Reality Check

Over the past eleven days I have seen Clapton lose four matches in succession and, speaking to few people at yesterday's game, there appears to be some mild despondency and frustration as to the way things are going on the pitch.  That is in stark contrast to the near euphoria in the early weeks of the season, the amusing internet talk of promotion and getting the Dog ready for Isthmian League football.  That all seems a long time ago now. But, in my view, our recent results are not surprising, and our position in the League table accurately reflects our level.

We made a good start to the season, beating teams home and away which took us to second in the table at one stage.  However, if one looks at the teams we had beaten, not one of them are above us in the table this morning.  We are ninth.  Of the eight clubs above us, we have played them all, with the exception of Bowers and Pitsea.  We have not won any of those games, but drew 3 and lost four.  Also, when we were put up against decent standard opposition in the cup competitions, Ipswich Wanderers and Stanway Rovers, we came a predictable second best.

I have already discussed the recent losses to the playing squad and the apparent 'tinkering' of the line ups and substitutions.  The fact that we have now used at least five goalkeepers so far this season is also indicative of an unsteady ship. In my day, you could usually predict the team line up for the following week because the majority of players would be working nine til five, Monday to Friday.  In 2015, the weekend is now seen as part of the normal working week and, I am sure, this can frequently result in players being unavailable to play due to such commitments.  I believe stability is the key and the chopping and changing of recent weeks, in my view, has not helped.

Nonetheless, despite yesterday's result, I was delighted to see that the Scaffold was 'rocking' and most of a good sized crowd seemed to enjoy the match.  This, ladies and gents, is what it is all about.  During my time as a Tons follower, I have seen Clapton teams hammered, home and away,  but I have  always looked forward to the next game, as I am, for Saturday's trip to Stansted. Well done to you all, and up the Tons!

Another concern is the recent absence of the 'one sheet programme' that was being sold outside the ground up until a couple of games ago.  I used to find that a decent read and much superior to Vince's effort, (when he bothers to produce one).  However, on my walk around the ground, I was told that the reason might be that there are 'legal machinations' going on behind the scenes as regards Vince McBean's apparent ownership of the club.  If that's the case, then good on them, and lets get that issue resolved as soon as possible so we can enjoy the rest of the season with realistic expectations.

Finally, I have seen Vince's advert for a Club Match Secretary on his website. Anyone seriously thinking of applying for this needs to seek help.  The fact that they will be working with one of the most dubious characters in non league football and, with legal stuff apparently on its way, you might end up liable for any debts that he/the club has.

N.B.    Vince is not known to hang around once the legal stuff starts to bite.

Wenger, Cafu or Collina ? Not in the ESL

It's Pie and Mash for me at Kelly's on the Roman Road tonight and then I'm off to Mile End for Clapton's Essex Senior League game against Tower Hamlets.  Obviously I am hopeful of our lads getting the three points but, its a local derby, there will be the inevitable edge to it, and one can anticipate a hard fought encounter.

Despite the disappointing result, last Wednesday's match at Wadham Lodge was an interesting and entertaining evening.  The Neil Day connection was the initial focal point but I am pleased to say that, despite the personal issues, everyone contributed to a great atmosphere.

By everyone, I mean everyone.  Yes, even the referee, Mr Markwick.  Whilst I understand the frustrations of many of the Clapton players, management and supporters at having to suffer two dodgy penalty decisions that won the match for our hosts, the chap with the whistle gave no less than his best, as is the case with all the match officials that take the middle or run the line at our level of football.

As supporters of football at this level we should be used to lowering our expectations of what to reasonably expect on a Saturday afternoon.  For example, it is unreasonable to expect Mike Walther to have the tactical 'know how' of Arsene Wenger, or for Peter Moore to make Cafu look like a carthorse.  Likewise, Mr Markwick is no Pierluigi Collina and he cannot reasonably be expected to turn in an entirely faultless performance.  The common thread is that these folks are giving of their best and providing a lot of fun for us all.

