Clapton CFC officially has a new team after the Men’s Over 35s were affiliated to the club following a vote at the AGM.

The Men’s Over 35s team formed in the summer of 2024 with a view to giving club members the chance to train regularly and play 11-a-side matches.

They have played several friendlies so far, against the likes of Camden & Islington United, Ryan FC, Dulwich Hamlet Supporters and St Pauli on Sea, with several more planned for the coming months.

However, the team needed to be an officially integrated part of the club in order to join a league, something they can now do.

Presenting the proposal to integrate the over 35s at the AGM on Wednesday, February 12, Marek Marczynski made it clear that there no cost implications for the club because the team is and will continue to financially self-sustaining, despite operating on a pay-what-you-can-afford basis.

What’s more, it would not burden existing committees and volunteers with any extra work as many Men’s Over 35s players have joined existing club committees. Centre-back Archie Mboto, for example, is the new CCFC club treasurer. There are around 70 players connected to the team, around 20 of which are new members of the club.

There are plans to establish a similar Women’s Over 35s team with many players in this age group already attending CCFC’s Open Access training on Saturdays. A mixed side will be entering a tournament soon.

The AGM motion was carried with no votes against and one abstention.

The Men’s Over 35s train weekly on Wednesdays at Chobham Academy (E20). If you want to get involved, email mensover35s@claptoncfc.co.uk. There’s also an Instagram account here.

The team plans to join a league, such as the Essex Veterans League, Southern Amateur Veterans League or Hackney & Leyton Football League, for the 2025/2026 season. Home venue TBC.

They have a big friendly coming up, as the team welcomes international visitors CD Parque Verde from Leganes in Spain on Saturday, March 15, 10:30am ko, Barn Elms, SW13 9SA.