Two wins in the last three games, against teams who were higher than us in the league table, were a welcome relief, despite the fact these victories were interspersed by the home defeat by Sawbridgeworth.
Nonetheless there were some issues to be happy about, notably the emergence of Abe,who looks to be a decent player. However, I am amazed that James Briggs, our most influential player, is regularly being left on the bench. So imagine my delight when our very own 'Jan Molby look-alike' came off the bench to send us on our way to victory against Wadham Lodge.
It was obvious that the Wadham game was to have a bit of 'edge' about it. The away match was won for them by an inept Clapton second half performance and a couple of disputed penalties, and this obviously rankled with many Clapton supporters. There was also the added 'spice' involving the return of former Tons' Assistant Manager Neil Day to the Dog who, undoubtedly, wanted to guide his new club to victory in a local derby.
But it was Clapton who won the day and gained a very welcome three points. The post match celebrations in the scaffold were, as always, a great bit of football theatre that is unique to the Dog.
Following the game I have seen a couple of references to the game, such as 'In your face Neil Day' which I hope were in jest but are, at the very least, uncharitable and possibly posted by those with only a recent, or selective, recollection of elements that have contributed to the re-emergence of Clapton FC.
Neil Day was Chris Wood's assistant before being sacked by Vince McBean. Those who were around at the time will recall that the real reason for the sacking was that Day was too close to the Friends of Clapton supporters group. I particularly remember an altercation that took place at Great Wakering Rovers between Neil and Marc Nurse, in which the latter, who at the time was very much Vince's ears and eyes in the dressing room, confirmed, with some delight, that this was the case.
Vince did issue a statement subsequently (which I cannot find on the internet anymore) that denied this but, his credibility, when it comes to the recounting the truth, is shot in any event.
Neil Day had worked tirelessly at Clapton alongside Chris Wood, and continually tried to promote the club and encourage people to come to matches. Those who follow him on Twitter will know that he appears to have now got the ball rolling at Wadham Lodge and it was good to see a decent gathering of visiting supporters at last Saturday's game.
Undoubtedly, Neil was shoddily treated by Vince McBean and therefore it is understandable that he wants to do well when opposing Clapton. I can't blame him for this but, unfortunately for him last Saturday, the Tons prevailed.
After Saturday's game, as per normal, the Clapton victory celebrations rang around the ground. A scaffold full of Clapton fans (oldies and newbies) joined in the singing with the players and team management, whilst others like me, looked on, enjoying the fun. This scene, which we all enjoy, originated during the tenure of Wood and Day. It was Neil and Chris, and their players, who were the first ones to chant 'lololololo' back to the fans in the Scaffold and help establish something that has become a Clapton post-match trademark which the newbies (or those with memory lapse) whether they are fans, players or team management, now enjoy.
Let us not forget that.
Showing posts with label Wadham Lodge FC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wadham Lodge FC. Show all posts
Monday, 18 January 2016
Friday, 20 November 2015
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 !
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 !
Sunday, 23 November 2014
A Forking Shame
Another postponement of a Clapton match at the Old Spotted Dog was very disappointing, particularly as the visitors were to be our old friends, and traditional rivals, Ilford FC.
The lateness of the postponement was all the more frustrating for those supporters who have to make the journey to Forest Gate. Fortunately, I live close to the ground but it was a shame to see that some fans had had wasted journeys.
Even though Ilford are relatively close to the Dog, a postponement at half past one was cutting it a bit fine, even for them, and it was no surprise and indicative of the frustration for all when they posted "Clapton Are A Joke" on their Twitter feed.
I didn't enjoy reading that, particularly when most of the stuff connected with the supporters and the real club has been unfailingly positive. It would have been more accurate had the tweet read "Vince's McBean's Clapton FC, you're a joke".
The supporters who did their best yesterday morning are not members of Vince's club because, of course, there are no members. There has been no acknowledgement or message of thanks to them on Vince's twitter or website. The 'forking squad' are Clapton supporters who's interest Vince takes for granted. Their efforts were fulled solely with the intention of getting the game played so that they, and other fans like me, could have an enjoyable afternoon.
It would have been better had a local referee been called in to inspect the pitch at least three hours before kick off. He would have assessed the state of the pitch and the likelihood of success of the 'forking squad' and come up with a reasoned decision. To leave it so late was an error and showed total lack of consideration of the opponents and the supporters.
