Clapton F.C.

History

Established in 1878 as Downs Football Club and initially based at Hackney Downs in Lower Clapton, the club initially played in dark blue shirts and white shorts, with a distinctive white Maltese cross on the left breast. The following year the club adopted its current name. Clapton began competing in the FA Cup in 1888–89, and in 1890 became the first club from Great Britain to play in continental Europe, defeating a Belgian XI in Antwerp. They returned to Belgium three years later, recording another emphatic victory as they beat Antwerp 7–0.

In 1894 Clapton became founder members of the Southern League, alongside Luton Town, Millwall and Reading, and were placed in Division One. Finishing eighth in a nine-club league they were forced to play a test match to avoid relegation, defeating Sheppey United 5–1. The following season saw them finish eighth again, but despite winning the test match against the 1st Scots Guards, the club left the league at the end of the season as several of the other clubs turned professional. In 1904–05 the club reached the final of the FA Amateur Cup for the first time, losing 3–2 to West Hartlepool. In 1905 they became founder members of the Isthmian League, finishing as runners-up in its inaugural season. The following season saw the club win their first Amateur Cup, defeating Stockton 2–1. In 1908–09, they won the Amateur Cup again, thrashing Eston United 6–0 in the final. The 1910–11 season saw them win their first Isthmian League title, and in 1914–15 the club won a third Amateur Cup with a 1–0 victory over Bishop Auckland in the final.

In 1922–23 Clapton won another Isthmian League title. The following season saw them win their fourth Amateur Cup, defeating Erith & Belvedere 3–0 in the final. They went on to retain their title as Amateur Cup holders the following season, beating Southall FC 2–1 at the Old Den. In the same season, three Clapton players were selected for the England national team. In 1925–26 the club reached the third round of the FA Cup after wins against Norwich City and Ilford in the first and second round. They were eventually knocked out, losing 3–2 at 'home' to Swindon Town, a match that was played at West Ham's Boleyn Ground due to the large expected crowd. The club would go on to reach the first round of the FA Cup again in 1926–27, 1927–28 and 1957–58, losing to Brentford, Luton Town and QPR respectively.

In 1975–76 Clapton finished bottom of Division One of the Isthmian League, dropping down to Division Two, which was renamed Division One in 1977. At the end of the 1981–82 season they were relegated to Division Two, but bounced back at the first time of asking as champions. The club won the Essex Senior Cup for a third time in 1984, but were relegated again at the end of the 1984–85 season, dropping into Division Two North. In 1991 the club was placed in Division Three after league reorganisation, which later became Division Two due to further reorganisation. In 2005–06 Clapton finished in bottom of the league for the second consecutive season, and subsequently joined the Essex Senior League after Division Two was disbanded. In 2015–16 the club won the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy, beating Stansted 4–0 in the final.

Ground

Initially based in headquarters at the Downs Hotel, in 1880 the club moved to a pitch at Millfields, adjacent to nearby Lea Bridge Road in Leyton, but changed grounds again shortly after, moving to Elm Farm. In 1888 the club made their final switch to the sports grounds at the Old Spotted Dog in Forest Gate, after it had been vacated by St Bartholomew's Hospital. The first game at the Old Spotted Dog on 29 September 1888 resulted in a 1–0 victory over Old Carthusians.

Supporters

Clapton's support includes the "Clapton Ultras". Started in 2012, the group follows the European ultras tradition and has developed around local fans disengaged with modern professional football, migrants to East London and those with an opposition to discrimination and far-right politics within football.

Honours

Records