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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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Complete film (0:54)
