1finny
Well-known member
Clapton Town Community Football club play at the delightfully named
Old Spotted Dog Stadium in the Eastern Counties League Division 1 South.
It’s not far from Upton Park.
They were promoted last season and Saturday saw them in the final game of the season at home to high flying Harlow Town trying to secure the final play off spot.
The values of the club are really clear and in your face. From the rules as you go the turnstile to banners throughout the ground.
As we approached (5 of us) we were a bit worried to see ‘sold out signs’
Clearly looking a bit lost a bloke told us where to queue if we had tickets. Told him we hadn’t so he pointed to another bloke saying he might be able to help.
He said he had 2 spare, quickly called out, to those queuing to get in, for any spares and within seconds we had the 5 we needed.
No money changed hands.
The guy simply said it would be nice if we made a donation to the club when we got in.
This had been a frantic and confusing couple of mins so I said ‘hang on, have these people just handed over tickets they had paid for ….to complete strangers’.
The simple response of ‘yes’ said it all really.
We gladly made donations.
Facilities are rustic.
2 Portaloos
Small club house but for the big days they sell cans of beer on a trestle table.
Local Craft beer £4
And the cider is advertised on the price list as
‘Thatchers (DEAD) £2.50’
The atmosphere is mad.
Local Italian ultras behind the goal (no more than 30
A further 150 or so at the side also singing and chanting.
If anyone can shed any light on ‘Gravy Ultras’ I’d be grateful - maybe related to the local delicacy (Pie, Mash and Gravy)
A particular favourite - to the tune of Sweet Caroline ‘Free Palestine’
There were families, groups of men, groups of women it was just a fun place to be.
They lost 1-0 but, their nearest rivals also lost so they are in the play offs.
I missed the celebrations to get my train back to Lincoln (doesn’t mean I’m not a proper fan
)
I’ll be back.
Old Spotted Dog Stadium in the Eastern Counties League Division 1 South.
It’s not far from Upton Park.
They were promoted last season and Saturday saw them in the final game of the season at home to high flying Harlow Town trying to secure the final play off spot.
The values of the club are really clear and in your face. From the rules as you go the turnstile to banners throughout the ground.
As we approached (5 of us) we were a bit worried to see ‘sold out signs’
Clearly looking a bit lost a bloke told us where to queue if we had tickets. Told him we hadn’t so he pointed to another bloke saying he might be able to help.
He said he had 2 spare, quickly called out, to those queuing to get in, for any spares and within seconds we had the 5 we needed.
No money changed hands.
The guy simply said it would be nice if we made a donation to the club when we got in.
This had been a frantic and confusing couple of mins so I said ‘hang on, have these people just handed over tickets they had paid for ….to complete strangers’.
The simple response of ‘yes’ said it all really.
We gladly made donations.
Facilities are rustic.
2 Portaloos
Small club house but for the big days they sell cans of beer on a trestle table.
Local Craft beer £4
And the cider is advertised on the price list as
‘Thatchers (DEAD) £2.50’
The atmosphere is mad.
Local Italian ultras behind the goal (no more than 30
A further 150 or so at the side also singing and chanting.
If anyone can shed any light on ‘Gravy Ultras’ I’d be grateful - maybe related to the local delicacy (Pie, Mash and Gravy)
A particular favourite - to the tune of Sweet Caroline ‘Free Palestine’
There were families, groups of men, groups of women it was just a fun place to be.
They lost 1-0 but, their nearest rivals also lost so they are in the play offs.
I missed the celebrations to get my train back to Lincoln (doesn’t mean I’m not a proper fan
)I’ll be back.
