Clapton Community FC vs Halls Athletic takes place on Saturday, January 25 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 the Clapton CFC Men’s First Team. 2025 began with a 4-0 midweek win in the league cup, but the next game against FC Elmstead was postponed, followed by a free weekend.

It’s 20 games down, 14 to go in the SCEFL Division One. We lie in tenth but four points off the final play-off place. 9 of our remaining games are at home due to fixture list oddities, so it’s 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

Our hosts were formed in 1919 as a works team by J&E Hall and played on the site of the current Dartford FC stadium at Princes Park. They are playing at their highest level to date, following two promotions in the last three seasons. Nowadays they are run by a charity and are looking to move back to Dartford, as part of a proposed Atlas Park development. Former Ireland striker Tony Cascarino is among their former players.

Form guide

We’ve been terribly unlucky with fixtures this season as once again we face the top form team in the division. Halls have five wins and a draw in the last six games to surge up the table and are just one spot behind us.

Previous meetings

We met earlier in the season at Halls’ current home at Erith Sports Ground, coming away with a 4-0 win thanks to goals from Fred Taylor, Joel Akuwudike, Louis Brown and Noah Adejokun. Halls are a different proposition now, though.

Players to watch

Zack Manning leads the way in the goalscoring charts with 11 Hall goals. However, they’ve recently signed Ryan Golding who has 3 in 2 games for Halls, having bagged 8 goals for Welling Town. Golding scored twice against CCFC earlier in the season.

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.

This is because of building work at the Disraeli Road end. The alleyway 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, 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 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 an 8-page 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