ILFORD FOOTBALL CLUB. ILFORD FC V Clapton FC Wednesday 2 nd August :45pm KO CRICKLEFIELD STADIUM

Transcription

1 ILFORD FOOTBALL CLUB ILFORD FC V Clapton FC Wednesday 2 nd August :45pm KO CRICKLEFIELD STADIUM

2 Ilford Football Club - A potted history Ilford Football Club began life in 1881 as one of many hundreds of village teams, yet unlike most was to rise to considerable heights and national acclaim. The Club was a founder-member of the Southern League in 1894, its owners' refusal to adopt professionalism leading to its withdrawal two years later, being replaced by an emergent Tottenham Hotspur. The pro-am debate which dominated soccer at the time did not prevent Ilford from securing a first (IsIthmian) League title in Numerous County Cups were to follow in this period. The famed Leicester Fosse side (now Leicester City) were beaten on their own ground and Ilford captain, Joe Dines (shortly to sign for Liverpool) returned from the Stockholm Olympics in 1912 with gold medal as part of the all-conquering GB team. World War 1 decimated the squad, although only four were counted among the fallen including schoolboy hero Dines (cut down by German machine gun fire only weeks before the Armistice). Amazingly, the side which Ilford put together in the '20's proved its most successful to date -with back-to-back Isthmian titles(1922/1923) and consecutive FA Amateur Cup Final victories in 1929 and The decade also witnessed the now-famous European tours, with exhibition games against Spanish giants FC Barcelona and victory over Ajax in a packed Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. A further Amateur Cup Final in 1936 and home gates of over 10,000 were not uncommon. World War Two ended the careers of most of that squad -and the life of youth international winger Ernie Braund (killed piloting hisspitfire on a training flight). The post-war era saw Ilford's iconic Lynn Road Stadium used for numerous representative games. The London 1948 Olympiad brought huge crowds to Ilford as France crossed swords against India (the latter's first international match since Independence) and eventual Yugoslavia took on Turkey. Into the '50's and England met WestGermany at Lynn Road in an amateur international (featuring among others Karl-Heinz Schnellinger of World Cup 1966 fame). Many professional clubs also were to visit Lynn Road and Ilford played and beat a strong West Ham team in The end of the minimum wage at the turn of the 1960's adding to a growing elitism in the game, brought about a sharp decline in amateur soccer. Despite earning Wembley visits in both 1958 and '74 as Amateur Cup finalists (the '74 final vs Bishops Stortford being the swansong for the hallowed tournament) Ilford Football Club was sliding quite dramatically and clearly lacking coherent direction. With gates declining it was announced that Ilford were to move to a new, purpose-built stadium at Fairlop. Tragically the sale and demolition of Lynn Road -with little consultation- preceded a hefty and scandalously unforseen tax bill. With hopes for the new ground dashed a hasty groundshare with Leytonstone was contrived. The succession of mergers and groundsales beyond this point is well-documented and the loss not only of Ilford,but also Leytonstone and Walthamstow Avenue (each once with a profile higher than some League1 and even Championship clubs of today) was a tragedy which served no-one save the owners of the current Dagenham and Redbridge FC. A reborn Ilford Football Club emerged in 1987, initially as a campaign spearheaded by dedicated former supporters. Playing fortunes over the intervening years have fluctuated somewhat, while changing demographics have been instrumental in an erosion of traditional support. Nonetheless, as the Club counts an impressive 136 years since its formation, optimism is currently high that there may be further glories ahead. Successive Lottery awards in the early 2,000's, an impressive recent Youth development programme, plus the recruitment of several key personnel all bode well as the old Club rises to confront the new challenges of Michael Foley

