Vince McBean’s Clapton FC was plunged into another crisis on Monday after the Essex Senior League gave him a week to confirm where the club will play.
Mr McBean postponed his club’s first league game of the season at very short notice at the weekend due to unexplained issues at the Old Spotted Dog.
There were indications earlier on Monday that the issue may have been resolved, with next Saturday’s visitors Stowmarket Town tweeting they’d been assured the game was going ahead.
They have also paid for a supporters’ coach down from Suffolk.
However, the Essex Senior League broke its silence on the saga on Monday night, giving Clapton FC seven days to find an alternative regular venue while they presumably attempt to resolve the issue with the OSD.
No reason has yet been given by the club, the ESL or the FA for the current crisis. It’s unclear if there is an issue with the ground itself or with Clapton FC’s tenancy.
Mr McBean and associates have been attempting to liquidate the lease-holding charity over the last two years, a battle that has been making its way through the High Court.
The present crisis has been bubbling on for at least a month, after four pre-season friendlies were moved or cancelled, but no-one has provided any answers.
Sporting Bengal, who were due to visit the Old Spotted Dogon Tuesday night, also thought the game was going ahead judging by a now deleted tweet on Monday.
However, Sporting Bengal announced the game will now take place at Oakside, the home of Redbridge and Newbury Forest, instead.
Finally, Mr McBean confirmed the switch late on Monday night with a short statement on his club’s websitE, adding “the inconvenience.. is beyond our control.”
Stowmarket Town have also tweeted to confirm that Saturday’s game will not take place at the Old Spotted Dog, with a venue still to be arranged.
We understand the game will now take place at Aveley’s Parkside at 3pm on Saturday, although this has yet to be confirmed.
It’s unclear if Mr McBean is taking his team to Oakside or Parkside for just one game, or more permanently.
He tried to switch last Saturday’s game to a lunch-time kick off at Aveley’s 3G pitch, where they also played three ‘home’ games last season.
However, Aveley already have two ground sharers in Grays Athletic and May & Bakers, so a fourth would perhaps be too much to fit in.
Barking FC also have two ground sharers in Leyton Athletic and West Essex, so it’s likely Mr McBean will be looking to move into an East London ground with ‘just’ two clubs sharing.
Perhaps the Terence McMillan Stadium in Plaistow or the Mile End Stadium would be other avenues alongside Oakside.
The Old Spotted Dog yesterday. On the pitch, just above the bins, you can just see a sprinkler in action. The ground is in dire need of a clean-up.
Step 6 side Hackney Wick have also been ground-sharing at the Old Spotted Dog while they attempt to move back to their home borough.
On Monday night they announced they will be moving to Haringey Borough in the meantime.
https://twitter.com/HackneyWickFC/status/1158460341359173632.
Concerned fans who have been past the Old Spotted Dog in the last few days have reported that the sprinkler is in use and a ball on the pitch.
And today we have been sent a photo of the sprinkler on in a different area of the pitch today. So it’s clear someone has access to the ground still.
The sprinkler back in use on Tuesday morning
The ground was also privately hired out for a game last Sunday (July 28th), the latest in a long line of events, photo shoots, festivals and parties held at the club.
However, gate income has dried up since all fan groups and bodies – including this website – joined forces in a boycott of all home games due to Mr McBean’s flagrant mismanagement of the club and its historic home.
A fan-owned club, Clapton Community FC, was set up with 1400 members. It averaged 447 at home games in Walthamstow last season. This season a women’s team has been added.
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