The Old Spotted Dog Ground in Forest Gate is the oldest senior football ground in London.[2] Clapton Community FC were named tenants of the ground in September 2019, pending negotiation with the freeholder. The previous tenants Clapton FC and Hackney Wick FC lost the lease of the ground following non-payment of rent. Since June, 2020 the ground is owned and maintained by Clapton Community FC.
'The Dog' | |
Location | Forest Gate, London |
---|---|
Public transit | Forest Gate |
Capacity | 2,000 (100 seated)[1] |
Field size | 45 × 90 ft |
Tenants | |
Clapton (1888–2019) London Bari (2012–2017) Hackney Wick (2017–2019) Clapton Community |
The grounds were originally part of the Old Spotted Dog Hunting Lodge, famously used by Henry VIII. The lodge later became a pub, the Spotted Dog, still featuring parts of its original facade, is now a Grade II listed building [3] (although closed down in 2004 the structure has since fallen into disrepair).[4] The lands behind the pub became a sports ground, used primarily for county cricket matches before switching its usage to football.[5]
Clapton FC moved to the ground in 1888 after learning that St Bartholomew's Hospital had given up their tenancy.[6] The former Hackney club played the first match at the ground on 29 September 1888 against Old Carthusians, winning 1–0 in front of over 4,000 spectators.[6] The highest attendance at the ground for a Clapton match was recorded as 12,000 for an FA Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur during the 1898–99 season.[1]
Clapton's former status as one of English football's leading amateur clubs saw The Old Spotted Dog host a number of high-profile matches, including contests with, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax of Amsterdam.[7] Neighbours, West Ham, also used the ground as home to their youth and 'A' teams during the 1960s and brought their World Cup winning stars to feature in The Dog's first match under floodlights in 1966.
During World War II the ground was used as an anti-aircraft station.[5]
At the start of the 2019–20 season, Clapton FC lost the lease for the ground, due to non-payment of rent. This marked the end of their 140-year playing history at the site.[8] On 17 September 2019, it was announced that Clapton Community FC, a fan-owned club established in 2018, had been awarded the lease to the ground, allowing the new fan operated club to play there.[9]
On 24 July 2020, Clapton Community FC announced that they had purchased the freehold for the Old Spotted Dog and become the new owners.[10]
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