3 But...As we are well aware, Clapton are a totally different proposition. Deserved Runners up last year, Jon & Andre s team are always a threat. Well organised and well disciplined, I expect Clapton to be up there again. Good evening and welcome to Cricklefields Stadium where we play host to our historic local rivals Clapton FC. We started the season with a good solid 5-0 win at Woodford Town on Saturday. The lads showed great character in the face of adversity, they all stood up and played with pride and passion. We thoroughly deserved the points, goals and clean sheet So what are our seasons objectives you may ask? To win every game And see where it takes us Simple really A few more signings will be joining us very soon so keep the faith. We will only get stronger! On a final note, I hope you all enjoy the game tonight and I d like to wish the officials, teams, officials and supporters a great evening and safe journey home. See you in the bar Resurgam Fenny

4 VIEW FROM ABOVE We welcome our friends and rivals, Clapton FC, to Cricklefield this evening, 130 years after the first playing of this famous fixture. Many players and even officials have served both clubs down the years. Both clubs have featured on the national stage in times past and both have experienced the many traumas and upheavals associated with running a town club in the modern age. Allan s men will be looking for a reversal of fortunes from last season having forfeited the points in both League encounters. If the game at The Old Spotted Dog in April was much closer than the 2-0 result, both sides left the field in the knowledge that the occasion had been marred by three or four morons -people who call themselves fans but who know and care nothing for the rich tradition of friendship and co-operation shared between the clubs, one which will continueunabated. The many Clapton fans who made a point of shaking hands with our contingent after the match -and those with whom we are in regular contact- are the true face of Clapton FC and I m sure the welcome we are able to afford our friends tonight will reflect this unique relationship. With regard our 5-0 winning start on Saturday, it could hardly have gone better. Of course our opponents (Woodford Town) added to their woes by playing out the last half hour with nine men, but we did what we needed to, our 3 or 4 debutants all performed admirably and we registered a clean sheet. Allan s pre-season has been nothing short of a train wreck -for reasons totally beyond his control. The resilience therefore and character on display from the entire squad and coaching staff was tremendous to behold. Under-21 s Manager George Perendos in the dugout does seem to have been a good omen (we shall see if this is to continue). The new season at Cricklefield comes of course also for our friends and tenant, Barkingside Football Club -and we wish them an enjoyable and successful season. Do encourage friends and family to come over and support our club. Gates increased dramatically for the last few games in March/April and this phenomenon is one we wish greatly to continue. Feel free to speak also either with myself or other committee persons, with your views, comments and suggestions. With our brand new retro-style programme commencing (we hope) mid-september, we will be very happy to welcome new contributors. Those requiring any information on sponsorship opportunities are welcome to make contact via the website, by phone on , or personal mj.foley@aol.co.uk MF

5 Chairman Michael Foley Vice Chairman Robert Wiggs Secretary / Treasurer Colin Walton Youth Development Officer Paul Belcher Committee Members Ed Valionis,, Glen Hart, George Perendes, Naheed Bhatti, Rory O Callaghan, Paul Kerrison Manager Allan Fenn Joint Assistant Managers Billy Cove & Dave Morgan Coaches Fitness Coach Glen Warwick Goalkeeper Coach Chris Clark Physiotherapist TBC Club Captain Stefan Szajewski Goalkeepers Chris Clark Tom Jackson Dave Morgan Defenders Edas Valionis Justas Paliulis Josh Coulson Stefan Szajewski Luke McLeavy Matt Thoma Midfielders Harry Matthews Chris Lockwood Bill Rungay Karolis Atutis Paul Clayton Ashley Wackers Glen Warwick Jordan Thomas Paul Oshin Harry Watkins Chalie Perendes Forwards Khadean Campbell James Peagram Jamie Hart Isiaiah Anjorin Chris Stevens Vice Captain Chris Lockwood

