London Bari 2-3 Eton Manor
Old Spotted Dog
Att: 15
05/10/13
Going into the day I had a choice of around 8 games, but it was only at 1:20 I decided that my day trip to the capital would divert to Clapton via Stratford, for a long overdue visit to the Old Spotted Dog, home of Clapton FC and, since 2012, London Bari. Arriving at Forest Gate with a load of time to spare I made the fairly easy stroll to the ground, only having to ask for directions once. I can be forgiven for this, in that it is a very well disguised ground with the entrance positioned behind a derelict pub (with a mean looking guard dog) and a garage.
The ground is infamous in Non-League for the name alone. The reasoning behind the name is that it's on the grounds of the Old Spotted Dog hunting lodge used by Henry VIII, which turned into the aforementioned pub, which happens to be Grade II listed. Clapton moved in in 1888, the first game attracting 4,000, before a record 12,000 crammed in against Spurs in the 1898/99 season. For Aldershot fans the name Clapton is significant for a couple of reasons. The first is that they were our first ever league game as ATFC, a 4-2 victory at the Rec. Secondly this was the scene of our first ever defeat, I imagine in front of over 1000, but my research is providing no figures.
In its current form you really need to give the ground time to grow on you, literally in some cases. You enter in one corner, along side the tunnel. This side is, like the other three, overgrown. The only development a small stand for around 50 perched awkwardly on one side of half way. Following it round the far end is even more overgrown, providing me with a massive fright when I saw a big f*ck off spider crawling up my leg. There is a small section of elevated terracing in the middle. The opposite end is a path, with the small clubhouse to one corner. The final side a path, with a small scaffolding structure plastered in Ultras stickers, providing covered standing.
The game was enjoyable, mistakes making it an open game, with some crazy goals scored off every part of the body. I felt for the home goalie, when at 2-1 with around 10 to go, he saved a penalty, only for the the bounce to take it back over the line.
The ground is infamous in Non-League for the name alone. The reasoning behind the name is that it's on the grounds of the Old Spotted Dog hunting lodge used by Henry VIII, which turned into the aforementioned pub, which happens to be Grade II listed. Clapton moved in in 1888, the first game attracting 4,000, before a record 12,000 crammed in against Spurs in the 1898/99 season. For Aldershot fans the name Clapton is significant for a couple of reasons. The first is that they were our first ever league game as ATFC, a 4-2 victory at the Rec. Secondly this was the scene of our first ever defeat, I imagine in front of over 1000, but my research is providing no figures.
In its current form you really need to give the ground time to grow on you, literally in some cases. You enter in one corner, along side the tunnel. This side is, like the other three, overgrown. The only development a small stand for around 50 perched awkwardly on one side of half way. Following it round the far end is even more overgrown, providing me with a massive fright when I saw a big f*ck off spider crawling up my leg. There is a small section of elevated terracing in the middle. The opposite end is a path, with the small clubhouse to one corner. The final side a path, with a small scaffolding structure plastered in Ultras stickers, providing covered standing.
The game was enjoyable, mistakes making it an open game, with some crazy goals scored off every part of the body. I felt for the home goalie, when at 2-1 with around 10 to go, he saved a penalty, only for the the bounce to take it back over the line.