Clapton Community FC vs Ashmount Leigh takes place on Sunday, December 17 2023 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

We welcome Ashmount Leigh to the Old Spotted Dog Ground for the first time on Sunday and it’s set to be the final action at the Old Spotted Dog Ground of 2023.

Clapton CFC women’s first team are in a topsy-turvy run of form including 6-1 and 7-1 wins and 5-4 and 5-1 defeats.

This is the final home game of a lop-sided fixture schedule which has seen seven out of eight games at home. It means there will only be three home games after Christmas. So come along and cheer the team on while you can!

The opposition 

Ashmount Leigh was set up in 2021 due to the lack of opportunities for women who wished to train in a professional setting in and around Surrey. They have had two promotions on the bounce, including last season winning 20 of their 21 league matches, with 120 goals scored and just 19 conceded, to win the Surrey Premier Division, as well as the League Cup. Originally based in the village Nutfield in Surrey, they’ve moved to groundshare at Dorking Wanderers’ ground this season. The Ashmount name was inspired by the chair and vice-chair’s college in the United States with Leigh in honour of the grandfather of their club secretary.

Previous meetings

This will be our first meeting as it is Ashmount’s first season at this level.

Form guide

Ashmount are just below us in the table but have notched up good wins against Brentford, Camden & Islington United and Richmond Park, as well as some eye-catching cup performances.

Players to watch

Club record goalscorer Danielle Boyd has a goal-a-game ratio during her time at the club. Former player-manager Holly Walker is now back to just playing and is an experienced defender.

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

This will be your last chance in 2023 to buy the home or away kit, a red or black beanie, a scarf or snood on the merch stall. The stall is open before the game, at half-time, and afterwards, only.

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

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