It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Clapton Community FC Life Member, Ian Simpson, aged 79. 

Ian first started attending matches at the Old Spotted Dog in 1946, when he was just weeks old, as his parents used to cater for the players. Living just a few streets away, Ian grew up watching matches from behind the opposition goal at the OSD and travelled to matches away as far as Shildon in County Durham. 

One of Ian’s memories of watching a match at the Old Spotted Dog was published in The Guardian’s The Knowledge section in 2020. In the early 1960s his dad lent his pale blue jumper to the goalkeeper to avoid a kit clash.

In 2018, upon the formation of Clapton CFC, having the support of Ian, along with the unanimous approval of other longstanding Old Spotted Dog attendees was a significant step in the establishment of our club. Ian was given the honorary position of Life Member at our first AGM. 

Ian’s son-in-law, Stu, said: “Barely a week during the season passed without him relaying the results and league position. And his original International Brigades away shirt was very possibly his favourite item of clothing”. 

Ian retired to Norfolk in the 2000s, having previously worked for a bakery. This put a limit on his ability to get to games at the Old Spotted Dog in recent years, although he continued to wear his Clapton CFC badge with pride at local sides, Swaffham Town and Holt United, where he became a regular attendee. Sadly he passed away unexpectedly last Monday.

Ian was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and foster parent. His kindness, consideration and open-mindedness was exemplified by the wide range of friends he had at our club. Values we will maintain in his memory.