Clapton Community FC vs Harwich & Parkeston takes place on Tuesday, October 1 2024 with a 7.45pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

After progressing in the FA Vase, but being knocked out of the SCEFL Challenge Cup, the Clapton CFC Men’s First Team play in their third and final cup competition.

The BBC Essex Senior Cup tie against high-flying Harwich & Parkeston is also scheduled to be the team’s final midweek home game of the season. It’s also the final game of a mad 10 days which will have seen 5 first team home games plus the Brentford away day.

But given there’s a blank Saturday next weekend and no Men’s First Team home game till November after this… why not come along?

The opposition

Formed in 1877, The Shrimpers have played at the wonderful Royal Oak Ground since 1898. They have won the Essex Senior Cup twice, and been runners-up ten times. They’ve also been finalists of the Amateur Cup twice, including playing in front of 100,000 at Wembley, and have reached the FA Cup first round seven times. They were founder members of the Eastern Counties League in 1935, where they are back again now. However, they spent several decades riding high in the Isthmian League from the 1970s, and also dropped down to the Essex & Suffolk Border League in the 2010s.

Previous meetings

None.

Form guide

Harwich top the table in the Eastern Counties League Division One North (the same level as us) with 9 wins out of 10 so it’s going to be a daunting task. However, they have been knocked out of both the league cup and in the FA Vase, so perhaps are concentrating on the league…

Players to watch

Striker Danny Garrad is averaging more than a goal a game so far. That puts him just ahead in the charts of Luke Mayhew, who bagged 27 goals last season making him the fifth top scorer in the division overall.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay. Spectator entry is via the Disraeli Road turnstile from 6.45pm.

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 6.45pm until 10pm. 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.

We also have hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Bovril) and water and squash to the side of the bar, please help yourself. There is no charge but please put some change in the donation box if you can.

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 shirt, beanie, scarf, badge, tea towel and a few more items. 

We will have a 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 around the ground after 6.30pm on week nights.

Map of the Old Spotted Dog Ground