Clapton Community FC vs Hoddesdon Town takes place on Saturday, September 9 2023 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

The Clapton CFC men’s first team have another chance to bounce back at the Old Spotted Dog Ground on Saturday after losing two home games on the spin.

Having enjoyed a near two-year unbeaten run at home, the team are having a sticky patch, drawing one and losing two at home since an opening win.

Manager Geoff Ocran mentioned it could be a bit of complacency after starting the season so well, following on from promotion, but that will surely have disappeared now.

This will be the CCFC team’s 100th league game – see the matchday programme for a stats breakdown.

The opposition

Hoddesdon Town was established in 1879 and started playing at its current Low Field ground in 1882. The highlight of the club’s history must be winning the FA Vase at Wembley in front of 9500 spectators in its first ever season, 1974/75.

In recent seasons they’ve flitted between the Essex Senior League and the Spartan South Midlands League but were relegated from the latter to the Eastern Counties League this season.

Form guide

This season they’ve started well with 2 wins out of 4, hammering NW London 6-2 who then proceeded to beat us 5-2. They’ve also been hit with some bizarre postponements: at Southend Manor the pitch was still a construction site; while the ref called off the game at Tower Hamlets due to excessive goose poo. All their games have been away so far – they are due to play their first home game of the season next Saturday.

Previous meetings

This will be our first ever meeting.

Players to watch

New signing Jamaine Galya has scored three goals already for The Lilywhites this season.

Admission

No advanced tickets are needed, just turn up and pay at the turnstile.

Standard admission is now £4 (due to FA minimum pricing at this level), concessions can pay what they want, and under 13s free. A full list of concessions is available here.

Spectator entry will be via the Disraeli Road turnstile and gates from 2pm. Cash and cards are accepted everywhere.

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

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will open at 2pm and close at 7pm. As well as a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale, we also have hot drinks and water at the bar which are free.

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

Volunteer stall

If you’re interested in volunteering, pop along to a game and speak to a member. Look for the table by the merch stand. There’s loads of volunteering opportunities and we’d love for more people to get involved.

Merch

We will have an eight-page matchday programme available, pick one up for free, donations welcome to cover the printing costs.

There are limited numbers of both home and away shirts plus scarves, a few bucket hats, pin badges and keyrings on the merch stall at home games.

The stall is open before games, at half-time and a bit after the game but not during the match itself.

Accessibility

There is an accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities next to the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse main entrance is also step-free.

Pitch access

The Grounds committee need to request all spectators keep off the pitch before games and at half-time. They need to carry out safety pitch inspections before play begins, which are voided if people have gone on the pitch.

Children welcome

Prams and pushchairs are always very welcome in the OSD, but please avoid blocking walkways. Make sure all children are behind the perimeter fencing during games please.

Kids can play on the pitch (weather permitting) after the game but not before or at half-time

Dogs welcome

Spectators are welcome, in fact encouraged, to bring dogs to the OSD, but please keep on leads.

Bikes welcome

There’s space to leave your bikes inside the Old Spotted Dog Ground, to the right of the outdoor toilets. You can lock them to the fencing. It’s best to arrive early so you don’t have to push your bike through crowds. Please don’t leave them locked to the pitch perimeter as it blocks the walkway.

We are currently working on plans for a better bike parking and locking system – watch this space.

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.

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

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