Hackney WFC was the first totally women-run team and the first out lesbian team in the country. It currently has around 100 players across its three teams. Their kit includes the club’s slogan, ‘Playing with Pride since 1986’, on the sleeve along with the progress flag and the black triangle which has been reclaimed by lesbians as a feminist symbol of pride and solidarity.

Hackney sit in tenth place, with better form away than at home. They had a good run in the FA Cup with wins against Southminster United, Wootton Blue Cross and Hertford Town. 

Earlier in the season, we won 3-0 here under the lights, with goals from Emily Link (2) and Marta Casanovas. Last season it was a 3-1 win at the OSD but we lost the return game 4-2 on the Wadham Lodge 3G. We also won 1-0 there in the Capital Women’s Cup. The season before we won 2-0 at their then home at the Douglas Eyre Centre in Walthamstow but lost the return game 2-1 at the OSD.

Ruth Caney has an impressive 8 goals in 12 games this season.

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. 

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.

It’s a replacement bus service on the Suffragette Line this Sunday, to Wanstead Park. These are the walking times to other nearby stations if you fancy an alternative route:

• 14 mins Forest Gate
• 19 mins Upton Park
• 20 mins Plaistow
• 26 mins Abbey Road
• 28 mins Stratford

Here are some even more detailed directions.

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.

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

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.

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.

The merch stall is open before the game, at half-time, and after the game.

While the building work is taking place, the stall can be found inside the Clubhouse, on the stage.

Most of the merch is also available to buy online on our store page.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Spectators are welcome, in fact encouraged, to bring dogs to the OSD, but please keep on leads. It’s free entry for dogs.

Take a look around our facilities.

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.