Support Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday

CAS Trust member (and Dulwich Hamlet Supporters Trust member) Darryl Chamberlain brings us up to date on events at Dulwich Hamlet:

Dulwich Hamlet have been a second team for Charlton fans for many years. Now a property developer is trying to put the Isthmian League Premier Division side out of business, and the Hamlet need help.

The Hamlet have been evicted from their East Dulwich home - Champion Hill - by US-backed investment fund Meadow which wants to build housing on the site and move the club to a an adjacent site just behind the current ground.

Meadow has thrown this tantrum because Southwark Council won’t approve these plans, which include very little “affordable” housing and building on cherished open space.

Along with evicting the Hamlet, Meadow has landed the club with six-figure bills that it should have paid itself, and has even tried to seize control of the Dulwich Hamlet name and trademarks.

Meadow is refusing to sell Champion Hill to companies who are willing to cooperate with Southwark Council - even though it could leave with a profit and some dignity tomorrow.

In the meantime, Dulwich Hamlet are now in exile at Tooting & Mitcham’s ground, Imperial Fields - and facing a very uncertain future. Southwark Council is hoping to force Meadow to sell up - but it would be better for everybody if Meadow just sells up, takes its profit, and leaves the Hamlet alone.

Hamlet fans are organising a Save Dulwich Hamlet rally and march on Champion Hill on Saturday 17 March. It begins at Goose Green, opposite the East Dulwich Tavern, at 12.30pm, and will end with a party in St Francis Park, next to the fenced-off stadium.

All football fans are invited - any Charlton fans will be made very welcome, and you may spot some familiar Valley faces there. (There’ll be plenty of time to get back to The Valley in time for the Fleetwood match - just take a train from East Dulwich and change at London Bridge.)

If you can’t make that, then the first league match at Imperial Fields is going to be a “supporters united” day - kick-off against Worthing will be on Sunday 18 March at 3pm. Again, all fans are welcome.

Charlton fans know than most the agony of being forced out of our ground - and the joy of being able to return home. Anything you can do to help a neighbouring south London club will be hugely appreciated by Hamlet fans.