Clapton FC News, a group of individuals who are members of Clapton Ultras, have and continue to state that Clapton Football Club is refusing to comment on any story that they wish to publish.

To clarify, it was only until the club published the following email to Clapton FC News (and shown below), stating publicly that we would not be responding directly to Clapton FC News as they refuse to make themselves known, that we started to receive requests for comment. Up until that time, our views were never sought and through the anonymity of a WordPress.com website, individuals under the name of Clapton FC News, write articles that, in other circumstances, would more than likely result in legal action.

First published on Clapton FC website on 11 November 2017:

After discussion with the Clapton Football Club Committee, it has been decided that Clapton FC will not be responding directly to Clapton FC News on any issues relating to the club at this time. The main reason for this is that, since it has been established, Clapton FC News has never approached the club, the main subject of its news stories, to obtain the views of Clapton Football Club, before publishing any articles that relate to the club, it’s management or its running.

When we asked you, we were told, you are a collective of 8 people with no editor. Instead we are expected to communicate to claptonfcnew@gmail.com, which means in effect, you have free reign to write what you like, when you like, how you like, with no accountability.  We will not be supporting that form of journalism.

Even the article you posted on your website and social media today is designed to sensationalise the situation. The heading alone says we “…declined  to answer ”. We have never declined to answer questions. However, you want to control when and how we do this.

As mentioned previously, the club is currently having to deal with a lot of issues caused as a result of certain individuals’ actions at away matches, from letters to the local authority, health and safety executive, to neighbouring houses to the OSD, to away fans, to players … the list goes on. This is energy that is taking us away from the important matter at hand, which is playing football and moving the club forward.

Once we have resolved all of the issues that are demanding our time away from football, then any communication that Clapton Football Club feels need to be put out, will be done via its website through Tons Make Clear.

To reiterate the club’s position – we will not be responding directly to Clapton FC News on any issues relating to the club, its members, officers, players or its activities.  Further, we will not be responding to any individual or body that is not prepared to make themselves known. Clapton FC News refuses to do that thereby putting themselves in a position of not being accountable. This means that whatever they choose to write cannot be challenged, beyond sending emails to a gmail account, which anyone can set up!

We have been criticised by real supporters saying that we are not giving our side of things that are being put out on the internet by the Clapton Ultras,  Clapton FC News and others; individuals and groups intent on pursuing a witch hunt to take over the club.  As stated before, we do not have the energy or the inclination to continually refute the lies and twisted facts that are being put out. Instead, we are now getting prepared for the coming months and the start of the  2018-19 season. This is where our energies are focused!

As appropriate, any comments from the club will continue to be be made through “Tons Make Clear” on our website.