Walter Tull Way is now open! The new and improved alleyway behind the Old Spotted Dog Ground is now officially open and with a brand new name.
At a ceremony on Sunday, we unveiled a new information plaque and two street signs dedicated to Walter Tull, one of the first Black footballers in England.
The OSD is where Walter started off playing as an amateur from 1908, before beginning his professional career with Spurs the following year.
Although obviously Walter never played for Clapton Community FC, which was founded in 2018, members chose the name as our ground is an important part of his story.
If you’ve visited Clapton CFC’s home in the last few months, you will have noticed the alleyway running between Disraeli Road and Upton Lane.
Council contractors Kenson Highways widened the path, paved it with bricks, installed a new fence, planted new trees and plants, and tarmaced the Disraeli Road entrance.
With footfall on the alleyway due to increase dramatically, we wanted to make sure it had a fitting new name. As a members owned, members run club, a vote was held at our AGM, and we decided upon Walter Tull Way.
The new street signs were installed in March and on Sunday we unveiled the new information board. This will be seen by everyone walking down the alleyway.
Walter’s great nephew Ed Finlayson, along with biographer Phil Vasili, travelled down to Forest Gate and gave speeches on Sunday. Ed has also donated some items on behalf of Walter’s surviving relatives, the Finlayson family in Scotland, who run the Walter Tull Archive.
Afterwards, Ed asked us to pass on his thanks:
Just to say many thanks for a great and memorable day. What a great event and lovely atmosphere. I am really pleased I was able to attend in person and experience the occasion. It is clear you are doing great work at the Old Spotted Dog. I have been able to share photos of the day with my siblings. Thanks again to all at Clapton CFC for the honour you have paid Walter and the manner in which you remembering and celebrating his life. Best wishes to you all.
The event was hosted by CCFC member Ric Prescod while Peter Ashan, one of our youth coaches and a local historian, also gave a speech.
Also in attendance were Newham mayor Rokhsana Fiaz and councillors James Beckles, Amar Virdee and Liz Cronin.
CCFC is also grateful to member Andy Stevens‘ company, Graphic Thought Facility in Bethnal Green, for their generosity in donating the cost of the plaque.
We chose to unveil it before the final Women’s First Team game of the season against Brentford FC on Sunday, May 4 as it was our closest game to Walter’s birthday of April 28, 1888.