Clapton Community FC, the Old Spotted Dog and supporter-owned football in East London are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, telling the story of fans who decided that preserving a football identity meant building a new club themselves.
Formed in 2018 by supporters connected to historic Clapton FC, Clapton Community was created around open membership, democratic control, published finances and equal voting rights. Chris Horwedel traces the boycott that preceded the club’s formation, the dispute over the future of the Old Spotted Dog Ground, and the supporters’ eventual purchase and restoration of London’s oldest senior football venue.
The episode also explores CCFC’s distinctive culture, from its internationally famous Spanish Civil War-inspired away shirt to its cooperative structure, community programs and commitment to keeping football affordable and accessible.
Along the way, the story touches on Walter Tull, East London football history, the Charity Commission investigation into the previous ground structure and the club’s rise through the non-league pyramid.
At its core, Clapton Community FC is a story about what happens when supporters stop asking who owns their club and decide to become the answer themselves.
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