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Topical Budget 192-1: Clapton's Khaki Team (1915)
 

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Main image of Topical Budget 192-1: Clapton's Khaki Team (1915)
 
Production CompanyTopical Film Company

After playing their last match of the season, ten Clapton Orient players enlist for the 'Footballer's Battalion'.

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The footballers of Clapton Orient play their last match before joining their regiment in this poignant news item. 'Clapton's Khaki Army' was one of four stories included in the Topical Budget newsreel of 28th April 1915, all but one of which were encouraging recruitment.

The 1914-15 season was the last before the Football League was suspended thanks to the war. This news item shows the Clapton Orient team (now better known as Leyton Orient FC) playing the last match before swapping their jerseys and shorts for British Army khaki in the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (known as the 'Footballers' Battalion').

The team played against Leicester Fosse (later Leicester City), and gave their 20,000 home supporters a cheering leaving present with a 2-0 victory. A farewell parade followed the match. Clapton Orient was the first complete team to join up - three of the players were killed at the Battle of the Somme, while others were injured and would never play professionally again.

Jan Faull

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