6 A UNIQUE RIVALRY STRETCHING BACK 130 YEARS!! The earliest recorded match between today s protagonists took place early during the season, at The Old Spotted Dog. In this debut campaign Clapton hosted not only their nearest friends and rivals, but also Nottingham Forest and Old Carthusians (the latter a former FA Cup winner). Ilford meanwhile had just taken up residency at The Sports Ground, Wellesley Road, soon the venue of a famed London Senior Cup victory against Millwall which attracted record gate receipts. Always following parallel paths the neighbouring clubs were founder- members of the Southern League in The League was formed in an attempt to emulate the northdominated Football League, but both clubs retreated in disarray, after just two seasons during which all bar the two, plus Reading, had opted to enter the professional arena. The foundations of a long friendship therefore were already in place when Ilford acquired the iconic Lynn Road ground in 1904 (their home for the next 73 years). Visitors for that inaugural friendly match (in torrential rain) were Clapton. A gate of 2,000 was recorded and the honour of scoring the first ever goal at Lynn Road fell to Ilford in a 2-1 home victory. Parity was restored the next season as Clapton defeated Ilford 2-1 in the semi-final of the FA Amateur Cup, played at White Hart Lane (though losing to West Hartlepool in the Final). As founder members of the embryonic Isthmian League that same year a further and lasting bond was cemented. The outbreak of War in 1914 witnessed the OSD requisitioned by the War Office and the club availed itself of the use of Lynn Road until The gesture between friends was returned during the Second World War, as Lynn Road was the siting for antiaircraft guns and the club gratefully turned to the OSD for its limited wartime commitments. Clapton s famed FA CUP tie against Queens Park Rangers in 1957 was logically switched to Lynn Road, thus accommodating the huge crowd which the occasion produced. As the allure of the amateur game waned and an ability to pay players more than your rivals began to determine your team s fortunes, both Ilford and Clapton endured meagre times through the 60 s and 70 s (Ilford s 1974 Wembley sojourn aside). The more recent times are also well-chronicled, but it is quite remarkable that in 2017 the oldest of acquaintances share the same arena once again -and perhaps (who can say) with their respective stars on the rise one more time.

7 We have a number of sponsorship opportunities this season. Player sponsorship Match day sponsorship Match day ball sponsorship Match day experience Kit sponsorship (various) Programme advertising Stadium advertising Website advertising For more information please speak to Michael Foley or Colin Walton.

8 Clapton FC History The history of Clapton is very much that of a club which has a history and reputation unparalleled in non league football. Founded in 1887 as Downs FC in Downs Rd Hackney, the club moved to its present site that same year where it remains to this very day. Clapton in 1894 became founder members of the Southern League (Dr Martins) along with Luton Town, Milwall, Reading, Southampton and Swindon. Arsenal were prime movers but left to join the football league whilst Tottenham Hotspurs application was rejected!! The club was one of the original founder members of the Isthmian League in 1905 which was then and up until the early 70s one of the most important semi professional leagues in the county. Clapton s reputation and history is tied to the early days of this league and the prestigious FA Amateur Cup and were twice winners of the league and five times winners of the Cup In 1956 Clapton played in the first floodlit game for an amateur side against Barking at Upton Park in front of 5,000 people. Their best ever FA Cup run was during this time with a 1-1 draw against QPR in 1957 before losing the reply away 1-3 in front of 14,000. With the introduction of the Premier Division, Clapton had a brief change of fortune and won the Division Two title in as well as the Essex Senior Cup in beating Southend Utd. The Essex Thameside Trophy was won in and retained the following year.. Relegation to the newly formed Division 2 North followed in Still the club rallied to win the Essex Senior Trophy in 1988 and lost in the final of the London Senior Cup the same year 0-1 to then conference side Fisher Athletic. However a 7th place finish in saw a mass exodus of players at the end of the season and two seasons later Clapton were in Division 3 (now Div 2) upon reorganisation of the league. in 2006, restructuring of the Ryman league led to Clapton being placed in the Essex Senior League. Today with Chief Executive Vince McBean at the helm, the club is continuing to develop the foundations for the future based on a long term structure. Whilst no longer one of the major players on the non league scene the club s youth development is legendary with hundreds of its players passing through its doors and going on to Senior clubs. Since 2012, the club has seen it's supporters grow and now has one of the largest number of supporters in the league. We have also seen (through the continued drive of

