? When asked, apparently they pretty much said that they are free to publish whatever they like.

We have also had the Old Spotted Ground awarded to the Ultras and Clapton Community Football Club under a tenancy agreement.

As many of you are aware, there were groups that went to great lengths to make sure the public was told that Vince McBean was trying to sell the ground, and indeed, posted stickers around the ground and east London to that effect. However, they were fully aware that Newham Community Leisure only had a lease agreement with the owners of the ground and a licence agreement with Clapton (because they had written to the landlords on several occasions). However, many people have made donations (of about £10k) to support a cause, which was non-existent and whoever took your money did so under false pretences.

No doubt, Clapton FC News and other Ultra based blogs, will now quickly continue to flood the web and social media with their versions!

Clapton Football Club is now playing its home matches at Southend Manor’s Ground. This has tested the resolve of the management, players and you the supporters. We do understand and appreciate that many of you have contacted us about the distances, as it not around the corner. We all know and appreciate your commitment, financially and personally to Clapton Football Club and after 20 years, with all that is thrown at us, we continue. Thank you for your ongoing support through all of this.

With or without your presence at our matches, we feel your passion – even those who have only come to one or two of our matches. The eleventh man is a precious commodity and we thank you for providing your support.

To the person who wrote an anonymous and passionate letter in support, your advice is well received and we will act on it. We could all be angry about the ill-treatment, lies and the actions of others, but that will not stop us continuing as Clapton Football Club, the entity with over 100 years of footballing history.

All of what has been happening has also impacted the management and players. That said, the current management and players are working hard to stabilise the club – the commitment shown has been humbling even with the continuing harassment from those trying to destroy the club.

We are looking forward to a brighter 2020. In the meantime, the Tons will be playing today (Saturday 28 December, 2019) at the Arena Stadium, in our home match against Sawbridgeworth Town FC  at 3.00pm. We hope to see some of you there supporting the team. 

Here’s to a better and positive 2020!