Clapton Community FC vs FC Elmstead takes place on Saturday, January 11 2025 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

Come down to the Old Spotted Dog Ground on Saturday for the first league game of the year for any of the Clapton CFC teams. 2025 began with a 4-0 win in the league cup on Tuesday night for the CCFC Men’s First Team, and Geoff Ocran’s team will be looking for back to back wins against a good Elmstead side.

It’s 20 games down, 14 to go in the SCEFL Division One. 9 of our remaining games are at home and 5 are away due to fixture list oddities. We lie in ninth, eight points off the top and four points off the final play-off place.

It’s hard to predict much in this division, not least because of the managerial merry-go-round which has meant Sporting Club Thamesmead, Croydon and Forest Hill Park have much changed teams going into 2025. However, we may need to average two points a game to make the top five. Time to make the OSD a fortress!

The building works are still ongoing at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, and some of the match details may be different to usual, so please do read on…

The opposition

The club formed in 1958 as Elmstead Rovers and changed its name to FC Elmstead in 1964. Their distinctive scarlet and sky blue colours evolved when their original kit faded in the wash. The club badge is a Minorca cockerel. Former Elmstead players who have progressed into pro football include Colin Foster, Lee Martin and Grant Basey. They were promoted to this level in 2015, won the London Senior Trophy in 2021 and finished sixth last season, just outside the play-offs.

Previous meetings

It ended in a 2-2 draw at Elmstead’s Lower Road Sports Ground home earlier in the season. CCFC went behind but managed to claw their way back to 2-1 up through Noah Adejokun and Cameron Gordon’s goals, only to be pegged back late on.

Form guide

Since our meeting in October, Elmstead have secured good wins against Staplehurst Monarchs and Croydon, but defeats to SC Thamesmead, Halls Athletic, Soul Tower Hamlets and Bridon Ropes. It leaves them just below us in the table.

Players to watch

Former Lydd Town and Ashford poacher Kieran Shrimpton has eight goals this season – two of which were against us.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay. Spectator entry is via the Upton Lane turnstiles, next to the Spotted Dog pub, from 2pm.

We’re using the Upton Lane entrance because of building work at the Disraeli Road end. The alleyway between them is also closed. So please go directly to 212 Upton Lane, E7 9NP (What3Words: option.dark.limes).

Standard admission is now £5, 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 but paying cash at the entrance will be speedier for all, so if you can bring the right money in hard currency, we would appreciate it.

Food and drink

The Old Spotted Dog Clubhouse bar will be open from 2pm.

We have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale. We have two beers on tap from Pretty Decent Brewery, usually a lager and Old Scaffold Daze, our own IPA.

The Clubhouse is ditching single use plastic and switching to returnable pint and half-pint cups. Just pay a £2 deposit, which is refunded when you return the cup to the bar. If you’d rather keep the cup, you’re welcome to take it home.

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 please put some change in the donation box if you can.

We have crisps, nuts, and Hackney Gelato on sale in the clubhouse. Outside we have Simply Moreish Flavours, providing hot meat, vegetarian, and vegan Caribbean food, such as curry mutton, jerk chicken, vegan curry, patties and burgers and fries.

Hygiene bank collection

The hygiene bank collection is back at all home games, with the collection box at the 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 is open before the game, at half-time, and after the game.

We will have a printed matchday programme, pick one up for free, donations welcome to cover the printing costs.

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. In good weather, kids can also have a run round and a kickabout on the pitch after the game, but not when it’s muddy, please.

Dogs welcome

Spectators are welcome, in fact encouraged, to bring dogs to the OSD, but please keep on leads. It’s free entry for dogs.

Bikes welcome

There may be less space to leave your bikes inside the Old Spotted Dog Ground than usual due to building works. You can park your bike near to the main stand. 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 the rear of 212 Upton Lane in Forest Gate, London E7 9NP.

Forest Gate station (Elizabeth Line) and Wanstead Park (Overground) are about 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