Fantastic news! Clapton CFC have been given permission for our final men’s first team games of the season to be held at the Old Spotted Dog Ground.

Geoff Ocran‘s table-topping team have been nomadic across East London this season, playing on whatever pitches we could hire, but at last they can join the women’s first team who have already settled into our OSDG home.

The men’s first team will make their competitive OSDG debut against Kensington Dragons on Saturday, April 22. Not only should it be a historic occasion, the men’s first team are also going for promotion and the Middlesex County Football League title.

We still await the report on whether London’s oldest senior football ground has passed the grading for the men’s first team to be eligible for promotion.

If we have, promotion could be clinched with a win on Saturday against Kensington Dragons, though it will be tough as they are one of the only two teams to have beaten us in the league so far.

If Shepherd’s Bush and Indian Gymkhana fail to win themselves on the same day, we could even win promotion and the title even if we don’t win.

Kensington also beat us in the Alec Smith Premier Cup too, gaining some revenge for CCFC’s win in the final of the same cup last season on penalties.

Overall the Dragons have had a good season, in seventh place now but with loads of games in hand, so could move up to fourth.

The club formed in 2001 and is a registered charity with eight boys’ teams, five girls’ teams and three men’s teams.

Match information

Clapton Community FC vs Kensington Dragons takes place at the Old Spotted Dog Ground at 3pm on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Gates open at 1pm.

You do not need to book a ticket in advance, just turn up. Entry to all our games is free, but with donations welcome. We suggest £3 for waged adults for competitive games. You can donate on the gate (cash is quicker, card also accepted) or you can donate online here.

Spectator entry will be via the Disraeli Road turnstile and gates. Dogs on leads are very welcome. Cash and cards are accepted everywhere.

If you have any further questions, look for anyone wearing a pink hi-viz vest who will be happy to answer.

Food and drink

The clubhouse bar will open at 1pm and close at 8pm. As well as a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale, we also have coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Bovril, squash and water which are free, help yourself, donations welcome.

We will have two outdoor can bars during the game. 

Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food – meat, veggie and vegan options.

Merch

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

We should have stickers and some home replica shirts and woolly hats on sale too.

Pre and post-match entertainment

Mark Taylor will be DJing in the clubhouse before the game, and residents Old Dogs Disco after the game.

Toiletries collection

We host a hygiene bank collection at every home game. Our charity partners Magpie Project support mums and young children in temporary accommodation. They need:

● Toothpaste ● Toothbrush ● Shower gel ● Shampoo ● Deodorant ● Sanitary towel

The collection box is usually at the Disraeli Road entrance but if not will be in the OSD clubhouse area.

New tinned food bank trial

We have a box for food donations in the clubhouse for anyone to use, donate to, or collect for others. Anyone; members, volunteers, parents, players, builders etc are welcome to come & take what they need, when they need it.

Directions

The Old Spotted Dog Ground is at 212 Upton Lane in Forest Gate, London E7 9NP.

Forest Gate station (Elizabeth Line) and Wanstead Park (Overground) are 15 minutes’ walk away, Plaistow (District / Hammersmith & City) is 20 minutes’ walk, and Stratford (National Rail/Overground/Elizabeth/Jubilee/Central/DLR) is 25 minutes’ walk. It looks like all lines are operating as normal.

If you’ve not been to the OSD yet, here are some even more detailed directions.

There’s parking for bikes inside the Old Spotted Dog Ground, near to the outdoor toilets.

Parking is free on the streets to the north and west of the ground (e.g. Disraeli Rd) on Saturdays and Sundays. On Saturdays, parking is restricted on streets to the east and south of the ground (e.g. St George’s Rd and Upton Lane), but there are no restrictions on Sundays. Always check local signage for any changes. And if possible come by public transport, bike or walk

Map of the Old Spotted Dog Ground