9 management and the development team), the club again starting to make strides again up the league table. Clapton finished in 7th place in and were winners of the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy in the same year. The season saw the Tons maintain a strong position in the standings of the Essex Senior League, eventually finishing in 2nd place overall. The philosophy of the Club has been youth development and for the season, the focus is again on young footballers and has s 2 U18s and an U16s team competing in the Essex Junior Alliance. More information: Manager: Jon Fowell Assistant Manager: André Thomas Coach: Ray Bartlett Physio: Lizzie Mathews Midfielders & Wingers Jerry Jairette Steven Sardinha Krisitan Haighton Louis Rene Musti Kahie Scott Hill Nathan Cook Ryan Reed Raphael Duyile Johnny Ashman Jeffrey Cobblah Goalkeepers Emmanuel Olajide Ignas Budvytis Mark Kavanagh Defenders Lanre Vigo Josh Flynn Dean Bouho Quincy Egbejale Jordan Meikle Jesse McKenzie Jamie Lyndon Dylan Ebengo Yusuf Bello Forwards Craig Heskey Jay Morris Akin Obamakin Jay Knight Caiden Imbert-Thomas Anton Stephenson

10

11

12 ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Pl W D L GD Pts 1 Ilford FC Hackney Wick FC West Essex FC Basildon United FC FC Romania Great Wakering Rovers FC Takeley FC Redbridge FC Hullbridge Sports FC Waltham Forest FC Barkingside FC Enfield 1893 FC Southend Manor FC Tower Hamlets FC Burnham Ramblers FC Sawbridgeworth Town FC Clapton FC Sporting Bengal United FC Stansted FC Wadham Lodge FC Woodford Town (2017) FC As of 29/07/2017

13 Saturday 29th July 2017 Basildon United 2 (Tommy Barton 27, Marcus Bowers 55) Clapton 0 Att.281 Burnham Ramblers 1 (Adam Brotherton 17) Hackney Wick 3 (Magnus Orelaja 44, Matteo King 53, Jeffrey Idemudia 66 Att. 19 Great Wakering Rovers 2 (Bradley Nobbs 60p, Aaron Russell 82) Stansted 0 Att. 83 Hullbridge Sports 2 (Luca Frankis 8, 50) Waltham Forest 2 (Mohammed Sagaf 9, Nana Yiadom 57 Att.47 Redbridge 2 (Calvin Poku 88, Eljay Worrell 90) Tower Hamlets 1 (Hasan Mustafa 34) Att.51 Sawbridgeworth Town 1 (George Pullen 10) West Essex 3 (Joe Lefley 12, Cameron Gray 82, Issac Marfo 85) Att.40 Takeley 2 (Stuart Zanone 3p, Mitchell Das 15) Sporting Bengal United 0 Att. 65 Wadham Lodge 0 FC Romania 2 (Cosmic Anton 84, George Tahan 87) Att.30 Woodford Town Ilford 5 (Khadean Campbell 22, 68, Josh Coulson 61, James Peagram 75, 79)

14 Premier Division Round Up Clapton s fans fancied a trip to a place called Bas Vegas on Saturday but the team otherwise known as Basildon United made sure they returned to E7 with no more than memories of a good day out as the points remained in Basildon. Tommy Barton opened the scoring for the Bees in the 27th minute before Marcus Bowers notched the other in the 55th minute to seal a 2-0 win. A crowd of 281 witnessed last year s runners-up come unstuck on the opening day. Iain O Connell told the Southend Evening Echo in midweek that he was unconcerned about the favourites tag but he must have been happy to see his Great Wakering Rovers team open their latest Essex Senior League saga with a 2-0 home success over Stansted. Bradley Nobbs rifled home a penalty on the hour before Aaron Russell made sure of victory by adding a second in the 82nd minute. Newboys Hackney Wick posted three points to the board after a 3-1 win at Burnham Ramblers. The hosts took the lead through Adam Brotherton but then had a man sent off before Magnus Orelaja scored a peach of an equaliser. The Wickers then scored twice in the second half via Matteo King in the 53rd minute and Jeffrey Idemuda who put his name down on the score sheet in the 66th. The Wickers even managed to miss a penalty along the way. West Essex started their campaign with a 3-1 win at Sawbridgeworth Town but they had to come back from behind to achieve it. George Pullen fired the Robins into the lead in the 10th minute but they held onto that lead for only two minutes, with Joe Lefley levelling up. Cameron Gray and Issac Marfo banged home goals in the 82nd and 85th minute respectively to win it for the visitors. It didn t take long for Stuart Zanone to open his 2017/18 goal account; his 3rd minute penalty was his, Takeley s and the ESL s first goal of the season. Mitchell Das notched a further goal in the 15th minute in the 2-0 home win over Sporting Bengal United. FC Romania left it late at Wadham Lodge with both goals coming in the final ten minutes. Cosmic Anton finally broke the deadlock in the 84th minute before George Taban doubled the lead in the 87th minute; and with it the points.

