We’re now in July which means pre-season friendlies can now begin ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The Clapton CFC Men’s First Team have a packed schedule with seven friendly games during the month. Geoff Ocran’s team will play one team from Step 3, two from Step 5, one from Step 6, two from Step 7… plus our trip to Madrid of course. Three of our opponents are fan-owned clubs, like ourselves.
The league season in our new division – the Southern Counties East Football League – begins on Saturday, August 3.
Due to reseeding at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, our friendlies are away from home until late July.
Saturday, July 6
The pre-season friendlies begin at Waltham Forest Borough, formerly known as Woodford East. They finished second in the Essex Alliance League Premier (Step 7) table last season. We’ve played them in the last two pre-seasons, winning 2-0 and 3-1. However, the Peacocks won in the only competitive fixture between the two teams, in the BBC Essex Premier Cup semi in March 2022. This game is at Mabley Green in Hackney with a 2pm kick off.
Tuesday, July 9
CCFC will then play a third annual friendly against Woodford Town, who finished runners-up in the Essex Senior League (Step 5) last season. Previous meetings have both been 1-1 draws. This game will be at The Woods’ training centre, Whitbread Sports Ground, with a 7.15pm kick off.
Saturday, July 13
The highlight of the summer will be the visit to fan-owned friends Independiente de Vallecas in Madrid, a double header with the Women’s First Team.
Saturday, July 20
The Men’s First Team will take part in the three-way Cheshunt Community Cup tournament at Cheshunt’s Theobalds Lane ground. That involves playing two games on the day firstly against old Eastern Counties League rivals Harlow Town of our own Step 6. We played The Hawks twice, drawing 0-0 away and losing 1-0 at home. A few hours later we’ll take on Isthmian Premier (Step 3) side Cheshunt for the first time. Along with FC United of Manchester last season, they are the highest level team our Men’s First Team have faced.
Tuesday, July 23
Our first game at home will be against Fisher FC of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier (Step 5). It’s our first meeting with the fellow fan-owned club.
Saturday, July 27
The final game of pre-season sees us host another member-owned club, Camden & Islington United. They play in the Middlesex County Football League Premier (Step 7) and finished fourth last season.
All fixtures are subject to change. Keep an eye on the fixtures page for more information.