Clapton Community FC vs Denham United takes place on Sunday, April 7 2024 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

There’s just four games left for the Clapton CFC women’s first team, starting with the final two home games, Denham United this Sunday (April 7) and Brentford the following Sunday (April 14).

After our agonising defeat to leaders Sport London E Benfica, it’s a straight two-way fight between them and Brentford for the one promotion place now.

However, we have already gained as many points (31) as last season with four games to play. Can we also better last season’s position of fourth?

The opposition 

Denham United formed in 1998 and are the largest all female club in the south east of England, They have an impressive number of teams across a large age range and their own ground, The Den, in Uxbridge. They spent eight seasons in the FA Women’s National League Division 1 South, two levels above, before dropping back down to the sixth tier. 

Previous meetings 

It’s been one win apiece this season. In December here at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Denham won 5-4 in the League Cup, but in February we won 3-0 at The Den in the league. Last season CCFC did the double with a 2-0 win away then 4-1 in our first competitive win at the Old Spotted Dog Ground. 

Form guide

Denham are 6th in the 11-team league table going into the last three games. They’re yet to draw a game all season and recently have recorded impressive wins over Hackney and AFC Whyteleafe.

Players to watch

Three players have scored double figures for Denham – Jenny Nagle (14), Niamh Cashin (11) and Annie Hewitt (10). Nagle and Cashin both scored twice in our cup game here in December.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay at the turnstile. Spectator entry will be via the Disraeli Road turnstile from 1pm with kick off at 2pm.

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

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. We usually have two beers on tap from Pretty Decent Beer Co – Gulp Pilsner lager and Old Scaffold Daze, our own IPA.

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.

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

You can buy a shirt, beanie hat, bucket hat, bobble hat, scarf, badge and tea towel 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.

Tickets for the CCFC men’s first team game versus Harlow Town on the last day of the season are limited in number and will be available to buy in person at the 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 request all spectators keep off the pitch before games and at half-time. They need to carry out safety pitch inspections before play begins in both halves, which are voided if people have gone on the pitch. Weather permitting, children can play on the pitch after the game.

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