Clapton Community FC vs Faversham Strike Force takes place on Saturday, August 10 2024 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

It’s a second home game in a row on Saturday for the Clapton CFC Men’s First Team in their first SCEFL Division One campaign.

It’s far too early to look at the table after one game, of course, but Faversham Strike Force’s 5-1 opening day win shows they are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

It promises to be a tougher test than last Saturday, when CCFC just squeezed past Greenways 1-0 thanks to a goal from Fred Taylor and some last-minute saves from Jack Francis.

Opposition

A registered charity, Faversham Strike Force have enjoyed a relatively short but storied rise since founding as a youth team in 1999, so this is their 25th anniversary season. They’re now represented by over 50 teams, including a women and girls pathway from reception through to seniors, as well as disability and walking football. Charlton Athletic striker Matt Gooden started out in the youth set-up and his son is playing there now too. Strike Force only launched a senior men’s team in 2012, reaching Step 6 by 2021/22, where they have levelled out with two respectable lower/mid-table finishes, punctuated by placing fourth two seasons ago. Joining the Southern Counties meant leaving their original home, seven miles away in Sittingbourne, to groundshare with fellow SCEFL Division 1 side Rochester United 26 miles away. Two years ago, however, they were able to return home with a groundshare at Faversham Town’s Salter Lane. 

Form guide

Strike Force finished in 11th place last season and then enjoyed a decent pre-season where they beat Hollands & Blair 4-3, Metrogas 4-1 and Stansfeld 2-1 and lost 3-0 to Deal Town, 2-0 to Minster and 2-1 to town rivals Faversham Town. 

Previous meetings

None

Players to watch

Winger Marshall Wratten, formerly of Dover Athletic in the National League, and ex-Charlton Athletic striker Alex Willis, both scored two last Saturday. Forward Tom Barton, who joined the club eight years ago as a junior, netted 19 and assisted 7 from 23 starts last season.

Admission

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

Standard admission is now £5 (we are not allowed to charge less), 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 be open from 2pm until 7pm. We have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale. We have two beers on tap from Pretty Decent Brewery, generally a lager and Old Scaffold Daze, our own IPA. We also have reusable cups now.

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, please help yourself. There is no charge but feel free to put some change in the donation box.

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

The merch stall just inside the ground is open before the game, at half-time, and after the game. You can buy a beanie, summer scarf, badge, tea towel and a few more items. We are very low on shirts at the moment, though, but more stock is due soon.

We will have an 8-page matchday programme available at the entrance and merch stall, 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 too please.

If/when Clapton CFC wins a game, children are invited to join the players in their post-match celebration on the side of 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