Croydon FC vs Clapton Community FC takes place on Saturday, September 7 2024 with a 3pm kick off at the Croydon Sports Arena, Albert Road, London SE25 4QL
It’s the fourth Saturday in a row that Clapton CFC Men’s First Team play away from home in South London (with one more the following Saturday too).
And the task couldn’t get much harder with a trip to early pacesetters Croydon. Having been consistently just outside the play-offs for the last few seasons, it feels like The Trams are on the up with a cup win last season and crowds up too (average 129 so far this season).
CCFC would have been top of the early table themselves but for Welling Town’s 99th minute equaliser from a free-kick on Saturday so we’ve not had a bad start ourselves. It promises to be a cracking game.
The opposition
Croydon FC was founded as Croydon Amateurs in 1953 to provide football at the newly built Croydon Sports Arena, where they still play. They reached as high as Isthmian Premier (tier 3) in the early 2000s but dropped down to tier 6 by 2019. Since then they’ve finished just outside the play-offs each season in their quest to bounce back up the leagues. However, the club did lift some silverware last season, winning the London Senior Trophy. They are not to be confused with the Stormzy-owned AFC Croydon Athletic.
Previous meetings
None.
Form guide
New manager Antonio Gonnella, who joined from AFC Whyteleafe in the summer, has had a storming start to life in the Croydon dugout. Their 4 wins out of the first 5 games has put them top of the early league table. In fact they’ve won the last 4 games without conceding a goal.
Clapton CFC meanwhile are a point behind The Trams but have played a game more.
Players to watch
Last season’s joint top scorer Ulrich Fischer is still with the club, while new signing Edd Mbango has two goals already since joining from higher division Snodland Town.
Admission
Gates open 1pm. Entry is £7 or £3.50 concessions.
Food and drink
Clubhouse will be open til late with Ireland v England international on TV after the game.
Food is available from the Griddle Guys and an ice cream van.
Directions
The Croydon Sports Arena is an 18 minute walk from Norwood Junction, in zone 4. It has fast direct trains from stations like Finsbury Park (36 minutes journey), St Pancras (27 minutes) and London Bridge (only 12 minutes). There are also slow Overground trains from Highbury & Islington via loads of stops in Hackney and Tower Hamlets.
For a shorter walk, you can catch a tram to right outside at the Arena’s own stop. It is just an 11-minute tram journey from East Croydon station.
If you’re driving, please note the Blackwall Tunnel is closed. Last time this happened, there were hours of queues on the Woolwich Ferry and Rotherhithe Tunnel and kick off was delayed, so make sure you leave in plenty of time.