Clapton Community FC vs FC Romania takes place on Saturday, April 18 2026 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, 212 Upton Lane, Forest Gate, East London, E7 9NP.
It’s the final day of the 2025/26 season on Saturday and Clapton CFC still have a tiny chance of winning the Eastern Counties League Division One South title – and with it the one automatic promotion place.
Hutton will be champions as long as they win or draw away at Brimsdown, and fair play to them after going 23 games unbeaten, even better than our own 18-game run.
If they lose to Brimsdown we COULD overtake them, but only if we win AND there’s a nine-goal swing. So if we won 8-0 and Hutton lost 1-0, for instance. Fair to say that’s unlikely, but still it’s mathematically possible. It’s the hope that kills you.
FC Romania will certainly be no pushovers themselves – they need the points to avoid relegation and they are not the kind of team that gets a thrashing.
There’s another reason we’ll have eyes on the Brimsdown vs Hutton game because the home side need three points themselves to clinch a play-off spot. If they don’t win, Lymore Gardens will sneak in if they win themselves – and if neither do, Newbury Forest take that play-off place, having already finished their season.
Whoever makes it out of Brimsdown, Lymore and Newbury would then visit us in the play-off semi-finals at the Old Spotted Dog Ground on the following Saturday (April 25). If we won that semi (and given all three teams have beaten us at least once this season, that’s a tough ask) we’d face Coggeshall Town or Rayleigh Town in the play-off final the following Saturday (May 2) also at the OSD. And the winner of that would be promotion.
So it’s the final game, a chance to congratulate Geoff Ocran, his players and coaching staff for a fabulous season, an attacking game in prospect with two teams who need a win and a nice weather forecast. Plus that very slim chance that something unbelievable could happen. All of which means we expect it could be another big crowd.
Therefore please do arrive early, the gates and bars open at 2pm. Paying cash at the entrance is quicker.
As well as the usual Clubhouse bar, there are two outdoor bars – please see below for more details.
We now have a bit more room around to stand around the ground with new fencing being installed. We’re mid-works to make a wider path. The old fencing hasn’t been removed yet but you can stand at the fencing nearest to the pitch. Please spread out around the ground so as many people as possible can get a good view.
It would be good to get a bumper amount of donations for our hygiene bank collection – see details below.
About the opposition
Formed in 2006 by Ionuţ Vintilă, the manager for 16 years and still owner, the team name reflects the Romanian heritage of many players. Having started in Sunday football on Hackney Marshes, they switched to Saturdays in 2008 playing at Low Hall in Walthamstow. They entered the Middlesex County Football League in 2010, playing at Leyton Sports Centre, and quickly rose up the levels, through the Essex Senior League and by 2018 up to the Isthmian League, Step 4, but have fallen back down two divisions since.
Form guide
The Wolves have drawn the last two games, putting an end to a run of 11 defeats in a row which has dragged them into the relegation zone. Clapton are on a club record unbeaten run of 18 games – 15 wins and 3 draws.
Previous meetings
The away game earlier this season ended in a 3-0 win, although there was a touch of fortune as FC Romania had an early goal disallowed then Flavien Stierlen scored with a cross that sailed in. Sam Cook and Nico Bunduku added further goals. That was our first meeting.
Player/s to watch
FC Romania striker Cameron Thompson is their top scorer with 9 goals, with former Barnet Academy talent David Barbakadze on 8, while Ekow Amaquandoh on 7 has caught the eye and trialled with Fulham.
Entrance – where and when
Gates will open at 2pm for a 3pm kick off.
Spectator entry is 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)
Bikes
You can park your bike on the new bike racks just inside the Upton Lane gates. There is space for 30 bikes there. If further space is needed, you can lock your bike on the fencing at the back near to the main stand and the toilet block. Or there are various fences and posts outside the entrance.
Parking
There is no parking on site but there is free on-street parking on the streets around the Old Spotted Dog Ground.
The streets to the north and west of the Old Spotted Dog Ground (e.g. Disraeli Road and Margery Park Road) are in the Stratford North East controlled parking zone. Parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays and after 6.30pm on weeknights.
The streets to the east of the Old Spotted Dog Ground (e.g. the streets around Stratford Academy, St Anthony’s and St Bonaventure schools) are in the Green Street North and Upton Park controlled parking zones. Parking is free on Sundays and after 6.30pm on weeknights.
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 and will remain open after the full-time whistle for a couple of hours with a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale.
There are also going to be two outdoor bars – one alongside the clubhouse behind the goal, and the other by the seated stand on the Ham Park Road side (shown on the map below).
Keg and cans are available at the Clubhouse bar and the bar next to the clubhouse, while the Ham Park Road stand bar will be can only.
The indoor bar is for cash or cards, while both outdoor bars are card only.
On the kegs we will have lager, IPA and cider on draft at £5 per pint.
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 Clubhouse bar.
If you’d rather keep the cup, you’re welcome to take it home instead.
If you already have a returnable cup, please do bring it in and we’ll serve your drink in that.
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
Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food with meat, veggie 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.