Despite perceived daft substitutions, wayward clearances or dodgy penalty awards, the entertainment is no less enjoyable, and the atmosphere generated on an afternoon/evening by the Clapton Ultras, pyro or no pyro, far exceeds that served up at many grounds at higher levels of the game.

Finally, there were few better sights in football than what I saw on Wednesday night when, having seen their side defeated in frustrating circumstances, the Clapton Ultras saluted both teams with songs, flags and genuine appreciation for a good match.  Having read the interview with old Clapton fan Ian Simpson in Red Menace, I have no doubt that he, and Bert, his Dad, would have been very proud as to the fine sportsmanship shown by our supporters at the end.  It was real Clapton (sic)

It is therefore a shame that the Essex Senior League appear to be doing their best to dampen that enthusiasm by the implementation of new rules and fines over the 'pyro' issue but that subject is for another blog post.

Play up Clapton !

Quentin and Quitting

After a short lull, through a postponement and a 'free week', the fixtures should now come thick and fast, (weather permitting) and the elements certainly played its part in yesterday's game against Newham.  I enjoyed a decent game of football played by two honest sides and a fair result.  However, I felt that our lads were not firing on all cylinders, possibly because of the wet conditions, or the fact that during the past few days there had been some Clapton team issues that might have put things out of kilter.  Nonetheless, well played one and all, and well done to the visitors for their part in derby game where they also had to overcome the fantastic home support from the scaffold stand.

Quentin Monville's departure to Billericay is a shame for the team and the fans, but one has to be pleased for the player and I was delighted to read various 'good luck' messages to him from supporters. I am particularly delighted for him as, a move to the Ryman League Premier is a genuine step up in level, as opposed to players leaving the club to play, at the same level as us, for the sake of a few bob in a brown envelope. "Well done Topsy", as I used to call him due to his 'Bun' hairstyle.

I was disappointed to learn that our London Senior Cup tie with VCD had been postponed due to their withdrawal from the competition.  It was not so much for our missing a trip south of the river, but more about in what light this leaves a competition that used to be regarded as the second most important, next to the Amateur Cup.  There has been no official reason given and one of the theories is that relates to the cost of staging the fixture (engaging security etc).

One would assume that a Ryman Premier League club, such as VCD, would have had sufficient experience and the ability to organise any such fixture.  Their ground would undoubtedly be of a standard to do so.  Yet they chose to withdraw.  So what would have happened if they had been fortunate enough to progress and get a home draw against Football League club in the first round proper of the FA Cup?  Despite the expense of extra security, I am sure they would have made every effort to ensure the fixture went ahead. They could, alternatively, have played the game at a neutral venue or at the home of the visitors, as Clapton have done over the years. However, it appears that they are not prepared to do so for the London Senior Cup which is not only a slap in the face for the competition but also for Clapton.  A senior club should not be allowed to cherry pick their fixtures so as to only play those which are financially profitable.

If the reason for the postponement is merely financial, and this is accepted by the London FA as a valid reason, it sets a very interesting precedent.  For example, would it be considered as acceptable for an away team from south west London to pull out of a midweek London Senior Cup tie at London Bari because of the prospect of playing in front of 15 paying spectators, the hassle of crossing London in rush hour and having to suffer the inevitable financial loss over travel, players wages/expenses etc?  I think not.

During this time I have seen some smashing games in the London Senior Cup and is a shame to see the competition brushed aside, almost as an inconvenience. Clapton enjoyed very limited success in the competition for some time before our appearance in the 1989 final, which was our first for over 60 years.  Perhaps this is to be our year again?  We now move onto a tie against Redbridge, not such a 'big fish' as VCD, but I imagine they will be able to cope with such a fixture at Oakside.  Its winnable, some come on lads !

Weather to Play the Game or Not.

Not so long ago Clapton and Bowers and Pitsea were propping up the Essex Senior League and only a victory, in our final game of the season at the McMillan against Newham, finally condemned the Essex club to the basement spot in 2013/14.

Eighteen months later, and things have changed for both clubs.  Last season, with a much-changed squad, Bowers were very much in contention for the league title and won the League Cup Final in fine style against the Tons at Great Wakering..  At the same time, the Clapton revival continues to roll on, supported by unprecedented regular attendances for the Essex Senior League and they have lost only one of 12 league matches so far this season.