15 Ilford put their troubled close season behind them with a comprehensive 5-0 away win at Woodford Town Khadean Campbell scored twice, in the 22nd and 68th minutes, as did James Peagram in the 75th and 79th. Josh Coulson notched the other goal in the 61st minute to put the Foxes 2-0 up but by then the hosts had been reduced to nine men following two red cards. ESL Clubs on the FA Cup trail Twenty ESL clubs start off in the Extra Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup next Saturday with two clubs, Hackney Wick and Wadham Lodge making their FA Cup debuts. The Wickers host Long Melford from the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division. To entice the people to come to the Old Spotted Dog, the club will be charging a mere 2 entrance with free entrance to senior citizens and U18s. Wadham Lodge make a long journey into Suffolk to face Thurlow Nunn Division One outfit Framlingham Town. The game will be recorded by BBC Sport for their FA Cup Preview Show, giving the club and the league some valuable exposure. There are a further ten ties against Thurlow Nunn League clubs with Great Wakering Rovers, now starting off in the earliest FA Cup round due to their relegation from the Bostik League, travelling to Newmarket Town. Southend Manor have been drawn to Wroxham, who were also relegated from the Bostik League last season. Clapton are drawn away to FC Clacton, Sporting Bengal United visit Hadleigh United, while Basildon United travel to Walsham le Willows. Enfield 1893, Hullbridge Sports, Ilford, Takeley and Barkingside all hosts sides from the Norfolk and Suffolk region. Burnham Ramblers are away to St Margaretsbury on the Sunday 6th August - the same day that Barkingside host Stowmarket Town. Tower Hamlets travel to FC Broxbourne Borough. The home side may have finished bottom of the Spartan South Midland League Premier Division last season but are now managed by Roy Bleu who last season took the club s U18s right through to the last sixteen in the FA Youth Cup. A tough assignment could be in order Waltham Forest flew the ESL flag furthest in the FA Cup last season, reaching the 2nd Qualifying Round. The run started with a 5-1 win at fellow ESL outfit Redbridge in the Extra Preliminary Round and ended at the hands of Folkestone Invicta from the Bostik Premier. This time around they face-off against fellow ESL rivals FC Romania. It is one of three all ESL affairs as Redbridge are at home to Stansted; while Sawbridgeworth Town take on West Essex.

16 ILFORD FC YOUTH TEAMS 2017/18 SEASON UNDER 21 TEAM Essex and Herts Border Combination League Manager George Perendes UNDER 18 TEAM Eastern Junior Alliance League Manager Glen Hart UNDER 15 TEAM Eastern Junior Alliance League Manager Paul Belcher UNDER 14 TEAM - Eastern Junior Alliance League Manager Paul Pennington UNDER 13 TEAM - Eastern Junior Alliance League Manager Spencer Campbell Follow the youth teams on ilfordfcyouth@yahoo.com