This is one of the new problems being faced by Vince in that the club has a following of fans, and in normal circumstances, a person in his position would be mindful of them. Perhaps it is his intention to cheese them off sufficiently so that they all disperse, I don't know.
However, the pitch will not get better and it is becoming harder to believe Vince's contention that a drainage system was ever installed. We will lose more games to the weather and it is not unreasonable to expect Vince, or the team manager, to make some attempt to inform the supporters of the situation in good time.
What Saturday's events did show was that Vince, or his 'Clapton Members Club', do not have any members willing to 'pitch in' when necessary. But we know this, as do the League and the Football Association. Perhaps it's time that the chap on the Ilford Twitter feed had a word with his chairman, and then he speak to his counterparts throughout the Essex Senior League, and say "What's going on at Clapton?". I have no doubt that Saturday's events came at a monetary cost to Ilford FC and surely its now time for the clubs to demand that the League, at the very least take an interest. It will be interesting to see which Chairmen actually have the courage to do it.
Earlier in the week, @essexfootie posted on Twitter a reference to #postponementbingo due to the weather. Some wag later responded "On His Own... Vince McBean".
You, Sir/Madam, are more right than you probably know.
So, I took myself off to Wadham Lodge FC in E17. Incognito as ever, I noticed a few of the Spotted Dog regulars having a good time, Tyskie in hand. It was obviously good to see Neil Day enjoying his football once more, it was nice. Nice ground, nice game, nice people and nice afternoon.
But it's not the Old Spotted Dog !
The lateness of the postponement was all the more frustrating for those supporters who have to make the journey to Forest Gate. Fortunately, I live close to the ground but it was a shame to see that some fans had had wasted journeys.
Even though Ilford are relatively close to the Dog, a postponement at half past one was cutting it a bit fine, even for them, and it was no surprise and indicative of the frustration for all when they posted "Clapton Are A Joke" on their Twitter feed.
I didn't enjoy reading that, particularly when most of the stuff connected with the supporters and the real club has been unfailingly positive. It would have been more accurate had the tweet read "Vince's McBean's Clapton FC, you're a joke".
The supporters who did their best yesterday morning are not members of Vince's club because, of course, there are no members. There has been no acknowledgement or message of thanks to them on Vince's twitter or website. The 'forking squad' are Clapton supporters who's interest Vince takes for granted. Their efforts were fulled solely with the intention of getting the game played so that they, and other fans like me, could have an enjoyable afternoon.
It would have been better had a local referee been called in to inspect the pitch at least three hours before kick off. He would have assessed the state of the pitch and the likelihood of success of the 'forking squad' and come up with a reasoned decision. To leave it so late was an error and showed total lack of consideration of the opponents and the supporters.
This is one of the new problems being faced by Vince in that the club has a following of fans, and in normal circumstances, a person in his position would be mindful of them. Perhaps it is his intention to cheese them off sufficiently so that they all disperse, I don't know.
However, the pitch will not get better and it is becoming harder to believe Vince's contention that a drainage system was ever installed. We will lose more games to the weather and it is not unreasonable to expect Vince, or the team manager, to make some attempt to inform the supporters of the situation in good time.
What Saturday's events did show was that Vince, or his 'Clapton Members Club', do not have any members willing to 'pitch in' when necessary. But we know this, as do the League and the Football Association. Perhaps it's time that the chap on the Ilford Twitter feed had a word with his chairman, and then he speak to his counterparts throughout the Essex Senior League, and say "What's going on at Clapton?". I have no doubt that Saturday's events came at a monetary cost to Ilford FC and surely its now time for the clubs to demand that the League, at the very least take an interest. It will be interesting to see which Chairmen actually have the courage to do it.
Earlier in the week, @essexfootie posted on Twitter a reference to #postponementbingo due to the weather. Some wag later responded "On His Own... Vince McBean".
You, Sir/Madam, are more right than you probably know.
So, I took myself off to Wadham Lodge FC in E17. Incognito as ever, I noticed a few of the Spotted Dog regulars having a good time, Tyskie in hand. It was obviously good to see Neil Day enjoying his football once more, it was nice. Nice ground, nice game, nice people and nice afternoon.
But it's not the Old Spotted Dog !
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