Clapton Community FC vs Richmond Park takes place on Sunday, December 10 2023 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

We welcome Richmond Park to the Old Spotted Dog Ground for the first time on Sunday after an unusual double header at their home last season.

Clapton CFC women’s first team are in a topsy-turvy run of form with 5-4 and 5-1 defeats interspersed with a 6-1 win. One thing’s for sure, there’s been no shortage of goals.

We’re towards the end of an endless run of home games – seven out of eight – which means there will be only three home games after Christmas. And we’re about to have a month break for the festive period too. So come along and cheer the team on while you can!

The opposition 

Richmond Park FC is a community football club for Kingston, Ham and Richmond. The women’s first team formed for the 21/22 season and won the new Surrey FA Women’s League with a 100% record. Last season they finished in tenth place in their first at this level. This season they’ve moved to Tolworth.

Previous meetings 

Last season’s games were played on the same day, back to back, at Richmond Park’s then home at Hampton & Richmond Borough. The first of the games – shortened to 60 minutes – ended 0-0 then we won the second 2-1 thanks to a brace from Maria Mendonca.

Form guide

Richmond Park are two places below us but are in form with three wins in the last five league and cup games, having lost every match up until then. CCFC meanwhile only played one league game since October having been involved in cup games and hit by postponements.

Players to watch

Former Clapton defender Phoebe Parthews is registered with Richmond Park but hasn’t played this season. Last season’s top scorer Lauren Hawkley – the third best in the division – is now playing in America. In her place, Jesina Bansoodeb is leading the way with five goals so far. They are a young, talented team who are quickly adapting to adult football.

Admission

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

Admission for women’s first team games is by donation, with a suggested £4 for waged adults to match the charge for the men’s first team, but any amount or none at all is fine.

Spectator entry will be via the Disraeli Road turnstile from 1pm with kick off at 2pm.

Cash and cards are accepted everywhere in the ground – cash is quicker at the turnstile to help prevent queues but card quicker elsewhere.

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will open at 1pm and close at 6pm.

Please help the club by purchasing drinks from the bar. The premises are licensed so we ask you not to bring your own alcohol into the OSD. The profits from the bar are invested in maintaining the grounds.

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.

Hygiene bank collection

The hygiene bank collection is back at all home games, with the collection box at the main entrance. Our charity partners Magpie Project support mums and young children in temporary accommodation. They need:

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

Merch

We will have a 4-page matchday programme available, pick one up for free, donations welcome to cover the printing costs.

There are limited numbers of shirts, scarves, pin badges and keyrings on the merch stall. The stall is open before the game, at half-time, and afterwards, only.

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 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 at 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.

If/when Clapton CFC wins a game, children are invited to join the players in their post-match celebration on the pitch.

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, next to 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.

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