Clapton Community FC vs Burnham Ramblers takes place on Saturday, October 7 2023 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

The men’s first team are looking to break a run of four straight draws in the league against Burnham Ramblers at the Old Spotted Dog Ground.

The team’s confidence will have been boosted by snatching a late equaliser last Saturday at home to high-flying Cannons Wood in front of the best crowd of the season for a league game, 539.

After a much-changed side lost to higher division Little Oakley in the BBC Essex Senior Cup on Tuesday night, it means we can now, as the cliche goes, concentrate on the league.

We’re in the middle of a huge run of home games for both the men’s and women’s first teams in a very hectic October so your support would be hugely appreciated.

The opposition

Formed in 1900, Burnham Ramblers joined senior football in 1985 and moved to their present ground Leslie Field in 1987. They progressed up the leagues as high as Isthmian North for two seasons from 2013 to 2015. They reached that level with the Essex Senior League title sealed at the Old Spotted Dog Ground against London Bari. They have been in this division since 2018, finishing 13th, 6th and 7th in the final tables.

Their most famous legend is probably Gordon Brasted who moved to Arsenal and they club have won the memorial trophy named after him three times. However, our own James Briggs is also among their former players.

Form guide

Manager Alex Salmon quit in early September with the team in fourth place to move up two divisions to take over at Enfield FC. Since then new player-manager Kudus Oyenuga (the ex-Spurs and Dundee United player) is rebuilding. They’re on the fringes of the play-offs and had an eight-goal thriller with Southend Manor in midweek.

Previous meetings

This will be our first ever meeting.

Players to watch

Striker Gabriel Ogunwomoju made two appearances for CCFC in pre-season in 2018/19 – one friendly, one in the Brian Lomax Trophy – before moving to Hashtag United. He has four goals for Ramblers this season.

Admission

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

Standard admission is now £4 (the minimum we are allowed to charge by the FA 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.

Outside, Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food – meat, veggie and vegan options. We also have Hackney Gelato on sale in the clubhouse.

Hygiene bank collection

We’re now in a position to bring back the hygiene bank collection at home games.

Our charity partners Magpie Project support mums and young children in temporary accommodation. They need:

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

At the moment they’re also appealing for canvas/tote bags so please do donate if you have spares.

The collection box will either be at the main entrance or the OSD clubhouse area.

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 shirts plus scarves, 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 left of the main stand. You can lock them to the fencing. 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
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