The Return of Amateur Hour ?

For those of you who listen to the Non League Show on Radio 5Live, you may have heard and an article in which people said that they felt offended by the term ‘non-league’.  It was suggested that this term should be replaced by the phrase ‘semi-professional’.

Back in 1974 the FA decided to make everyone ‘players’. Since then, the ‘non-league’ community appear to adopt whatever label suits their purpose best eg.part-timers, minnows (for FA Cup purposes) or even occasionally re-vamping the term ‘amateurs’.

But it is no longer an FA Cup surprise when a non league team eliminates another from the lower divisions of the Football League, because, increasingly, the non league outfit are as almost, if not, as well paid as their supposed ‘betters’.

One solution might be to return to the distinction between full time professional, semi-pro and amateur players.

In my view the FA Trophy should be the prize for semi-pro teams, whether they pay £10 a game or have players on contract.  There is no difference, the players are all copping money out of the game and are ‘professional footballers’, though in many non-league cases, on a part time basis. (semi-pro)

The Vase should be the competition for the small clubs, the amateur clubs, of which there are many in and around the country.  Clubs for whom players play without sticking their hand out for money.  It’s been a long time since a team without a ‘wage structure’ has won the FA Vase and, unfortunately has become the competition for the semi-pro clubs who wish to continue to pay players but can’t pay enough to do well in the Trophy.

If the FA cannot spare the Vase for amateur clubs, then they should consider resurrecting the FA Amateur Cup. "A return to shamateursim" I hear you say. It doesn't have to be that way. All it needs is proper governance from the powers that be, but that might be asking too much.

Sadly, ‘Amateur’ is sometimes seen as an old fashioned, even derogatory term but not in my book.  To my mind, a return and recognition of this code within ‘non-league football’ would not only be refreshing in a sporting sense but would also recognise those who are the ‘real minnows’. 

By the same example, those who are happy to ‘imitate’ the professional ranks and are earning money from their talent or otherwise, in addition to their daily work, are welcome to the term, ‘semi-pro’.

Finally, there is regular reference on the programme that if a club comes into money they can ‘extend the budget and get better players in’.  Since 1974 one can make a list of clubs and grounds that have been lost through financial mismanagement which has included paying ridiculous wages to players in the pursuit of silverware.  For example, trophies may have been won at Leytonstone Ilford / Redbridge Forest but that’s all now forgotten, and the football grounds at Lynn Road, Granleigh Road and Green Pond Road, which were all sold and financed these teams, are all now housing estates.  At the same time, East London lost three senior football clubs.

The boom and bust scenario for clubs chasing success on the field  is a regular occurrence in non league football and whilst one eventually reform and call your club AFC “this or that”, I am sure it can never be the same.

This is the reason why I fully support the efforts of the Clapton supporters in wresting control of the club from Mr Vince McBean and returning it to the members.  But they need act before it’s too late.  So come on real Clapton FC, jump to it before he sells the club and the lease ! (He’s tried to do that already, even though he doesn’t own either).

The non league show is on at some unearthly hour on Sunday mornings so, those of us with a tender disposition, tend to listen to it or download it from the BBC website as a podcast during the week. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01m5gsx.  It’s a great show and the contributors do a great job, so thanks to them.

LEW LISTZ
30th October 2014

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Back to Clapton stuff in my next missive. Just had to get this off my chest.

We're Out Of Control !

Can’t quite make out what’s going on at my beloved Clapton at the moment. The fans continue to get great reviews for their unbelievable support, even in defeat, and their profile seems to be going from strength to strength. The team have played their part, and are deservedly handily placed at the top end despite a few patchy performances of late.

 

My worry is off the pitch where the only word to describe the farce is ‘shambles’.  The ‘Official’ website seems to have stopped working in keeping with past years, and statements on the current situation seem to be few and far between.  Surely we require some meat to the bones for those asking “what the hell is going on?” The current Management, whoever they are at the moment (it is, genuinely, that confusing) do not seem to use any vehicle of communication beyond the odd ‘Official Tweet’ to convey things to a very interested public which is the Clapton fan base, and beyond.

 

I have seen no articles, or interviews regarding their views, despite Clapton having press coverage nationally that Conference Clubs would envy. A little naivety here I think.  At times the ’Regime’ have spoken, but it didn’t make palatable reading and certainly was not well thought out. Twice a plethora of ill-conceived tweets have been on public view and then hastily deleted. To me it’s not that hard to state clearly what you want to convey and have the courage of your convictions against any counter views.  Don’t be afraid to have an opinion even if it’s not the most popular. Even ‘Official’ comments regarding the fans have not been thought through with any depth.  They have been out of touch with general opinion and failed to paint ‘The Club’ in a positive light.

