Clapton Community FC vs Brimsdown takes place on Saturday, December 16 2023 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

After the end of their 17-game unbeaten league run, the Clapton CFC men’s first team to rebuild and hopefully go again, starting on Saturday against Brimsdown.

The run had to end at some point, and it did so on Friday night away at fellow high-flyers Cannons Wood. Enforced changes and transport delays didn’t help, and had an early chance gone our way the result could have been different, but overall Cannons Wood were value for the win.

A win in the team’s final home game of the calendar year would be a good start, but Brimsdown are also a top half side who kept a clean sheet against us earlier in the season.

The opposition

The old Brimsdown Rovers – famed for former player David Beckham – merged with Enfield 1893 FC in 2010. Three years later, Brimsdown FC was formed as a successor, playing in the Spartan South Midlands League, as well as an academy and 8 youth teams. Owner Ahmet Toygun has a five-year plan to bring Brimsdown FC back to Enfield and own their own ground.

Previous meetings

Earlier in the season the teams shared a rather drab 0-0 draw at Brimsdown’s current home at Wormley Rovers. Since then we’ve signed Brimsdown striker Taylan Gul, who didn’t play that day but had been top scorer in their promotion season last year.

Players to watch

Young striker Zion dos Santos Sinclair has hit double figures already, putting him in the top ten in the division.

Form guide

Brimsdown are in the chasing pack just outside the play-off places. They’ve won two of their last three games as well although they’ve had a few frustrating postponements recently.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay. Spectator entry will be via the Disraeli Road turnstile from 2pm.

Standard admission is now £4 (we are not allowed to charge less by the FA at this level), concessions can pay what they want, and under 13s are free. A full list of concessions is available here.

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 2pm until 7pm. 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.

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

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

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

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 towel

Merch

This weekend 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 an 8-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.

Pitch was waterlogged earlier this week so we need to keep damage to a minimum before the ground freezes.

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 too please.

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