Clapton Community FC vs Richmond & Kew takes place on Sunday, January 26 2025 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

After waiting seven weeks for a game, Clapton CFC Women’s First Team kicked off the new year with a 0-0 draw. As goalless games go, it was on the entertaining side however, including Egle Trezzi hitting the woodwork and Aimee Shaw having a goal disallowed.

It’s straight back to the OSD on Sunday as we take on Richmond & Kew looking for a similarly solid performance and a first win of 2025.

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 opponents

The club was formed in 1906 as St Anne’s Kew, changing its name in 1911 to Kew Association FC and then its current name in 2020. In 1996 they managed to find their own ground at Ham and they now have dozens of youth and adult teams. The women’s team was formed in 2021 and have enjoyed two promotions in those three seasons. Last season they pipped Leyton Orient, Comets and Tooting Bec to the one promotion spot. The men’s team joined the Southern Amateur League in 1925 so are celebrating their centenary.

Previous meetings

Earlier in the season, we won the away game 3-0, with goals from Maria Mendonca and Marta Boiro plus an own goal. That’s our only meeting so far.

Form guide

Richmond & Kew have beaten Actonians Reserves and Dulwich Hamlet Reserves and drawn with Leatherhead, all of whom beat us, and had a decent run in the Women’s FA Cup which agonisingly ended on penalties against Reading.

Players to watch 

Charlotte Close has scored 30 goals a season for the three seasons R&K have been playing. She has 11 in 7 games this season, putting her seventh in the division’s top scorers chart.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay. Spectator entry is via the Upton Lane turnstiles from 1pm.

This is because of building work around our usual entrance at the Disraeli Road end. The alleyway is also closed. So please go directly to 212 Upton Lane, E7 9NP (What3Words: option.dark.limes).

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.

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will be open from 1pm and stay open till after 9pm due to the gig from 6pm (details below).

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.

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. 

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 is open before the game, at half-time, and after the game. You can buy a shirt, beanie, baseball cap, scarf, badge and a few more items. 

We will have a matchday programme available, 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.

Dogs welcome

Spectators are welcome, in fact encouraged, to bring dogs to the OSD, but please keep on leads.

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 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