Match preview // Clapton CFC Men’s First Team vs Enfield Borough // 14.02.26

Clapton Community FC vs Enfield Borough takes place on Saturday, February 14 2026 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, 212 Upton Lane, Forest Gate, East London, E7 9NP.

The Clapton CFC Men’s First Team go looking for a ninth straight league victory on Saturday against bottom of the table Enfield Borough. What better way to spend Valentine’s Day afternoon.

The home side will be clear favourites, but will need to guard against complacency. The winning run has to end at some point. Plus Enfield’s new manager and new players more or less have a free hit, knowing it’s the relegation six-pointers that will decide whether they stay up.

About the opposition

Enfield Borough formed in 2016 playing at Step 7 and won promotion at the first attempt. Their best performance in the FA Vase was reaching the second round with three wins. The Panthers groundshare with Wingate & Finchley but hope to return to the borough. The club has a post-16 academy in partnership with Capital City College and a big youth programme.

Form guide

It’s been a tough season for Enfield Borough, bottom of the table and losing six in a row by a one-goal margin before Olu Scott took over as manager. However, they have as many as 11 games in hand over everyone else.

Previous meetings

Just 10 days ago we won 4-1 away, with goals from Sam Cook, Andre Odeku, Louis Brown and Will Miller. Earlier in the season we met in the FA Vase, also winning 4-1 through Odeku 2, Nathan Cook and Jeff Twumasi. In 2023/24 we won at home 3-1 and drew 2-2 away.

Player/s to watch

Former Clapton CFC winger Troy Tizard-Cleghorn has recently signed for Enfield. Ex-Sittingbourne and Waltham Cross striker Steven Badibanga Kabungwe scored against us earlier this month.

Entrance – where and when

Gates will open at 2pm for a 3pm kick off.

Spectator entry remains via the Upton Lane gate, next to the Spotted Dog pub. 212 Upton Lane, E7 9NP (What3Words: option.dark.limes).

However…. it’s just a 30 second walk down the Walter Tull Way if you want to arrive via Disraeli Road, (E7 9JT, lifted.paying.influencing) instead.

Admission prices

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay at the turnstiles.

Standard: £5
Concessions: Pay what you can
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 you can for entry.

If you can afford it, however, please do pay the £5 standard price.

Public transport

There are 7 stations, on umpteen different lines, within walking distance of the Old Spotted Dog.

  • Forest Gate (Elizabeth) – 14 minutes’ walk
  • Wanstead Park (Suffragette) – 17 minutes’ walk
  • Plaistow (District/Hammersmith & City) – 19 minutes’ walk
  • Upton Park (District/Hammersmith & City) – 19 minutes’ walk
  • Maryland (Elizabeth) – 22 minutes’ walk
  • Abbey Road (DLR) – 26 minutes’ walk
  • Stratford (National Rail/Mildmay/Elizabeth/Jubilee/Central/DLR) – 28 minutes’ walk

Buses

These bus services stop on Upton Lane (St Georges Road stop or Stratford School stop, 4 minutes’ walk away)

325 (from East Beckton or Prince Regent)
678 (From Beckton or Stratford)

These bus services stop on Romford Road (Disraeli Road stop, 7 minutes’ walk away).

25 (from City of London or Ilford)
86 (from Stratford or Romford)
425 (from Lower Clapton or Ilford)

These bus services stop on Woodgrange Road (Claremont Road or Romford Road stops, 11 minutes’ walk away).

58 (from Walthamstow or East Ham)
330 (from Forest Gate or Silvertown)

Here are some even more detailed directions.

Bikes

You can park your bike on the fencing at the back near to the main stand and the toilet block. 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.

The Clubhouse bar will be open an hour before kick off with a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale.

We have Pretty Decent lager, IPA and cider on draft at £5 per pint plus a big range of cans.

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 and Bovril in the Clubhouse on a ‘help yourself’ basis.

There’s no charge if you bring your own reusable cup. If you need a cup, buy one at the bar for £1 then refill it as many times as you like.

Please make sure any children using the water heater are supervised.

Water

We have tap water at the bar, please help yourself. If you want a water bottle filled, we have a water fountain outside the new toilet block, or you can ask at the bar.

Food

Simply Moreish Flavours will be selling Caribbean food – meat and vegan options.

We usually have crisps, nuts, scampi fries and sweets on sale in the clubhouse.

Toilets

The new toilet block is now open next to the seated stand.

These are in addition to the toilets in the Clubhouse.

Merch for sale

The merch stall is open before the game and at half-time. The stall can be found inside the Clubhouse, on the stage. The merch stall is taking cards only at the moment.

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

Matchday programme

We produce a small (four-page) printed programme for all competitive Women and Men’s First Team home games. Pick one up for free.

The programmes are also uploaded to the website after the game for those who could not make it. An 8-page programme is uploaded for Men’s First Team games.

You can also buy a bundle of six random programmes for £3 from our website.

Cash or card?

Both cash and cards are accepted everywhere in the ground – entrance, bar, and food stall – except the merch stall, which is card only.

Paying cash at the entrance is 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 a new permanent collection point inside the ground.

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 during the winter. By March and the better weather, it will be fine for children to go on the pitch again.

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.

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.

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.