17 THE EMIRATES FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND Saturday 5 th August 2017 Ilford FC V Woodbridge Town FC 3.00pm KO Forthcoming fixtures.. L 12/08/17 15:00 Enfield 1893 FC Ilford FC L 15/08/17 19:45 Burnham Ramblers FC Ilford FC L 26/08/17 15:00 Ilford FC Sawbridgeworth Town FC L 30/08/17 19:45 FC Romania Ilford FC L 02/09/17 15:00 Ilford FC Stansted FC L 13/09/17 19:45 Ilford FC West Essex FC L 16/09/17 15:00 Great Wakering Rovers FC Ilford FC L 19/09/17 19:45 Redbridge FC Ilford FC L 23/09/17 15:00 Ilford FC Basildon United FC Cup 27/09/17 19:45 Ilford FC Enfield 1893 FC L 02/10/17 19:45 Tower Hamlets FC Ilford FC L 07/10/17 15:00 Ilford FC Takeley FC Cup 10/10/17 19:45 Redbridge FC Ilford FC L 14/10/17 15:00 Barkingside FC Ilford FC L 18/10/17 19:45 Ilford FC Southend Manor FC L 21/10/17 15:00 Ilford FC Hullbridge Sports FC L 28/10/17 15:00 Wadham Lodge FC Ilford FC L 04/11/17 15:00 Ilford FC Waltham Forest FC L 11/11/17 15:00 West Essex FC Ilford FC L 18/11/17 15:00 Basildon United FC Ilford FC L 22/11/17 19:45 Ilford FC Woodford Town (2017) FC L 25/11/17 15:00 Clapton FC Ilford FC

18 Would you like to volunteer at Ilford Football Club? Volunteering is the commitment of time and energy, for the benefit of society and the community, the environment, or individuals outside one's immediate family. It is undertaken freely and without concern for financial gain. Volunteering can give you the opportunity to try something new, gain experience, develop skills, improve your career prospects, build confidence and meet new people. If this is something that interests you, please come and chat to someone in the boardroom after the game.

19 ILFORD FC (Summary of main stats) Founder members of Southern League Lost Test Match (Wolverton L & N W R 2 Ilford 0), and resigned from Southern League Founder members of London League Division One Founder members of Isthmian League Isthmian League Champions Missed runner-up spot on goal average Missed runner-up spot on goal average Isthmian League runner-up (on goal average) 1919 Second in emergency Isthmian League competition. Victory over Colchester in FA Cup replay, in front of record Layer Road crowd Isthmian League Champions (2nd time) Isthmian League Champions (3rd time) Isthmian League runner-up F.A. Amateur Cup Winners F.A. Amateur Cup Winners (2nd time) Isthmian League runner-up F.A. Amateur Cup runner-up Isthmian League runner-up Isthmian League runner-up F.A. Amateur Cup runner-up F.A. Amateur Cup runner-up 1977 Relegated to Division Two Division Two renamed Division One 1979 Having sold Lynn Road, IFC embarks on sequence of mergers which mark death of Club 1987 Club resurrected as Ilford FC Joined Spartan League 1991 Resigned Spartan League Rejoined Spartan League 1994 Left Spartan League Joined Essex Senior League Essex Senior League runner-up Joined Isthmian League Division Two. Isthmian League Division Two Champions/Cup winners Joined Southern League Eastern Division Rejoined Isthmian League in Division One North Nine points deducted Rejoined Essex Senior League

20 ILFORD FC TODAYS SQUADS CLAPTON FC Royal & White Hooped Shirts Royal Shorts Red & White stripe shirts, black shorts, black socks 1 Chris Clark 1 2 Ashley Wackers 2 3 Justas Paliulis 3 4 Paul Oshin 4 5 Karolis Atutis 5 6 Stefan Szajewski (C) 6 7 Harry Watkins 7 8 Chris Lockwood 8 9 Josh Coulson 9 10 James Peagram Khadean Campbell Jamie Hart Hugo Rossetti (GK) Edas Valionis Charlie Perendes Luke McLeavy Isaiah Anjorin Harry Matthews 18 Manager: Allan Fenn Asst Manager: Billy Cove & Dave Morgan Coaches: Physio: Manager: Jon Fowell Asst Manager: André Thomas Coach: Ray Bartlett Physio: Match Officials: Referee: Remi Olopade Assistant Referees: Tony King Elliot Mercer