SOCCER FOOTBAIL

NZ Truth, Issue 889, 9 December 1922, Page 7

SOCCER FOOTBAIL

The Famous Clapton Club.

E. J. Norman writes from Christchtfrch: — "Dear 'Tynecastle', — Your correspondent, Charles Gowland, who claims for himself the historical position m the sphere' of Soccer football of being the Father of the Clapton Club, one of the oldest and best amateur Soccer clubs m the world, should certainly feel proud of his position. He may ,be interested to know that this club has still its home at 'The Spotted Dog,' and continues to turn out some very fine footballers. Its Star player this present season is the English International amateur, Earle, son of Harry Earle, one-time famous goalkeeper of the club and later Notts County, who it will be remembered by some w&s declared a professional by accepting a testimonial from the Clapton Club m the form of furniture, professionalism did not suit Harry, and sooner than return the furniture he gave up the game at the age of 45 years. I was never a member of this club, but well I remember as a boy of X 7 years of age the row m the Norman household for disobeying father (who was, and still is, a vicepresident, of the Clapton Club) and refusing to sign on for the r cWb, I joined the Ilford Club, Clapton's most deadly. rival, and had the satisfaction of beating them for the London Se.ni.or Cup that seaspn. My brpthe# George, probably remembered .by some qt Wellington's rep. players, Jed the Clapton 3ide for several- seasons, and obtained hip international cap. I should be pleased to offer Mr Gowland any in.formation which might interest him m regard to this very old club," [The above, no doubt, will be of interest to a great many Soccerites who are acauainted. with the. popular Canterbury centre-forward. "Tynecastle" m his day found he had very little time to do a "loaf", when opposing- this versatile forward, who was always a big handful to a defence when he bad such a general as Alex Blsset opening up the game for him. Bisset, m this scribe's opinion, was the finest inside-right m the country m his palmy days, and ohe\whom it was a pleasure to folay against.]