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| Welcome to .... |
I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard I cried. Even then it was probably chemically-induced. But halfway through the first half, there I was, I couldn’t stop myself. Where else but Clapton Community FC can I hear round after round of ‘In a box, in a box, Maggie’s in a box’ 5 years after The Great One (only joking) left for higher (lower?) plains?
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| Those of a right wing persuasion need not apply. |
Yes, it’s the final game of the season for left wing, refugee-supporting, ‘no dickheads allowed’ non-league football club, CCFC, who play at the 11th…or is it the 12th…tier of English football, on a park pitch in north-east London, in front of a scaffolded stand, with only two wooden steps to perch on. And needing a victory to secure promotion, the stand was packed and fans were half a dozen deep on the touchline. Indeed, the only on-pitch action I could see 1st half was when the ball bounced loose in the centre circle and midfielders without much ability attempted to control the ball on a bobbly pitch. So I wasn’t missing much.
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| The Main / only Stand |
But why so many here today? Well, it was meant to be the home game of FC Roast, but given Clapton’s popularity, the venue had been switched to accommodate their ultra hordes. Indeed, my old Sunday league team (R.I.P. Perfidious Albion) used to play at Market Road in Islington, so I know well the Roast’s artificial pitch. As a further sop, gate receipts were to be shared. I’m sure Roast had one hell of a nite out if they’re sharing 1200 fans paying (a suggested) £3 a pop.
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| Match action |
Clapton CFC came to fame earlier this season, due to the publicity earned from their commemorative away shirt honouring the anti-fascist International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/sep/06/clapton-cfc-anti-fascism-shirt-global-audience The shirt’s popularity went global as sales went through the roof. I have since had it on good authority that the shirt has even outsold two Premiership sides this season. It’s certainly an eye-opener. Abomination or genius – you decide. Mine’s on order.
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| ...as modelled by my mate Rod. |
CCFC themselves are a spin-off from Clapton FC, but having multiplied attendances more than twelvefold, due to the success of their ultras, a row with the owner led to the splinter club forming in 2018. Fast forward and at the end of their 1st season in the Middlesex County League, this win would see them crowned champions, and looking forward to a move to an adjacent pitch with better facilities. The future looks very bright for one non-league football club.
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| The Championship banner extension. Brilliant. |
A smattering of us met up in Walthamstow, with the promise of being able to drink alcohol at the match. Which is important when at least 2 of your crew couldn’t give a monkeys about football. The rest were either Arsenal, lapsed West Ham, or the Super Reds (Barnsley). It was a beautiful day too as we hopped on a bus down to Wadham Lodge, via the Dog and Duck pub, a sizeable venue with a beer garden (handy for the smokers amongst us). Then it was a walk through residential streets to the ground itself. And as I say, boy it was busy. I hadn’t realised it at the time, but I could have walked around the perimeter for a view. Instead, Loko and I were mesmerised by the chants, while we stood and drank beer. So we missed ‘The Tons’ going two up.
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| A spin-off group of a spin-off group; ultras behind the goal. |
At half-time, a number of fans moved to the end CCFC were kicking towards, allowing our troupe to edge towards the front for the second half. The atmosphere continued to be rocking, and we continued to miss any goals, as the 3rd coincided with a trip to the bog, 250 metres away in the pavilion. Not to worry, as my Barnsley mate Loko said ‘If I don’t come here at least half a dozen times next season, there’s something wrong.’ I’m with him. My tears have only just dried up. And the day still wasn’t over – Loko and I then trained it to Chesham to see a mate’s son’s band (future superstars Chapter 13) perform live after appearing on that night’s Britain’s Got Talent. Ooooh, the glam!
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| Players shaking hands after the match. |
Despatches: As well as the aforesaid anti Maggie chant, we also had 'Maggie Maggie Maggie, DEAD DEAD DEAD' which is obviously as tasteless as it is brilliant. But my own favourite was 'We're the Clapton, the mighty Clapton and we're gonna win away....a win away, a win away, a win away, a win away...' to the tune of 80s classic 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'. As Arnie said, 'I'll be back'.
The Damage: £3 ent
The Tunes:
Mixmag March ’12 (Richie Hawtin)
Mixmag March ’14 (Seth Troxler)
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| Essential match supplies. |
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| The ultras. |
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| I know another team with a Billy Casper flag...(Barnsley FC) |
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| Rod's kids enjoy a superior view. |
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| No, I'm not sure how I got in either. |
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| It's a family day out. |
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| 'Behind the goal' ultras. |
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| Almost a picnic feel by the corner flag. |
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| They don't make 'em like this anymore...do they? |
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| Full-time pitch invasion and flare. |
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| Full-time. |
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