Clapton players embrace the crowd at the end of the game with Ilford (pic; George Phillipou/TGSPHOTO). Source: Newham Recorder

Saturday 10 October 2015, will go down as another milestone in the journey of Clapton Football Club’s development. The pitch was prepared the day before and by 10pm the night before, the facility was ready for the upcoming Non League Day and the Tons local derby challenge against Ilford FC.

Prior to the match, a whole series of communication had been sent out with the aim of breaking the thousand supporter’s barrier and to make this “Non League Day” one to remember. Concessions were given to children U18, senior citizens, refugees, unemployed  – even the beer was reduced to ‘buy one get one half price’.

The only sore point of the day was  that someone had reported the club to the local authority saying we were selling beef burgers and sausages without a licence. The local authority came and inspected our facility just prior to the start of the match (the eighth third party complaint against us this year!!). Whoever it was, you’ll be probably displeased to know that we do have a licence, and you’ll be seeing plenty more beef burgers and sausages sold at the Old Spotted Dog in future.

Nothing was going to spoil our day! Some groups even prepared things to sell for the occasion, and, whilst it may be with good intention,our Ground Rules are clear – permission must be obtained first. That said, we are happy  to back anything that supports Clapton Football Club and the management positively.

Some of the old time Clapton supporters started to arrive just after 2pm and remenise  about the club and how we used to have wooden stands all along where the scaffold stand is now.

It was at about that time that the television company’s presenters started their interviews. The other newspapers followed suit. The players came out to start warming up.  The sun wasn’t shining too brightly but the pitch looked good.

The first few spectators started to arrive at 2.15pm and commented about how good the ground looked. Our sponsors were there giving out promotional material, and preparing for the raffle later on.

At 2.45 pm, a small queue stared to form at number one turnstile, as more and more people came. After a while, we opened up number two turnstile. That had little effect!  People were coming from all quarters and taking advantage of the Non League offers that were available. The queue now was opposite the post office on the main road, 80 yards away.  At 3.20pm, the queue was till outside the front gate!  The head count was up to 700 spectators.

I was very pleased to see the number of young people coming in with their parents – some commented on  how warm and friendly the club was and that we should look at provisions for the toddlers like a swing or slide. They offered to provide us with the details on how it can work. Others came in with their flags and drums. The spectators started to sing the Clapton anthem and the array of their versions to songs! Although not X factor material, they could certainly enter the “Spectator uniqueness competition”.

At 3.25pm, there were  746 people. Within ten minutes another 14 had entered. By half time, the number of spectators was 761 in the OldSpotted Dog Stadium ((there was actually more than this, but we didn’t count those that came in after half time!).
This Non League Day was made special by the dedication and commitment of; our main sponsors Club 72 and Alternative London, The Clapton Ultras who worked hard in promoting the day, the clubs officers and all the unsung helpers and volunteers.

The day was billed as the local derby between two local footballing teams, both with proud traditions where no quarters would be given or asked. The form book suggested that Clapton was the informed team and would shade the match but Ilford had other ideas and indeed was the early leader and although the match finished 3-3, bragging rights will have to wait until our next encounter.

The day was a fantastic promotion of Non League football and community clubs.

We hope you all enjoyed yourselves here at the Old Spotted Dog Stadium and will come and join us again at our warm and friendly club. I was humbled by the positive and encouraging comments made about the club also of  people’s knowledge of what was happening as well as the support for Clapton Football Club – it was truly great to hear and I would like to personally thank you for that.

Vincent McBean
Chief Executive