 

To be fair to the previous season’s management they always followed this mantra. I remember them explaining why they started the season with one up front and the rest being ‘defenders’ (i.e. 10 men behind the ball).  It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t a style of football that particularly appealed to me, but (and it’s a big but ) they were willing to communicate the reasons to the fans both in written articles and in verbal interaction.  They were also approachable and human and that went a long way towards building up the close bond that exists to this day. It’s no secret who the fans want as their Managerial Duo.  Only yesterday I saw that an image of 'their flag' was tweeted yet again indicating that current Management will always struggle in any popularity contest.

 

Even so, the current ‘regime’ can help themselves but refuse to do so. They can talk for themselves, they can defend their actions and opinions, they are doing well in the league so they do have a good starting point. Where they clearly haven’t helped themselves is the 'revolving door' leading to the dug out which now seems to be spinning crazily, and at such an alarming rate, it must be another Health and Safety concern for Newham Community Leisure.

However, credit is due to the players because it can’t be easy without any continuity whatsoever.  The Lads have done well, but I sense in the body language that deep down it’s a far from happy ship. The first team manager seems to be the only common denominator of the season so far but it would appear, due to his relative inexperience a this level, that he has little in the way of contacts or friends within the game to bring stability behind the scenes.  I’ve heard it described as the ‘Johnny no mates’ scenario (harsh), but  judging by the unbelievable turnaround of Joint managers/assistants we have had this season, it might be an unfortunate truth.

I am also reminded of Woodsy's comments about how his leaving the club transpired.  It's clear that a number of good ‘football people’ have been allowed to go, even this season.

I am sure that relationships in football are seldom easy but by no means impossible to get right with compromise, which can often be at the expense of one's ego.  As a supporter, and wanting the best for my club, is it totally impossible for last season's managerial team to be invited back to steady the ship for Mike?  It would prove a very popular move with the fans and, dare I say it, lift the morale of the players.

I say this because people do return to clubs, and only this week, assisting Mike in the dugout was Godfrey Obobe, who was coaching at Clapton for the first few weeks of last season.  Godfrey's coaching contribution last season was reputedly legend (in a laughable, rather than laudable sense) and his return, if considered purely on a football issue, is certainly more implausible than that of Woodsy and Neil.

However, it might be that Mike is not yet his own man as first team manager and Godfrey has been parachuted in by Vince once again. If that's the case, then expect more uncertainty, as it was Vince who imposed Godfrey on the previous management.  Godfrey may eventually prove to be the 'man in the wings'.

Despite all this, optimism remains for a better future once the wheel of fortune finally turns in a direction which will benefit the whole club, it's supporters and members.  Whether any of the current or subsequent team management will be there to witness it is probably up for continued debate.

 

For now I'm countin’ on the miracle to come through and I'm confident it will.

Yours in ‘Real’ Football

LEW LISTZ
24th October 2014
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The Be All And End All ?

I thought I’d look through a few old Clapton programmes of mine and I found two home matches from the 1968/69 season in which the visitors to the Dog were Enfield FC and Hendon FC.

The Enfield match was one of the first games of the season, taking place on Saturday 24th August.  Hopes were clearly high in the Clapton camp and here is talk in the programme notes of the Clapton’s intention to prove that they should force to be reckoned with at the Dog.  The Clapton side were not a bad side at all and included Bill McConnell in goal, the loyal Colin Watson at number six and the omnipresent Ken Pope at ‘right half’. (look that up if you are under 50)

However, looking across the page, the Enfield side were a virtual who’s who of amateur football of the day.  From Ian Wolstenholme between the sticks, to Roger Day, Joe Adams, Jimmy Quail, Phil Fry and the late John Payne.  All were all of the highest calibre of player in the Isthmian League.  In centre half, Alf D’Arcy, Enfield had probably the best Isthmian League player I have ever seen.  The E’s were then managed by former England Amateur International forward Tommy Lawrence.  They were, to use a modern London phrase ‘the Dogs’.

It is therefore little surprise therefore that the Tons were beaten 6-0 and I can recall leaving the ground thinking that I had seen a very good team in Enfield who were too strong for my favourites, but I had been royally entertained nonetheless.  For the record, this Enfield side repeated a 6-0 score line on their travels at Woking and then rattled in eight without replay at Dulwich Hamlet.  Unsurprisingly, Enfield finished the season as Champions.

