The Clapton CFC women’s first team round off another memorable season with a game at home to the title favourites Dorking Wanderers on Sunday.
We could finish the season anywhere between second and fifth depending on this result and elsewhere. Anywhere high up is a fantastic achievement in the debut at this level, particularly after reaching a cup final too.
It’s a great opportunity to show your appreciation to the team and coaching staff – and the game is pretty crucial in the promotion chase too.
Dorking started the season ruthlessly but stumbled as their fixture congestion caught up, giving Brentford a chance to pip them to the one promotion spot.
In recent weeks, they’ve bounced back to form, including a 5-2 win over Clapton CFC at Meadowbank Stadium home last month.
If Dorking win all their remaining games, they will win the title, so it’s all in their hands, but any more dropped points gives The Bees a chance.
We’d met Dorking once before, in the Capital Women’s Cup final last season, which we narrowly lost 1-0 despite the then division gap between the two teams.
Dorking strikers Cherelle Khassel and Gemma Shepherd are battling it out for top scorer, on 25 and 21 respectively.
Formed in 2020, the team have had lots of success already, including a promotion and that Capital Women’s Cup win.
Last season they were the subject of a BBC3 documentary Dorking ‘Til I Die, in which CCFC also makes an appearance in episode six. Their chairman is Calum Best, son of George.
Match information
Clapton Community FC vs Dorking Wanderers takes place at the Old Spotted Dog Ground at 2pm on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
Spectator entry will be via the Disraeli Road turnstile and gates from 1pm. Cash and cards are accepted everywhere.
If you have any further questions on the day, look for anyone wearing a pink hi-viz vest who will be happy to answer.
Tickets
You do not need to book a ticket in advance, just turn up. Entry to all our games is free, but with donations welcome. We suggest £3 for waged adults for competitive games. You can donate on the gate (cash is quicker, card also accepted) or you can donate online here.
Food and drink
As well as a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale, we also have coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Bovril, squash and water which are free, help yourself, donations welcome.
Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food – meat, veggie and vegan options.
Merch
We will have 100 copies of a mini programme available, pick one up for free, donations welcome.
We have a really small number of shirts left (4 home, 18 away, though some may sell on the day before too) which will be on sale. We should have stickers and and woolly hats on sale too.
Raffle
Get your raffle tickets and help raise money for club funds. The top prizes are:
- Annual membership for the Castle Cinema in Hackney. This includes 2 free tickets and various discounts.
- A Clapton CFC shirt of your choice
- £10 bar voucher for the Clubhouse to spend on what you want
For your chance to win, come down and buy a raffle ticket( or 10).
Pre and post-match entertainment
After the match, there’s DJ TRON and a live set by Music in our Underpants, a synth-punk covers comedy duo dubbed ‘The Bert and Ernie of punk rock’. Expect silliness, underpants, costumes and dancing! To cover the band’s expenses the Clapton Punks will hold a bucket donation. Pre-match – TBC.
Clapton Punks will be selling craft (tees, patches, etc.) in support of the Indonesian feminist collective, Needle and Bitch.
Toiletries collection
We host a hygiene bank collection at every home game. Our charity partners Magpie Project support mums and young children in temporary accommodation. They need:
● Toothpaste ● Toothbrush ● Shower gel ● Shampoo ● Deodorant ● Sanitary towel
The collection box is usually at the Disraeli Road entrance but if not will be in the OSD clubhouse area.
New tinned food bank trial
We have a box for food donations in the clubhouse for anyone to use, donate to, or collect for others. Anyone; members, volunteers, parents, players, builders etc are welcome to come & take what they need, when they need it.
Children welcome
Seeing dozens of children play on the pitch at our last home game was an amazing and uplifting sight. We just need to make a few tweaks as we learn how to make the best and safest use of our community space.
All children are welcome to play on the pitch at half-time but please stay on the half nearest to the clubhouse only. This allows subs to warm-up at the other end if needed.
Please also ensure everyone leaves the pitch as soon as the players return, and that everyone of any age stays behind the perimeter fence during the game.
After the game, children can play where they like on the pitch!
Prams and pushchairs very welcome of course, but please avoid blocking walkways.
Dogs welcome
Dogs on leads are very welcome.
Bikes welcome
There’s space to leave your bikes inside the Old Spotted Dog Ground, near to the outdoor toilets.
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. It looks like all lines are operating as normal.
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
