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.

Subsequent Thoughts on the Ilford Game

Last Saturday was a welcome day off for Clapton players and supporters after all the attention generated by the Ilford game and the incredible attendance.

I have been 'silver surfing' since then and the vast majority of the internet reaction has been extremely positive, not only towards the supporters (as usual) but also as to the quality of the entertainment served up by the players.  One hopes that those who enjoyed the day will come back to a non league game, if not to Clapton, but to their local team.

Negatives?  Well there was a complaint about the queues to get in and, to an extent, I understand that. However, in fairness to Vince McBean, I don't think even he could have imagined the size of the crowd.  It might have been an idea to ask the referre to delay the kick off for 15 minutes or so, but I doubt whether there has ever been any reason for the Essex Senior League to have considered such a possibility so as to include it in their rules. Hindsight is wonderful thing.

Many of the new supporters appeared to enjoy the day.  I have previously mentioned the buying of beer etc and will not repeat myself. However, there were a couple of other issues which have emerged that are worthy of comment.

The scaffold stand was clearly packed out, and it may have been the case that some of the 'originals' were pushed out or couldn't take up their usual places.  Thats unfortunate, but it happens when you get such a large influx of people. But, from what I understand, and have seen when I ventured over at previous games to witness the 'Ultras vibe' (very 60s!), is that there appears to be kind of unwritten code or ethic by which everyone enjoys the game along with the 'Clapton experience'.  The 'Scaffoldites' primarily watch the match, not themselves, or their neighbour, and they cheer, boo, heckle and sing along, dependant on and in response to, what is happening on the pitch.

On Saturday the vibe appeared to be more insular and the Scaffold seemed to be a prominent side show, on occasions, almost vying with the game itself.  A couple of people (regulars) mentioned to me afterwards that they moved out of the Scaffold because they could not see the game.  I know the Scaffold is a small space, and I am reminded of a quote from last season "we are going to need a bigger scaffold", but perhaps, in the short term, more consideration might be given to those unable to watch the game because they are obstructed by the melée or are smaller than the chaps at the front etc.   I am reminded of the packed terraces of Football League grounds in the 1970s when kids etc were normally allowed to get to the front so they could see the game.  Just a thought.

The word 'considerate' could be taken to mean "When a person actually gives a crap about you and/or other people".  So lets recognise that we are all Clapton fans, give due consideration to others, treat everyone with respect, whilst trying to ensure that everyone has a great time whilst supporting the Tons.

Also it was also a shame to see the number of cans that were littered about the place after the game as I recall that the Ultras traditionally cleared up after themselves, most famously at Wooton, Welwyn and after last season's cup finals.  I can only imagine that some of the new folks are not yet 'on message'.

An instance of someone clearly not 'on message' was the twerp who apparently offered to buy the Clapton shirt off a player's back after the game.  This, on Non League Day, when the Ultras were ensuring that others without such disposible funds, could come along and enjoy a game of football !  To that chap, I don't think Clapton is the place for you.  There are plenty of football clubs offering football with prawn sandwiches in London and elsewhere.

Despite this, I hope that many of the new supporters will continue to come to the Dog but, rather than view the Scaffold as some kind of circus act, they concentrate on the game, the state of the club, how it can be bettered, and what active contribution they can make.  I will try to engage with the new people and explain to them what has been happening, why such progress has been made at Clapton over the past two or three years.  It has been that progress that has brought these people to Clapton in the first place and, in order to be part of it, they should embrace it and the moral standards and values behind it, rather than flash the cash or, as was unfortunately overheard, view the outing as "a day out with the 'hoi polloi'."

Returning to the subject of food, although I cannot imagine prawn sandwiches were involved, I have seen an internet exchange over the post match events where our visitors, Ilford, complained that there were no showers, programmes or after match food.  I obviously know Allan Fenn, the Ilford manager, who is a past Clapton player and captain. I also know that Clapton FC are very dear to his heart and that he would not complain unless he considered it was justified.

Admittedly there was a break-in at the ground some weeks ago but Vince did say in this article on his website that that the ground was ready for the 'big day' and therefore one assumes that this was fixed.

