Clapton Community FC vs Camden & Islington United takes place on Saturday, July 27 2024 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

It’s been an intrepid preseason for the CCFC Men’s First Team this summer, roving from Homerton to Woodford, Vallecas in Madrid to Cheshunt. Now back on home soil, we’re set to complete our supporter-owned double header of friendlies as we welcome Camden & Islington United to the Old Spotted Dog Ground. 

Note there is a bit of a clash as the CCFC Women’s First Team are playing away at Enfield Town’s stadium at 4pm on the same day for the FSA Trophy.

Our fan-owned friends from south of the river, Fisher, handed us a lesson on Tuesday night with a handy 6-1 victory for the SCEFL Premier side. Although some of the damage Clapton suffered was self-inflicted, it was a timely reminder that the season is fast approaching. 

Camden & Islington, affectionately known as CANDI, should provide a different challenge on Saturday, as our players continue to re-acquaint themselves with the contours of the OSD. 

Opposition

Founded in 2019, CANDI appear to be treading a very familiar path to the one CCFC took into fan-ownership; Advised by the Football Supporters Association to launch as a Community Benefits Society (tick), enter a men’s team in the Middlesex Counties (tick) and a women’s side in the LSERWFL (tick). 

Just like us, they operate on a model in which each member has an equal share and voting right, meaning they are authentically 100% fan-owned. Their annual membership costs £10/£5 and is due for renewal on 1st August – you can join here.

The CANDI men’s 1st team finished 4th last season in the MCFL Premier, a division Geoff Ocran (and most of us) know well. They play their home games at Market Road, between Caledonian Road and Kings Cross, which last season bizarrely drew support from a large number of Borussia Dortmund fans ahead of the Champions League final at Wembley in May. 

Camden & Islington hit the national press earlier this year after their men’s Sunday team boycotted a cup game due to the misogynist team name of their opponents. As holders of the competition, CANDI’s forfeit shone a bright light on the sexism and misogyny that persists in grassroots football.   

Previous meetings

This will be the first time our respective men’s first teams have faced each other, although the Clapton Women’s First Team beat their counterparts 6-0 twice last season, and the Devs shared a victory each with another CANDI team.

Admission

Donate what you like for admission for this friendly.

Food and drink

The bar will be open from 1pm.