Clapton Community FC vs Leatherhead takes place on Sunday, September 8 2024 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

No two ways about it, it’s been a disappointing and frustrating start to the season for the Clapton CFC Women’s First Team, somehow losing all the first three games (two league and one cup) despite arguably being the better side in all of them.

So it’s time to draw a line under that and restart the season – starting with newly promoted Leatherhead at home. This is the only Women’s First Team home game in September so come along and get behind the team.

The opposition 

The successful Mole Valley Girls U18s team became Leatherhead Women in 2020 and it’s been a rollercoaster since. The Tanners were promoted in their first season, relegated in their second, and promoted again last season, their third. In fact they also won the league cup and reached the Capital Cup final too.

Previous meetings 

We met twice two seasons ago, with Leatherhead winning the first ever competitive CCFC game at the Old Spotted Dog Ground 2-1 in front of 400 spectators. We later gained some revenge, winning 4-1 away in a game moved to a 3G pitch at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford due to the weather.

Form guide

No doubt our visitors will be buoyant after last season’s promotion, and they enjoyed a good pre-season including big wins over Abbey Rangers and Ascot United. That’s continued with big wins in the last two games – 6-0 in the league vs Richmond Park and 9-0 in the FA Cup at East Preston. They did begin the season with a 5-1 defeat, but that was against promotion favourites Brentford.

Players to watch

Megan Button scored 23 last season and also scored against us the season before. Kacie-May Harlow wasn’t far off with 17 goals last season. Many more of the team that spoilt our party two seasons ago are still involved too, while they’ve added some quality including former Fulham player Emily Bird.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay. Spectator entry is via the Disraeli Road turnstile from 1pm.

Admission for Women’s First Team games is by donation, with a suggested £5 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 be open from 1pm until 6pm. 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 just inside the ground near the turnstile. 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 shirt, beanie, summer scarf, badge, tea towel and a few more items.

For Women’s First Team games, we produce a four-page matchday programme available at the entrance and merch stall, pick one up for free, donations welcome to cover the printing costs.

Brentford tickets

We will also be selling Brentford away ticket at the merch stall. We have printed physical tickets on sale for the Clapton CFC block. If you can’t make it to buy a ticket, then buy a ticket online for a nearby block.

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