Allan's complaint, as regards the sandwiches was responded to by Shelley Williams, who appears to be Vince's assistant, and she said that food was available and it must have all gone. Ok, perhaps there it was all gone by the time Allan arrived, but there still hasn't been any response, or apology, as regards the showers.  That is clearly inconsiderate, embarrassing and frankly not good enough.  If Vince McBean or club officials knew the showers hadn't been repaired in the first place, then that is even worse.  As for Vince's programme, its not missed as I picked up one of the real Clapton FC folded match sheets and it has all the information one could need.  You can get these programmes on the real Clapton website at www.claptonfc.info/progs/index.htm

Subsequent 'tweets' have included reference to a comment made by a Clapton official that the complaints made by Ilford were merely because they were jealous that Clapton had made so much money from the large attendance. That is disgraceful and certainly not representative of the traditions of the Clapton Football Club that I have supported for many years. Whoever made this comment should be ashamed.

I could not imagine, in the 60s and 70s when we used to visit the likes of Wycombe Wanderers, Hendon or Woking, that any official from those clubs would have made such a comment. The majority of clubs in the Isthmian League, had infinitely better attendances, resources and facilities than Clapton, and we were reguarly royally tonked by them. However, despite our apparent inadequacies, we (the players and supporters) were treated equally well as any visitor to their ground and, when they came to the Dog they treated our ground and club with the requisite respect.

Forty of so years later I can see that a lot of progress has been made by the supporters and Ultras over a very short period of time.  It would be a travesty to have it derailed.  It can be difficult when a large influx of people come in but I think that inclusion and tolerence should remain paramount.  Equally, those wishing to join the party, must be prepared to fit in with the ethic that has fulled that progress or find another club where cash is king.

FINAL NOTE : I thought the statement from Vince McBean was probably the biggest load of bull since his previous effort. What a liar he is. The fact he claims the credit for the day demonstrates his distain for the efforts of the Ultras and others in promoting the game so brilliantly.  My message to the Ultras is "learn from this" and to the real Clapton FC, "Come on, get him out for the good of our great old club."

Rules, Fools and a Load of Balls

Over the years one has often heard the phrase “rules are meant to be broken” and, as attractive or maverick a mantra as this might seem, recent events have brought me to the conclusion that, if one is intent of having rules, surely one has to adhere to them so as to achieve good and fair practice in any society, group, club or even a football league.

So before my anarchic friends start spitting at their monitors, let me explain my thinking.

As most people now, the actual status of the ‘club’ that Vincent McBean runs is something of a mystery, and purposely so.  One is aware of the various Limited Companies that he has opened, allowed to be struck off through failing to file accounts, and then started again with a new one with the same name.

Couple that with two more McBean creations, the ‘Clapton Members Club’, and a mysterious supporters group, the ‘Tons Members Club’ who no one has ever encountered, and it adds up to a very complicated situation indeed.

THE ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE RULES.

So thank the footballing gods for rule 2.13 of the Essex Senior League that requires all clubs to publish on website and programmes etc its legal name and form. That is to say that they are obliged to declare, as a minimum requirement, to publish whether it is a member’s or a proprietary club, a limited company etc. This rule also requires that if a part of a club is privately owned, they should declare it.

I was one of a number of people who wrote to the secretary of the League asking that he enforces this rule and was firstly disappointed that he chose not to respond personally but send a generic email to Andy Barr, complaining of an ‘email bombardment’.  I was also surprised by his refusal to accede to enforce a rule that is said to be a minimum requirement.  This refusal was all the more surprising as, in the mail, he referred to possible legal proceedings which, as he will know, are unlikely to be started without actual clarification of what kind of operation, and under what guise, Mr McBean’s 'club' is officially being run.

As Dworkin once said. the correct interpretation of a rule is “the one that puts practices in their best light, or makes of them the best that they can be.” In my opinion, an epic fail here.

It is circumstances such as this, where football is unable to be consistent in its application of its rules and where transparency is clearly in question.  To address this, the Football Governance Bill is being put through Parliament.  I wish Damian Collins MP every success with his efforts to enact the Bill.  The only people who have anything to fear from its enactment are those using football for questionable motives and others who support and protect them, tacitly or otherwise.