Three months later on Saturday 2^nd November the visitors to the Spotted Dog were Hendon FC.  The Tons were represented by a largely similar line up. Tommy Mahon had been drafted in and John Chivers continued to lead the line, supported by Alan Harris who was an opportunist goal scorer.

The Hendon team was, again, a formidable group.  England Amateur International goalkeeper John Swannell was arguably the best guardian of the day, David Hogwood, at full back, was another fine player, and at wing half, Rod Haider was only in his second season with the club.  Haider went on to play nearly 700 times for the Greens and remains the most capped England Amateur International, a record that can never be broken.  He further became synonymous with Hendon when he memorably scored their goal in an FA Cup 3^rd round tie tie at Newcastle in the 1970s.

The game at the Dog proved to a lot less one-sided as was the Enfield affair and despite Haider opening the scoring in the first half, the Tons fought back through to lead 2-1 through two goals from Chris Ballard.  Haider then popped up again to level the scores at two each.  However, this Clapton team, under the management of Eddie Lewis, were a battling brood and the Jimmy Dormer’s winner sent the Clapton contingent home with a smile on their faces.  Once again they had been royally entertained, only, on this occasion, the result had been more pleasurable.

Finally, a quick look at the front of the programme lists the names of the Clapton club officers of the day.  Mr Jack Haynes, a former Clapton player of many years was now Hon Secretary and Bill Tingle the Chairman.  These were real, honourable, Clapton men.

So, what’s the significance of the above, save for a wander down memory lane?

In a recent ‘twitter exchange’ initiated by my Night of the Long Knives article, I was reminded by a chap of the results this season and the apparent success of the team on the pitch.  ‘What is more important is that Clapton are 2nd in the table, their best achievement on 15 seasons".  That is one way of looking at a club's success or achievement, but in my view, results are secondary.

I agree that so far this season the results have been good and I have invariably left the ground smiling, but not solely because of a Clapton victory on the pitch.  The recent match at Welwyn Garden City has shown that, despite a negative result or performance, real football people have give best when beaten and enjoy the game for the sport.

In the media, professional managers repeat a diatribe now mimicked by managers and coaches even at non league / amateur level; “The result is everything” and “it’s all about getting the points”.  Is it really?  Supporters of dissolved clubs such as Leyton, Rushden and Diamonds, Maidstone United might argue otherwise and let's face it, most players and managers move on, supporters tend to stay.

If results are to be the barometer of success, it is a little like extolling the virtues of a shack that has a front door that bought from Voysey and Jones.  The front door looks good, but if you open it and look inside, the place is a shambles and unfit for habitation.

In 1968/69 Clapton finished 15^th in the Isthmian League and were playing at a standard vastly superior to that of the Essex Senior League today.  There were good and bad results during the season which included a 5-0 win at Ilford and a 5-1 drubbing by the aforesaid Maidstone United (RIP) at the Dog.

The 'front door' at Clapton FC in 1968 may not have been bespoke, but the quality of the structure was of the finest quality, and the calibre of those maintaining it, Messrs Tingle, Haynes and Co, unblemished.  Results are certainly not everything.

The Enfield club that achieved that excellent 6-0 result against Clapton in August 1968 went into liquidation in 2007.  Hendon FC, whilst still in the Isthmian League, are no longer playing at their famous old ground at Claremont Road and have been ground sharing since 2008.

LEW LISTZ
17th October 2014
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The Night Of The Long Knives !

What a week !

I fortunately managed to shrug off the flu virus and take the Ultras Express to Welwyn last Saturday.  Although I was on the same locomotive as much of that merry band, I stayed incognito as befits my ‘Clapton man of mystery’ tag. The train journey was followed by a long schlep to the ground but what a nice place to watch a game of football.  It was nice to get back to Hertfordshire where we used to play in our Isthmian days.

Well the game was something of an anti-climax for the Clapton following.  A mysterious team selection left Ninja (who has goals in them-there speedy boots) and James Briggs on the bench. Didn’t understand that at all.  Fahid has certainly living up to the lyrics of that old 90s classic ‘Street Tough’ by Rebel MC. “Rough like a Ninja, Stinging Like a Bee” Unfortunately he was not given the chance to ‘shake his stuff’ at Welwyn and we paid for it.  Likewise, the regular omissions of Briggsy from the first XI team sheet has been a mystery to me for much of the season.  OK, James is not Twiggy but he is one of the best players at the club at holding the ball and spraying decent passes around..  As for those free kicks, I haven’t seen anyone do that at the Dog since Mark Stone in the 80s.  He is Clapton’s Jan Molby, minus the Danish scouse accent.  Jan had a song too. “He’s fat, he’s round, he owes me thirty pound.”  However, I digress.

