Clapton Community FC vs Ashford United takes place on Sunday, February 9 2025 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.
It’s probably the biggest game left this season for the Clapton CFC Women’s First Team – our last shot of silverware in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Trophy second round.
However, the visitors are from a division above and have agonisingly beaten us in two big cup games before, so it will require a major upset for us to progress.
After last week’s game was postponed, we try again this Sunday. The game will go straight to penalties if level at 90 minutes and the winners will be at home to Hackney in the next round.
The building works are still ongoing on the alleyway behind the Old Spotted Dog Ground. We’re using the Upton Lane entrance only, with the alleyway out of action.
It’s the first of our two designated Football v Homophobia (FvH) games. Our captains will wear rainbow armbands and our players rainbow laces to raise awareness. The programme features articles from our players, coaches and volunteers. And we have a guest beer from Queer Brewing in Leyton, a queer and trans-owned brewery. They will donate 10p from every beer to a LGBTQ+ charity.
About the opposition
The team began as Ashford Ladies in 1971, enjoying plenty of promotions and cup glory over the following decades and even reaching the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals in 1973. In 2022 they became part of Isthmian League men’s side Ashford United. That season they won promotion to the London & South East Women’s Regional League Premier Division, the fifth tier, and survived at the level last season.
Form guide
The fantastically nicknamed Nuts & Bolts collected just one point from their first 9 games, but have turned the corner since and recorded a win and a draw in their last two games.
Previous meetings
We’ve played twice and lost narrowly both times. In November 2022, a then capacity crowd of 500 witnessed our third ever game at the Old Spotted Dog Ground in the Women’s FA Cup. Despite Annie Lyons’ goal, we lost 2-1. That same season, in April 2023, we met in the L&SERWFL Trophy final at Maidstone United. CCFC battled back from 3-0 down to level it thanks to goals from Teju Callisto (2) and Verity Phillips. That took the game to extra time, where Ashford sadly won it 5-3.
Player to watch
Bethany Senior has an impressive 6 goals in 10 games this season.
Entrance – where and when
Gates open at 1pm for a 2pm kick-off.
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).
If you forget and end up at Disraeli Road, it’s a five minute walk around the perimeter, via Salisbury Road and Margery Park Road.
Admission prices
No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay at the turnstiles.
Suggested donation for Women’s First Team games: £5
Concessions: Pay what you want
Under 13s: Free
Concessions include:
- Clapton CFC members
- Newham residents
- Teenagers (13 to 19)
- Over 60s
- Students and apprentices
- Trade union members
- Unemployed people and those on low income
- People with disabilities and health conditions
- Refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants
The concessions option is available to anyone who needs it. No ID is required to qualify for concessions, we will take your word for it. At the turnstile, just say that you are a concession (you don’t need to say which) and pay what what you want for entry.
If you can afford it, however, please do pay the £5 standard price.
Public transport
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
Bikes welcome
You can lock your bike on the fencing near to the main stand.
There may be less space to leave your bikes inside the Old Spotted Dog Ground than usual due to building works.
We are currently working on plans for a better bike parking and locking system – watch this space.
Parking
There is no parking on site.
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
Drinks
London’s oldest senior football ground has one of the best bars around, too.
We have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale, including…
On tap
- Old Scaffold Daze, our own IPA made by Pretty Decent Brewery – £5
- Gulp Lager, a pilsner from Pretty Decent Brewery – £5
Cans
- Red Stripe, Cruzcampo and San Miguel lagers – £2.50
- Guinness and Guinness Zero is back in stock – hurrah £3
- No/low-alcohol beers from Leyton-based Nirvana Brewery – £3
- Guest beers from Queer Brewing in Leyton, a queer and trans-owned brewery. They donate 10p from every beer to a LGBTQ+ charity.
Due to our licence, we ask that you don’t bring your own booze in. The profits from the bar are invested in maintaining and improving the grounds.
Returnable pint and half-pint cups
The Clubhouse has ditched 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.
Hot drinks
We have coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Bovril at the bar, please help yourself. There is no charge but please put some change in the donation box if you can.
Water
We also have water and squash at the bar, please help yourself. If you want a water bottle filled, hand it over at the bar and we will fill it up from the tap.
Food
Outside, Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food – meat, veggie and vegan options.
We have Pipers crisps, nuts, scampi fries and bacon fries on sale in the clubhouse.
You can also bring in your own food if you wish.
Merch for sale
At present we don’t have volunteers to open the merch stall on this day. If you can help, or you wanted to buy something, please email merch@claptoncfc.co.uk
Most of the merch is also available to buy online on our store page.
Matchday programme
We produce a printed programme for all competitive Women and Men’s First Team home games.
They are free to pick up but donations are welcome. If 50 or so people donate £1 each game, that will cover our printing costs.
The programmes are also uploaded to the website after the game for those who could not make it. You can also buy a bundle of six random programmes for £3 from our website.
Cash or card?
Either is fine. Cash and cards are accepted everywhere in the ground – entrance, bar, merch stall and food stall.
However, 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Map of the Old Spotted Dog Ground
Take a look around our facilities.

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.