Clapton Community FC vs Rochester United takes place on Saturday, February 8 2025 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.
It’s been one step forward, one back for the Clapton CFC Men’s First Team recently with home wins against Thamesmead and Halls Athletic and away defeats to Soul Tower Hamlets and Canterbury City. All those games have been against teams in and around the promotion picture, and so too is Saturday’s clash with Rochester United, who will go well clear at the top if they win their games in hand.
With six of the next seven games at home, CCFC are going to need to make the Old Spotted Dog Ground a fortress. Come on down and get behind the team.
The opposition
The club began life as Bly Spartans in 1982 playing Sunday football, switching to Saturdays in 1997 and changing their name in 2012. They stormed up the levels quickly and have been in the Southern Counties East League since its inception in 2013. Last season they secured their best ever finish in fourth but lost to Staplehurst Monarchs in the play-offs.
Form guide
The Spartans have the joint best points per game record in the division, along with Forest Hill Park. They’re on the same points as us, but with loads of games in hand on everyone, including a whopping nine in hand on leaders Canterbury City. They’ve won their last three in a row.
Previous meetings
In the away game earlier in the season, a close game with good chances at both ends was settled by two late goals for Rochester.
Player to watch
Striker Mack Reilly is the top scorer in the entire division with 21 in 22 games. (Our own Fred Taylor is third). Meanwhile winger Luis dos Santos, who scored both goals in our meeting in December, has 7 goals in his last 3 games. Both have played higher.
Admission
No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay.
Spectator entry is via the Upton Lane turnstiles, next to the Spotted Dog pub. 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. There’s also guest beer from Queer Brewing in Leyton, a queer and trans-owned brewery. They will donate 10p from every beer to a LGBTQ+ charity.
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 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.
Matchday programme
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.
Heads up it’s a bus replacement service to Forest Gate station this weekend due to engineering works. These are the walking times from alternative stations…
- 18 mins Wanstead Park
- 19 mins Upton Park
- 20 mins Plaistow
- 26 mins Abbey Road
- 28 mins Stratford
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
