Saturday sees the first game of what could be a massive 2023 for our fan-owned football club.
With the great news about our purchase of the Old Spotted Dog Ground dressing rooms, hopefully this will be one of the last ‘home’ games the men’s first team play away from London’s oldest senior football ground.
Geoff Ocran’s team are back on the Hackney Marshes for the second time on Saturday, having won a thriller against Cricklewood Wanderers there in October.
We will be on the show pitch right next to the Hackney Marshes Centre, which houses a cafe, bar and roof terrace overlooking the pitch.
Our visitors on Saturday, CB Hounslow United Reserves, were formed in 1987/88 as Richmond Rangers, changing their name the year after.
Their first team joined the Middlesex County Football League in 1994 and progressed through the divisions. They are now in the Combined Counties Football League Division One, a division above us.
Meanwhile their reserve team, who we are playing, have been in the MCFL for 20 years too and in the Premier Division since 2014.
We have met them three times before, with CCFC winning both home games in Walthamstow. Firstly at the Wadham Lodge Stadium 4-0 in 2019/2020, then an amazing 8-6 on the Stray Dog last season.
Our only visit to their Green Lane Sports Ground so far came last season and resulted in a 2-1 loss – we go there again in a month’s time.
Last season The Dragons were reprieved from relegation after finishing third bottom but they’ve improved significantly this time round, including winning the last two games on the bounce.
They’ve also only lost by the odd goal against league leaders Shepherds Bush (twice) and former league leaders Indian Gymkhana.
Match information
Clapton CFC vs CB Hounslow United Reserves is on Saturday, January 7 2023 at 2pm at the Hackney Marshes Show Pitch off Homerton Road, Hackney London E9 5PF
No tickets are required. As usual it’s free to watch but with donations welcome, with a suggested £3 for waged adults. We will have a mini programme available, pick one up for free, donations welcome.
The Hackney Marshes Show Pitch is next to Hackney Marshes Centre and is 18 minutes’ walk from Homerton (Overground), 20 minutes from Hackney Wick (Overground), 21 minutes from Leyton (Central), 24 from Stratford International (DLR), Hackney Central (Overground) and 30 from Stratford (National Rail/Overground/Elizabeth/Jubilee/Central/DLR).
The match will be on a roped off pitch with no cover so wrap up warm (or shelter in the bar/under the balcony if it rains!)