The Clapton Ultras and others have recently published articles about Clapton Football Club, which includes a number of  misleading statements, that have been used to support their views about the club’s recent increase in match day prices and the searching of supporters at home matches. We would like to make clear the facts.

The first thing to say is that there is no football club in England that is allowed to let off pyros, fireworks, flares or anything of a similar nature. The club’s recent increased presence of SIA badged personnel is as a direct result of supporter behaviour.

The ground rules clearly state:

• All persons seeking entrance to the Ground acknowledge the Club’s right to search any person entering the Ground and to refuse entry to or eject from the Ground any person refusing to submit to such a search.

• The following articles must not be brought within the Ground – knives, fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, weapons, dangerous or hazardous items, laser devices, bottles, glass vessels, cans, poles and any article that might be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety. Any person in possession of such items will be refused entry to the Ground.

• Further, you may not bring into the Ground any sponsorship, promotional or marketing materials save in respect of official club merchandise and/or other football related clothing worn in good faith nor may you offer (either free or for sale by any person) any goods (including literature) of any nature without the express written approval of the Management.

However, we have always tried to be as relaxed as possible about the application of the rules at the same time as ensuring that the Club does not fall foul of the requirements set out by the various governing bodies under which we are bound.

We previously had to employ more SIA badge personnel to satisfy our obligations as a football club, particularly as the level of supporter behaviour had reached a level whereby we were under heavy scrutiny and were receiving increasingly hefty fines of £250 plus for each sanction. Further, we were also called to a meeting at Scotland Yard to discuss the situation, which is a reflection of just how serious things had become. The police, who were very supportive about the situation, did, however, make it clear that unless we were able to take control, then they would need to do this on our behalf, which would undoubtedly result in substantial costs.

Since that time, having worked hard with members of the core supporter groups and the governing bodies we recently  had moved to a point where we felt more relaxed about the general supporter behaviour. The various requests to stop had by and large been followed by the majority of the fans and with that we felt that we could reduce the number of SIA badged personnel and stewards.

However, there are supporters that continue to let off flares, pyros etc,  sell merchandise and bring alcohol in to the grounds. The situation came to a head recently. The evidence speaks for itself with this photo below that was taken at the match against Barkingside FC  on 12 November and posted on social media. It is this same photo that has been picked up by our football governing bodies and for which we were required to present a response, with sanctions potentially likely to follow – we had to respond to questions around the measures that were in place and what will be in place to address the rules, health and safety issues that we are now facing.

As a result of the continued flouting of the rules by a few, Clapton Football Club has no other option than to impose the rules more consistently and stringently with an increased presence of SIA badge personnel – unfortunately all supporters are now being subjected to being searched on entry as a result of the behaviour of a few.

Price Increases

For a number of years Clapton has lost players due to other clubs offering players financial inducements. Ways of how to address this was discussed with the previous manager and the process was started to look at ways to change this. The idea put forward then was to add £1.00 on the ticket and that £1.00 would be for the players. Jon Fowell, the new manager, has reiterated the same and also discussed some of the things that we would need for promotion. These changes will require additional expenditure on fitness and further training of players.

We also took the step, previously agreed with the fans, that we would reduce the price of drinks available at the bar to £2.50 from £3.00 on the basis that there would be more people purchasing drinks, enabling us to utilise the income to help with the additional costs. However, we reduced the drinks and the majority of fans still do not use the bar.

After careful consideration and to support the discussions with the manager, the club has now increased its match day prices by £1.00 for adults and concessionary tickets, with the new prices now at £7.00 and £4.00 respectively. The price for under 16s remain the same at £1.00 and all under 5s are free. The new prices are well within the guidelines set out by the League and FA. We are disappointed that some fans have reacted negatively. However, this action has been taken to support players and the additional £1.00 will go directly towards their expenses.

We have been offering Annual Season Tickets for a couple of seasons now, but has also introduced reduced admission for annual and half season tickets – supporters can benefit from 10 matches for the price of 8. The ability to save queuing on match days by purchasing online tickets is also available.

To clarify the details published about the Club’s income does not reflect the true picture or the costs associated with running the club – In relation to ticket sales, the fact is that less than half of all supporters pay the adult match day price (a number of free entry tickets are given every match and a few more too with some jumping the fence!). Further, on average it costs in the region of £800 to host an Essex Senior League Match.

Youth Teams

Clapton Football Club is committed to making football available to people of all ages and has, over the years supported teams from the age of 5 upwards. In recently years, we had teams in Reserves, Under 18s  and 2 under 15s. With these additional teams there is an increased pressure on resources. Each team cost £6k upwards to run. In spite of the success achieved by some of the youth teams, the lack of commitment to pay subscriptions meant that the club had to fully finance these additional teams. Further some parents didn’t want to take their sons to matches and this was left to the football management. The Club, therefore, has now taken the decision to focus its energies and resources on the senior team, with a view to getting promotion in the near future. In future, we may consider the reintroduction of youth teams as long as the resources are available to sustain them.

Moving Forward

Overall, the relaxed approach we have had at Clapton will have to change as the club moves forward (we have made an application for promotion) and particularly where certain individuals and supporters feel they are not accountable to anyone by continuing to let of flares, running onto the pitch, bringing alcohol into the ground, selling items and other activities that are divisive, result in sanctions and brings the Club into disrepute.

We have held some very productive and positive meetings with supporters. We have also agreed to several meetings at the request of certain fans only to see no one turn up – instead receiving written demands of what they want. We believe the stance of supporting the team and not the Club will always limit Clapton’s progress. However, more involvement with the club is not possible whilst some of the destructive behaviour and held views are maintained. For example, choosing to protest by not watching the last home match (although many tried to do so from the fence) is one thing, but paying people the ticket price to get them not go into the match is something completely different!

In conclusion, the board, management and players have ambitions to move the club forward. We see both the sponsors of the club and the supporters as an integral part of the plan, but we need to be unified in our approach.

 

Vincent McBean
Chief Executive