The nomadic Clapton CFC men’s first team are playing in various venues across East London while we sort the dressing rooms next to the Old Spotted Dog, our home ground.

This one is at the spiritual home of grassroots, Hackney Marshes, with the CCFC men’s development team among the dozens of teams playing there each week.

For this one, however, the men’s first team will be on the show pitch right next to the Hackney Marshes Centre, which houses a cafe, bar and roof terrace.

It’s our first game in the borough of Hackney since a couple of appearances on the 3G surface at Mabley Green during wintry weather a few seasons ago.

Cricklewood Wanderers have a growing fan base themselves so it promises to be an intriguing battle of two of the experienced sides in the MCFL Premier.

Our previous meetings have seen CCFC win four, CWFC win one, and two draws.

The Roots finished fourth in the division last season – one place behind us – following on from second place in 2019/20.

This season, the teams have in the league at Cricklewood’s home ground at Wembley FC with CCFC winning 4-1 with a superb performance.

Cricklewood Wanderers themselves have a short, but inspirational history. The club was formed in 2011 by a group of young people with help from homeless charity Ashford Place.

It is now run by Youth Engagement Solutions (YES), a charity which helps young people in education, employment, training, sport and health. They now have four teams – boys, girls, first team and reserves.

Match information

Clapton CFC vs Cricklewood Wanderers is on Saturday, October 22 2022 at 2.30pm at the Hackney Marshes Show Pitch off Homerton Road, Hackney London E9 5PF

No tickets are required. Entry as usual is free but with donations welcome, with a suggested £3 for waged adults.

We will have a mini programme available, pick one up for free, donations welcome.

Hackney Marshes Show Pitch is next to Hackney Marshes Centre and is 18 minutes’ walk from Homerton (Overground), 20 minutes from Hackney Wick (Overground), 21 minutes from Leyton (Central), 24 from Stratford International (DLR), Hackney Central (Overground) and 30 from Stratford (National Rail/Overground/Elizabeth/Jubilee/Central/DLR).

The match will be on a roped off pitch with no cover so wrap up warm (or shelter in the bar/balcony if it rains!)