BOLSTERING THE RANKS

27.06.10

Whyteleafe have a new manager, Worthing have adopted last season's Horsham YMCA squad, Ashford are capturing some of the league's finest to avoid a repeat of their exhausting struggle against relegation and Leatherhead are aiming for the Championship. Not to mention the changes at Metropolitan Police, Fleet Town and Chatham. Therefore, while the Ryman South Division has been buzzing with activity over the summer months, Hamlet boss Gavin Rose has been quietly preparing his side, adding an essence of quality to a team that finished last season in such a strong run of form.

The six-game unbeaten run with which Dulwich finished the last campaign, would perhaps suggest that Rose's youngsters were getting the grasp of a division that can be extremely physically demanding for the more youthful player. In fact, the Pink 'n' Blues proved they could tussle with even some of the more intimidating outfits; drawing with Worthing and beating Walton & Hersham and Fleet, although at times their fragility was exposed, with Sittingbourne, Godalming and Leatherhead all happy to exploit the limitations of the young Dulwich side. It is perhaps with these games in mind that Rose has dabbled into the transfer market, inviting some more experienced players down to pre-season training to help the Hamlet wonder-kids weather some of the harsher storms that they will face throughout the course of the season.

"I have managed to invite a few players down for pre season training, namely Francis Duku, Ryan Martin, Fiston Manuella, Omari Coleman, Ellis Green and Rob O'Hara. Along with various trialists that have been recommended to me and I'm particularly looking forward to trying to find an unknown talent or two over the pre season."

With the playing budget notoriously unattractive, it had been mentioned that Rose was looking to bulk out his resources with sponsorship and advertising deals. While it is yet to be revealed how successful this policy has been, the Hamlet boss seems relatively happy with the club's efforts towards these plans.

"Everyone at the club is trying their hardest to try and raise funds to support the team, which is very encouraging. Hopefully this will be ongoing throughout the season."

The Southwark News reported back in May, that Rose had been quoted as saying it would be "a miracle" if Dulwich were promoted on the current playing budget; a comment that perhaps worried those fans seeking a promotion push from their side this season. Rose however was quick to distance himself from such remarks and called for unity and commitment from all areas of the club if the side is to achieve its promotion ambitions.

"Those comments were relayed to me recently and were news to me. This is not the first time I have been misquoted by a particular local paper. As I said earlier, we are all trying to support the playing budget; our intention from Pre Season will be to get the club promoted. We will need committed players to do this, committed supporters, committed Club officials and obviously a committed management team."

Many would not have failed to notice the somewhat 'enigmatic' financial situation of rivals Tooting & Mitcham over the last few weeks, as new Terrors boss Mark Beard has been on a summer shopping spree and signed some highly impressive players. Some rumours circulating stated that Beard was looking to sign Dulwich's hotshot winger Sol Pinnock for the new look Tooting. Asked if Pinnock had contacted him regarding a move to the Imperial Fields, Rose simply said "No." He went on to reaffirm his desire for committed players and that any individual who did not want to be at Champion Hill could depart.

"Players are free to make their own choices on where they wish to take their future playing careers, especially at our level of football. Again, I am only interested in committed players who really want to achieve something for the club and themselves at the same time. All the players have been invited back for our first Pre Season training session on 3rd July, and from there, the shape of the side will take place."

© Richard Caldecourt