So, last Saturday's game promised to be a titanic match with the Tons undoubtedly looking to avenge their drubbing in the aforesaid League Cup final and Bowers hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Unfortunately, it came as no surprise when the game was called off on Saturday morning. Bowers had already tweeted about apparent pitch problems and there had been some rain. But being an club with ambitions of Isthmian League football, it would not be unrealistic to have expected a 'brigade of fork wielding Bowers volunteers' to get the game on.  It must have worked three miles away at Basildon United, their game went ahead.

So, call me cynical, but, hypothetically,  if the choice was:

1. To have my side, promotion favourites, full of good footballers, play an important match against a decent, in-form team who could possibly challenge for the title    -  on a pitch that was slippery and forked so as to be made just about playable.
   
   Meanwhile, our opponents are backed by supporters who would create an atmosphere akin to an away match for us.
   
   
   or
2. have the match played on a Tuesday night later in the season when the visiting support will be considerably less and and visiting players may be unable to travel or the team form may have levelled out.

I know which I would opt for.  I would keep the forks in the work shed. 

I am not saying that this is the case. However, what is clear, is that Bowers and Pitsea are far from being the Cinderellas of the League. They are competing, seriously, and like any professional club, despite their protestations over their low playing budgets etc,  their recruitment of decent Isthmian League players (Dan Trenkel, Rob Whitnell, Lewis Manor, John Bricknell and most recently Aaron Waters etc) is certainly indication of their intention to bring Isthmian League football to the Len Salmon before too long.

If they achieve their objective, which would be an outstanding achievement, then they may need to continue a practice in such alchemy to keep them up there.

How would I know?  Clapton were an Isthmian League club for many, many years.

Is It Just About Tull?

Walter Tull is one of the most prominent and interesting people in the history 138 year history of Clapton Football Club.  His footballing rise, after just one season of amateur football, to be part of the Clapton team that won the FA Amateur Cup in 1909 and to sign as a professional with Tottenham Hotspur within a year, is like something out of Boys Own Annual.  Add that to his childhood in a Bethnal Green orphanage, his strength in dealing with racism on and off the football field, and his undoubted leadership and courage during one of the most horrific of Wars, it is not unfanciful to say that Tull is an important person from the 20th century and, I can proudly say, he was a member of my club.

Vince's club has announced their dedication of Armistice Day to Walter Tull this Wednesday and there will be an exhibition / talk to commemorate his life.  I would certainly like to have been able to go and to have contributed, as would many others, but the late announcement, just five days beforehand, has caught everyone on the wrong foot. This includes the two organisations listed as partners in the event who make unfortunately no reference to it on their websites.

Whilst I applaud the sentiment,, I am unsure whether a day, which is supposed to commemorate all those who died in the First World War (estimates are not definitive but it is said that over 6 million military personnel from the 'Allied' forces alone), amongst others, should be dedicated solely to one person, whatever his talents or achievements.

Maybe there were other dates more specific to Tull (birthday, anniversary of his death etc) that might have attracted greater attention to the cause.  It might also be an opportunity to liaise with his Regiment and Vince would have the contacts, as he was a serving soldier in the 1970s.

Whilst Tull remains an important part of the 'Clapton story' it is true to say that he left the Dog long before the outbreak of War in 1914. He had also left Tottenham and had signed for Northampton Town and had reportedly signed to play for Glasgow Rangers when the war was over. 

The 1928 Jubilee Brochure of the Clapton Football Club is says that "From 1915 and 1919, every member took part in the Great War and H. Cameron, N. Coaksley, L.S. Dumbell, B.F. Packer, B. Page, C. Snow, W.M. Timson made the supreme sacrifice for their country."

Whilst it is undoubtedly correct to remember Tull's contribution as a footballer and a soldier, I hope, on Wednesday, that Vince and his colleagues will also remember the members of the Clapton Football Club, of which he claims to be the present owner/custodian, who like Tull and millions of others, met a premature end to their lives.