Clapton Community FC vs Ashford United takes place on Sunday, January 25 2026 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, 212 Upton Lane, Forest Gate, East London, E7 9NP.
Finally – the CCFC Women’s First Team play their first game of 2026. In fact it’s the first game for 39 days due to the fixture schedule, rather than the weather. To add to the list of firsts, this will be the first time we host Ashford United in the league after several classic cup ties.
Sat in fifth place in the table, hopefully Alice Sharpe’s team can shake off the rustiness from the winter break and try to chase down just those above. There are just 10 games left of the season, with just 5 of them at home.
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, but were relegated after two seasons at tier 5.
Form guide
Ashford ended 2025 with back to back wins against Soccer Elite Football Academy and Richmond & Kew to move up to ninth place in the table.
Previous meetings
We won the away game 4-1 earlier in the season thanks to a Leigha Bradding-Butler hat-trick and one for Maria Mendonca. Last season, we recorded our first victory against the Nuts & Bolts, 3-0 in the L&SERWFL Trophy. In November 2022, a then capacity home crowd of 500 saw us lose 2-1 in the Women’s FA Cup, Annie Lyons scoring our goal. 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.
Entrance – where and when
Gates will open at 1pm for a 2pm 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)
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
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. 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.
