We were recently informed that on Monday 18^th June there would be an item on Newham Council’s agenda regarding the Old Spotted Dog Ground and Clapton Football Club. This item was in the name of Kevin Blowe a member of the Clapton Ultras, who have made it their duty to spread mis-information and total fabrication of the facts surrounding The Old Spotted Dog, Clapton Football Club and myself.

We attended the meeting and listened to item 8 of the Newham Council’s agenda and was shocked at what Kevin Blowe was saying as it had no resemblance to the hard work we had carried out to save the ground when Andrew Barr and others left, when it was condemned, but have now returned saying the ground is in danger and must be saved.

There are still many people in the area who remember the environment and the experience they suffered when Michael Fogg, Andrew Barr and co were running the Old Spotted Dog Ground.

Due to us not replying to these allegations some have taken it for fact, but frankly there is no point in responding – it’s 5% fact and 95% fabrication, twisted to suit the Ultras’ story.

The Ultras use of the social media and the manner in which they spread false news is the most dangerous threat to clubs like ours.

Neither, Kevin Blowe or any member of the Ultras come to Clapton Football Club meetings, or any matter regarding the ground. Annually we have a “Clean up Clapton day” or “Paint the Tons Red” event. When we appealed to the community to come and help they were informed not to help. Now they are saying they want to save the Old Spotted Dog Ground!

Our main focus is on promoting Clapton – we wouldn’t have saved the ground and the club only to put it back into danger!

The Council’s response

The council’s new strategy is to involve residents more, by allowing questions which are responded to by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or officers.

Effectively, the Mayor said she wanted the Old Spotted Dog Ground to be a community resource with community involvement in its operation. Currently this is precisely what we have, with over 50% of the officers from the local area – some within 800m from the ground.  Regrettably, the officers and councilors are not aware of this and have accepted what Ultras like Kevin Blowe have said. Where is the evidence to substantiate the statements made to the council? No due diligence has been carried out prior to allowing these type of statements to be make publicly.

The option to respond to Kevin Blowe’s statement was not available, but when the meeting had finished a few of us went to introduce ourselves to the Mayor.

When I introduced myself, some looked a little surprised as it would appear that I didn’t fit the MO of “a 6ft 4in armed robber” that had has told to some people, including Clapton Ex-Chairman John Murray-Smith and the Charity Commission – the latter having to pay my legal costs and apologise to me after informing people that I had a criminal record when it was false.

Sadly, the fact is once you say a 6ft 4in black man has a criminal record it is accepted. That type of stereo typical view is partly what is driving this whole nasty saga.

We had a positive initial conversation with the Mayor and are awaiting a response to our initial discussion.

Vince McBean
Chief Executive