Match preview // Clapton CFC Men’s First Team vs AS London // 25.10.25

Clapton Community FC vs AS London takes place on Saturday, October 25 2025 with a 3pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, 212 Upton Lane, Forest Gate, East London, E7 9NP.

It’s an intriguing and hard to call game at the OSD on Saturday as the Clapton CFC Men’s First Team host AS London.

A great run of form – 5 wins in a row in all competitions, four of them in the league – has taken CCFC up to third place in the table, just three points off the top with games in hand. That run has involved scoring 18 goals and conceding 4, so we’re on form at both ends of the pitch.

However, AS London beat us in the league cup earlier this season and are steadily moving up towards the play-off places themselves. And with their new signing, who scored twice on his debut last week, they potentially boast the first former Premier League footballer to play at the Old Spotted Dog Ground.

About the opposition

AS London formed in 1991 as Park View and originally drew players from London’s Ghanaian community. They joined the Middlesex County Football League Division One Central & East and won it in the first season – exactly like we did a decade later. Since then they’ve progressed through the levels and narrowly missed out on promotion again last season, losing in the play-offs. Last season was their first under their new name, which stands for All Stars London.

Form guide

AS London sit in 11th place, but with games in hand over all the teams above them. They’ve been in play-off form since new manager Frankie Sinclair took over three games into the season.

Previous meetings

Earlier this season AS London beat us on penalties here in the League Cup after a 0-0 draw in 90 minutes. We did the double over Park View two seasons ago, winning 4-0 at home then 5-2 away at their New River Stadium. 

Player/s to watch

Former Watford Charlton Athletic, Burnley, and 2012 Olympics player Marvin Sordell made his AS London debut last week – and scored two. Still only 34, he joined from Rayners Lane, two divisions up, where he bagged 6 in 13 goals last season. 

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. 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. Last orders are 10pm.

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

Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food with meat, veggie and vegan options.

We usually have crisps, nuts, scampi fries and bacon fries 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. 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 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.

After a game, in good weather, kids can have a run round and a kickabout on the pitch, but no adults 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. After a game, in good weather, kids can have a run round and a kickabout on the pitch, but no adults 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.