So, after a pretty disappointing display by the team I was delighted to see the Clapton Ultras / Scaffold Brigade etc behave in such a credible fashion. Real sportsmen and women act honourably, even in defeat, and the conduct of our following would have made any of the Clapton greats of the past - Messrs Hornsey, Parkinson and Huband, extremely proud.  Well done everyone.

Fast forward to Tuesday and I was surprised to read that one of the co-managers Kevin Lucas had left the club along with the little grey haired fellow, Stuart Purcell the physio.   I was beginning to like Stuart, despite his tendency to dance around, during the post match celebrations, like a Dad at a disco.

However, I admit to having seen this coming.  When Marc Nurse went to Southend, we were left with Michael Walther who is obviously an inexperienced manager and who was destined to manage a senior team for the first time on his own.  I suspect this is why Vincent brought in Kevin Lucas as co-manager.  Kevin was an experienced manager and he has certainly not been my favourite opposing boss over the years, not least because he invariably did well against us.  But it became quickly apparent that these two were not going to be ‘Clough and Taylor’ or ‘Mercer and Allison’.

It has to be said that our tactics have been, let’s say, unadventurous for much of the season, (even before Kevin’ appointment).  The ‘departure’ of Kevin following Saturday’s defeat smacks of the co-managers blaming each other, and one, or other, running to Vince to moan about it.  That’s not co-managership in any shape or form.

It’s a bit reminiscent of what happened to Woodsy, but on that occasion, Marc Nurse appeared to get most of the blame for the Chris'. Perhaps Michael Walther is learning fast?

The problem for me is that Michael is beginning to emerge as Vince’s poodle as much as Marc ever was.  I think Kevin may have been a little too old school and unlikely to be taken in by the usual bull that comes out of the ‘club’ whereas, Michael is ambitious.  So, is Michael a McBean-ite? For me, certainly until I see any evidence to the contrary, he can celebrate in front of the fans with the team (most of whom are Woodsy’s players), as much as he likes because, last night at Ilford, it crossed my mind that his credentials as a real Clapton man who, when things are going wrong goes ‘running off to teacher’, are certainly up for debate, no matter what the results.

Et tu Brute?

LEW LISTZ
9th October 2014
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Influenza Clapton !

There can be no better tonic for illness than to learn of a Clapton victory and last night's success over Southend Manor was particularly sweet, not least for the fact that the game saw the return of Marc Nurse as coach of the visitors. I have no doubt he was given the appropriate welcome by the Ultras and even I, mild mannered Lew, would have undoubtedly joined in with a chorus of boos and hisses during the evening had I been well enough to attend.  I actually thought assumed that there had been a grammatical error on the CFC website after he had left and he had taken the post of Coach Driver.  He certainly has the go-karting credentials.

Last night also saw the last match for Andy Croft before his knee operation. I wish him all the best and a speedy, successful recovery. He will certainly be missed in the Scaffold. Not everyone may know but Andy lives in Kent and is one of an increasing number of people that are coming from outside the Borough to sample the unique atmosphere that the Clapton supporters have generated at the ground. Andy, once a ground hopper, is now a fully fledged Claptonite.  Our task, if we are to be a real community club, is to try to get more people involved and feel part of the place.  We should also look increasingly towards our local community.

Next Saturday it's the FA Vase tie at Welwyn Garden City and, by looking at their 100% record in the league so far this season, I expect that a very hard and competitive match will ensue. I am determined to get to the game and am also delighted to see that Ian Simpson, son of Bert Simpson, a member of the original Clapton Supporters Club in the 1930s, will be in attendance as well. If you don't know Ian, he will probably be wearing his trademark floppy hat. He was brought up a Clapton supporter as a kid and now, even as a grandad, is still committed to the Tons and comes to games whenever he can from his home in Norfolk. The lesson here is to attract and maintain young support so as to guarantee a continuance of interest in our club for future years.

So all my efforts are to 'get well soon' and get to Saturday's game. However, during my period of incapacity I have been doing some research and I have found a very interesting reference to the Clapton nickname which I will share with you, probably in my next missive.

Well done everyone. (team and supporters) You are making one snot-ridden old man very happy.


LEW LISTZ
1st October 2014
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