THE SAWBRIDGEWORTH RULES.

Last weekend, we came across more rules, this time, apparently, by order of the Football Association.  Here is the sign that greeted spectators at our away match with Sawbridgeworth Town FC.

This sign was probably a product of the Essex Senior League meeting recently referred to by Vince McBean on his website. However, there have been no fireworks let off at Clapton matches that I have been to, and, in fact, the last ones that lit up the Spotted Dog were from neighbour’s gardens at Dwali a couple of years ago. Flares? Pyro? or whatever, I believe qualified undertakings were given to Mr McBean on that front and the issue has been closed.

However, the banning of food and drink was quite a surprise, so the idea of having to dispense with my Greggs pasty and bottle of Dr Pepper at the gate was not the ‘Welcome to Sawbridgeworth Town FC’ I was hoping for.

But, on a serious point, what was the purpose behind the obviously newly commissioned sign?  It was clearly aimed specifically at Clapton supporters, 'purported' or otherwise (see below)  But, there have been no incidents involving drunkenness at any of the Clapton games that I have seen over the past couple of years (if one excludes the infamous Clapton groundsman) and neither sandwich, chomp bar or other tasty comestible has been jettisoned pitchwards.  I don’t recall any kids becoming disruptive whilst having OD’d on sunset orange or other E numbers, so why have the FA, who, according to the sign, expressly ordered this ban, taken such a heavy handed approach?  Someone should ask them, but don’t hold your breath for an answer.

It might be no coincidence that Sawbridgeworth chairman, Mr Steve Day, is a member of the Essex Senior League Management Committee and he may have thought this a way of flexing his muscles in response to the embarrassment they must feel over their failure to apply their own rules in response to our initial request for information.

So I admit to breaking an FA order (if that was what it really was).  I did not dispense with my snacks and drinks outside or declare them at the gate.  I ate and drank my contraband pitch side, alongside a band of locals who were happily imbibing of alcoholic beverages whilst watching the game.

REF STOPS THE GAME

There was another mysterious incident when the referee stopped the game, after his linesman indicated that one of the Clapton followers, who was getting in position to lead the singing, had held onto a pole behind the goal to support himself.  Play was a long way away from the incident and this was hardly a pitch invasion.  But the reaction of the officials to this incident smacked of them being briefed or under some kind of orders, instructions or a campaign, by whoever is instructing referees, to ‘clamp down on Clapton supporters’.  The referee even went to have words with the Clapton dug out. That was ill-advised, no Clapton officials in there mate, as our ‘owner’ was scheduled to be trousering the bar take at the London Bari home match at the Dog.  However, if the referee wanted to be even handed in his pedanticism, he could have equally instructed the home supporters to remove their drinking vessels containing alcohol from the pitch side barrier.  He didn’t. 

THE FANS WIN THE DAY

But this is non–league / amateur football for pity’s sake and, in contrast to the idiocy of the welcome sign and the fussy referee, the highlight of the day was the superb post match exchange between the Sawbridgeworth and Clapton supporters in which everyone joined in to celebrate their day.  It was an excellent victory for the home team and the visitors had enjoyed another day of vociferously supporting one of the most popular non-league teams in the south of England.

So the overbearing and ridiculous sign was booted into the long grass by those who actually matter, the supporters.  It might be interesting to see if that sign becomes a permanent fixture at Sawbridgeworth games or even if the FA actually did make the specific order or why it only applies to Sawbridgeworth.

As Albert Camus once said “Integrity has no need of rules”.

Finally, I have read in another email that was sent to an ex Clapton Chairman from the ESL Secretary in which he refers to ‘purported Clapton supporters’.  He should be assured that I was a Clapton supporter long before he was ever involved with Ilford FC and, more recently, his tenure at the Essex Senior League.  It is also quite possible that the new breed of Clapton supporters, purported or otherwise, might well outlast him.

Right, I'm up for the cup and I'm off to the Dog for our match against Waltham Forest. Come on you Tons.