Clapton Community FC vs Hoddesdon Town takes place on Saturday, September 21 2024 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

It’s been a five-year wait, but Clapton CFC Men’s First Team are finally back in the FA Vase for a second time and with a first ever home tie too. We play Hoddesdon Town in the second round qualifying on Saturday, September 21, after receiving a bye in the first. It’s an even more significant occasion as not only are Hoddesdon former FA Vase winners, it’s precisely 50 years since they lifted the trophy.

The FA Vase

We debuted in the FA Vase our second season, 2019/20, having just been promoted to Step 7. The run was short-lived as we lost 5-1 away to Step 6 side Wivenhoe Town, who were top of the Eastern Counties League Division One South at the time. The FA changed the entry requirements the following season so that only Step 5 and 6 teams can now play in the competition.

The opponents

Hoddesdon Town was established in 1879 and started playing at its current Low Field ground in 1882. The highlight of the club’s history must be winning the FA Vase at Wembley in front of 9500 spectators in the competition’s first ever season, 1974/75. In recent seasons they’ve flitted between the Essex Senior League and the Spartan South Midlands League but were relegated from the latter to the Eastern Counties League Division One two seasons ago. 

Previous meetings

We played The Lilywhites in two very tight games in the Eastern Counties League last season, drawing 0-0 at home and winning 1-0 away.

Form guide

After a decent tenth placed finish last season, four behind CCFC, Hoddesdon have improved further this season, sitting just outside the play-offs. That’s despite having played the first 10 games of the season away as their ground is shared with the town’s cricket team. Some eye-catching wins include 4-0 away at Cannons Wood and 3-1 at Dunmow Town.

Players to watch

Connor Bolton bagged 13 last season from midfield and is off the mark with two this season.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay. Spectator entry is via the Disraeli Road turnstile from 1.30pm.

Standard admission is now £5, concessions can pay what they want, and under 13s are free. A full list of concessions is available here. Thank you to Hoddesdon for agreeing these prices – FA Vase admission receipts are split between the two clubs.

Cash and cards are accepted everywhere in the ground – cash is quicker at the turnstile to help prevent queues but card quicker elsewhere.

Documentary premiere

Clapton CFC is the subject of a new documentary called ‘This Club Belongs To You And Me’ which will be screened in the OSD clubhouse before the game.

The film by Voices. Media will cover the political and community ethos of the club and ‘how it has become a beacon of hope for football fans’.

The OSD gates and bar will open early at 1.30pm so that fans can get settled with a refreshment when the documentary begins at 1.45pm. Runtime is 30 minutes.

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will be open from 1.30pm.

The rules for FA Vase games are slightly different because no cans, as well as glass, can be taken outside of the Clubhouse. So we will be serving in plastic only -we do have reusable plastic cups.

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 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, 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 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.

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