Clapton F.C. - History

History

Clapton F.C is one of the oldest football clubs in England. They are one of amateur football's former greats with an impressive honours list, which boasts, amongst many others, two Isthmian League titles, three London Senior Cup wins, and five FA Amateur Cup wins. The club, which is recognised by the Football Association as being the first from Britain to play on the continent, beating a Belgian XI in 1890, also hosted the first floodlit amateur football match in 1956, and has contributed three England internationals.

Founded by W.R. Davis at a meeting in his father's house at 11 Queensdown Road, Clapton in August 0f 1877. Downs F.C. started playing on Hackney Downs. They changed their name a year later to Clapton FC and in 1880 were playing at North Mill Field, Leyton. They shortly afterwards had their first private enclosure at Elm Farm and finally moved to Pilgrims Farm, Walthamstow with an annual rental of 10 pounds a year. In 1888 they moved to their present ground The Old Spotted Dog Ground, which, from at least 1893 until 1902, was the venue for the final of the West Ham Charity Cup.

They were one of the founding members of the Southern League in 1894 and in 1905 gained full membership of the Football Association. In the early days, season 1894–95, they competed in the Southern League First Division, of which they were founder members, alongside teams such as Luton Town, Millwall Athletic (now Millwall), Reading and Swindon Town. In 1896, due to being unable to compete financially, Clapton resigned their membership from the Southern League.

Then in 1905 "The Ton's" were founder members of the Isthmian League along with Casuals, Civil Service, Ealing Association, Ilford and London Caledonians. Clapton hold the record for unbroken membership of the Isthmian League, staying from 1905 until 2006–07 when due to non-league re-organisation they were moved to the Essex Senior League. Their last season in the top division of the Isthmian League was season 1972–73 which resulted in relegation.

Clapton, nicknamed 'The Tons' had joined the Isthmian League upon its establishment in 1905. Champions twice in the early years, they spent many years in the lower reaches of the league since WWII. Their last 30 years in the Isthmian League were spent mainly in the lower reaches, but they had a brief renaissance in the 1980s winning the Isthmian League Division 2 Title in 1982–83, the Thameside Trophy in 1982–83 and again in 1983–84, the Essex Senior Cup in 1983–84, Essex Senior Cup Runners Up in 1982–83 and the London Senior Cup Runners Up in 1988–89. In the 2005–06 season they played in the Second Division, but lost their place with the 2006 re-structuring of the non-league set-up. They currently play in the Essex Senior League.

Since playing in the Essex Senior League they have seen average crowds dwindle. Surviving on averages of 31 (2006–07), 37 (2007–08), 21 (2008–09), 23 (2009–10) and 35 (2010–11).

The club have a miserable recent record in the FA Cup with no magic seeming to have been cast over The Old Spotted Dog Ground since 1957 when Shefford Town, St Albans City, Enfield FC, Ware and Bury Town were brushed aside to reach the first round proper. Queens Park Rangers were held to a 1–1 draw at Ilford FC's Lynn Road ground. However, in the replay, at Loftus Road, Clapton were beaten 3–1.

In recent years the club have survived, however,a new initiative, The Friends of Clapton FC, has been launched to bring together ex-players, followers and those with a love for the best traditions of non-league and amateur football to help secure the club's future and to offer the club help and assistance.