Clapton Community FC vs Harlow Town takes place on Saturday, April 20 2024 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

It’s been a long old season for the Clapton CFC men’s first team. Our first stint at Step 6 has featured a whopping 18 more league games than last season when we won promotion. Now it’s time for the last game, and it couldn’t be harder, against the biggest club in the division, Harlow Town. Tickets are sold out and there will be none on the door.

CCFC’s form has been hit and miss in the last couple of months, particularly as the injuries to key players have piled up, but we go into the final day with destiny in our hands. Win and we qualify for the play-offs. Anything else, and we’re relying on others. Whatever happens, it’s been a huge achievement to get this far and we have proved we are competitive at this level.

The opposition

Harlow Town FC formed in 1879, making them one of the oldest clubs in Essex. They joined the Isthmian League in the early 1970s and were there for the best part of half a century. They’ve had several headline-grabbing FA Cup runs, including to the fourth round in 1979/80 included eight wins including against Southend United and Leicester City, before finally losing 4-3 away to Graham Taylor’s Watford. Last season they were forced to withdraw from the FA pyramid last season due to problems with the 3G pitch, meaning they are prevented from being promoted this season.

Form guide

The Hawks have won 15 out of 18 games since our meeting earlier in the season, including the last 4 games on the bounce. Due to FA rules, they can’t be promoted this season but they will look among the hot favourites for promotion next season. They will no doubt fancy being party poopers on Saturday first.

Previous meetings

In the away game at the Harlow Arena in November, the spoils were shared in an entertaining but goalless draw in front of 377 spectators.

Players to watch

Three players are in the top 20 scorers in the division – Sheikh Ishaq Ameen on 19, Raheem Gray with 16 and Jack Zielinski on 15.

Admission

This game is all-ticket, a decision made by the Matchday Committee so they can manage the game safely and effectively as possible.

All 750 tickets (675 home and 75 away) have sold out. The home tickets were on sale at our previous five home games and in the members’ newsletter.

Any issues or queries with tickets (postal problems, collection queries, returns, etc) please email merch@claptoncfc.co.uk

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will be open from 2pm until 9pm (last orders 8.30pm). We have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale.  We also have reusable cups now.

If you want a pint, the outside bar next to the Clubhouse will be serving two beers on tap – Pretty Decent’s Gulp! Pilsner Lager and Old Scaffold Daze, our own IPA.

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.

Gig after the game

Don’t Worry and Scrounge will be playing from 6pm at the Clubhouse after the game and collecting money for Harlow Food Bank and Medical Aid for Palestinians. Match ticket holders get into the gig for no extra fee, but you can come along after the game just for the bands too for a donation.

Collection for Magpie Project

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

You can buy a shirt, beanie, bucket hat, scarf and badge on the merch stall. The stall is open before the game, at half-time, and afterwards, only.

We will have an 8-page 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.

Everyone is welcome on the pitch after this game – please avoid taking drinks on though.

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