Sorry all, this game has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch after a 9am pitch inspection.
It’s back to the Stray Dog for the men’s team’s first competitive game there since THAT title-winning game against FC Roast in front of 1266 people.
Geoff Ocran’s team were due to play Leigh Town in a BBC Essex Premier Cup game but ended up having to replay – and lose – the previous round tie away at Runwell Sports.
Thankfully the MCFL officials managed to squeeze in a replacement league fixture though the main Wadham Lodge Stadium pitch is in use by Walthamstow FC.
And so to our opponents, who thrashed us 5-0 earlier this season and looked possibly the best side we’ve faced, full of pace all over the pitch.
Since then they’ve risen to second in the league – but Clapton CFC have also strung four consecutive wins together to move into the top seven.
The Tons should be relatively fresh since last week’s home game vs Pitshanger Dynamo was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Cricklewood Wanderers have a short, but inspirational history. The club was formed in 2011 by a group of young people with help from homeless charity Ashford Place.
It is now run by Youth Engagement Solutions (YES), a charity which helps young people in education, employment, training, sport and health.
Unlike many grassroots teams, players don’t pay subs to play as they strongly believe in making football accessible to people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
They sponsor dedicated candidates through their coaching badges, providing finance, work experience and for many, a paid coaching role upon completion.
On the pitch, the men’s won promotion from the Middlesex County League Division One to the Premier in their second season.
Since then they’ve had some near misses from promotion with a second-placed finish in 2013/4 then third in 2017/8.
Last season however they finished bottom, winning just three games, but were reprieved from relegation.
This season has proved a completely different matter.
An impressed CCFC player-manager Geoff Ocran said:
Cricklewood will be up there at the top end of the table. They’re probably the best team I think we’ve faced this season when they beat us 5-0.
What I liked about them is they had pace and energy all over the park. We’ll need to find a way to beat them and hopefully gain revenge.
Match information
The game takes place on Saturday, November 23rd at 2pm at the Stray Dog, Kitchener Road, Walthamstow, E17 4JP.
The Stray Dog is the pitch to the left as you enter the Wadham Lodge car park. There is covered and uncovered standing.
Entry as always is free, but we welcome donations, with a suggested £3 for waged adults.
We have a range of merch on sale at all home games, including our away shirts.
Our full-colour matchday programme will be on sale for £2. There’s a different cover artist each time.
The cover for this programme is by Bessy, who is 16 and the creator of the “We Are The Clapton – Always Antifascist” banner you see hanging at home games,
Fusion Foods will be selling hot food at the entrance. They will have meat, veggie and vegan options and accept cards or cash.
Our landlords Matchday Centres run an outside can bar and a full bar inside.
Winter coat collection
With winter beginning to bite, CCFC are asking fans to donate old coats as part of the Wrap Up London campaign.
There will be a drop off point at the entrance. Coats and jackets of all sizes are gratefully received, but please don’t bring duvets, sleeping bags or other clothes as they can’t be accepted.
Once collected, the coats are sorted and distributed to other charities who make sure they reach those who need them — the homeless, refugees, children living in poverty and people fleeing domestic violence.
Magpie Project collection
At each home game we collect food and toiletries for our charity partner, the Magpie Project. They support mums and young children who live in temporary and emergency accommodation in East London.
If you have any of these to spare, please bring them to our collection point at the entrance:
● Toothpaste ● Toothbrushes ● Shower gel ● Shampoo ● Soap ● Deodorant ● Bags of rice ● Bags of pasta ● Breakfast cereals ● Washing powder
Directions
Wadham Lodge is about 20 minutes walk from Walthamstow Central station. Turn onto Hoe Street and follow the road all the way along (past the junction with The Bell pub) until Chingford Lane. Continue past Sir George Monoux 6th Form College and take the first right onto Brookscroft Road then left onto Kitchener Road.
You can catch a bus along that route too. The 357, 34, 97, 215 will all take you to the top of Brookscroft Road from Walthamstow Central. It will take about 12 minutes.
There’s also plenty of car parking space available at the ground.
Any more questions? Email comms@claptoncfc.co.uk,