Clapton Community FC vs May & Baker takes place on Tuesday, October 10 2023 with a 7.45pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

It’s now five draws in a row for the men’s first team after Saturday’s game against Burnham Ramblers finished 2-2.

But having been 2-0 down with minutes left, that crazy late comeback sparked when the Burnham keeper was sent off will hopefully have given confidence that a win isn’t far away.

The opposition

May & Baker FC is the former works team for the chemical factory which operated in Dagenham until 2014. The football team can trace its history back to 1923 and until 2018 played next to the factory, but had to move first to Barking Rugby Club and now Aveley’s Parkside in order to climb up the levels. Later this season they are due to move into their new permanent home on the main pitch at the £13 million – yes, really – Parsloes Park centre in Dagenham.

The club – now called the May & Baker Eastbrook Community Club to incorporate the name of the area of Dagenham – have been in the Eastern Counties League Division One South since it was founded in 2018 and have finished as high as fourth in the table.

Form guide

Both sides are in mid-table but May & Baker are in better form. They recently beat high-flyers Hutton in the league then followed it up days later by beating Step 5 side West Essex FC in the FA Vase. They have a bye in the next round due to opponents’ Norwich United folding.

Previous meetings

This will be our second meeting following on from our visit to Parkside in August, where a superb performance saw us win 5-3.

Players to watch

Striker Gabriel Odili has had a fine start to the season with 8 goals in 12 games. 

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 from 6.45pm. Cash and cards are accepted everywhere.

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will open at 6.45pm and close at 10.15pm.

We have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale. Two beers are on tap – Pretty Decent Lager and Old Scaffold Daze, our own IPA.

We also have hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Bovril) and water at the bar which are free, please help yourself.

We have crisps, nuts, and Hackney Gelato on sale in the clubhouse.

There is no hot food on sale for this game.

Merch

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

As it stands, the merch stall may not open for this game.

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 games 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.

Any questions?

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

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