DON'T FORGET OUR FANS FORUM TOMORROW NIGHT
Don't forget to join us in the Clubhouse tomorrow night at Champion Hill for our Fans Forum.
Our forums are the perfect opportunity to get up to date with what is going on at Champion Hill and have your voices heard.
Following feedback from fans, the forum will be led by Chair, Ben Clasper, supported by the board and club staff. We will give some general updates on the club and the season and address the most popular topics from the survey including the new stadium and match day experience but questions on any area will be very welcome!
The forum starts in our clubhouse at 19:30 and our bar is open from 18:00.
You can read Ben's most recent Chairman column from our match against Whitehawk here:
https://dulwichhamletfc.co.uk/club-news/chairmans-notes-new-stadium-update
We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible to Champion Hill.
Chairman's Notes | New Stadium Update
It’s been a long time coming
Eight years ago, this month relationships between the club, the stadium owners and the council reached their lowest point resulting in the club being forced to relocate to Tooting and Mitcham, triggering the countdown to the potential permanent loss of a South London football institution.
Being late to the arena it was clear to me that all parties had inherited a dysfunctional situation that was not of their making and it was that realisation that led me to take over the club in the belief that everyone involved wanted a positive outcome for the club and the community if a vision for the Champion Hill site could be presented that would benefit all concerned.
Eight years later that vision has taken its biggest step towards reality. Work has begun on the development that will help the council deliver on its commitment for housing and regeneration, return the club to playing in a stadium it owns and deliver a return on a long-term investment for the stadium owners. The prospect of an investment company realising a profit does not sit well with some but the reality is that local authorities do not have the funds to deliver the homes their growing communities need and without private finance housing shortages and affordability will only become worse and without the support of both the council and the stadium owners the club would not have been able to navigate its way to sustainability through a challenging few years.
But now is the time to look forward, the demolition of the first section of the ground has literally paved the way to implementing our planning consent and work has already begun on the preparatory work for phases 2 and 3 so there is no question of us resting on our laurels after completing phase 1. Our journey is now mapped out and we can look forward to taking, in turn, each of the following steps.
Phase 1: Demolition of Store Building and Site Preparation for Telecom Mast
Phase 2: Relocation of Telecoms Mast
Phase 3: Football Pitch and Stands
Phase 4: Stadium Building Construction
Phase 5: Demolition of Existing Stadium
Phase 6: Construction of Residential Accommodation and Kick About area and structures
While the direction is set the timeline does have a few gaps we are working to close but with phase 1 already under our belt we can finally stop asking ‘when will we start?’ and start thinking about when we will finish.
This is a homecoming
If there were not potentially serious legal repercussions to misleading our community I would have found most of the attempts to oppose or discredit our proposed development somewhat amusing.
Chief among the claims are the nature and status of the section of Green Dale Fields that will become our new pitch and terraces. Whether you believe it is a dangerous and derelict former astroturf pitch or a valuable resource for the local community, the one thing you cannot ignore is its origin as the home of our football stadium before our move to the current location. The flat playing surface and the steep grass banks are not a naturally occurring phenomenon they are the pitch and the terraces of Dulwich Hamlet FC of days past. Our development does not encroach on a park or re-landscape a natural resource we are developing a new football ground on the site of our old football ground. We are going home.
The history of Green Dale Fields has been one of sporting provision for many years and encompasses the areas owned by the Dulwich Estate and those owned by London Borough of Southwark. Their deterioration is not to be celebrated, the loss of tennis courts, football pitches and school sports fields over recent decades has resulted in a decrease in sporting provision without any commensurate increase in anything of comparable value to the community. The reports submitted by independent experts during our planning process concluded that the area was of no ecological value undermining any arguments that nature has benefitted from the absence of use by the community for organised sports. The club’s efforts and investment in bringing the Green Dale fields owned by Dulwich Estate back into active use have seen hundreds of local people participating in sport, this development will allow us to do the same again for another derelict section.
The area of Green Dale Fields owned by the council which was not part of our old football ground will remain untouched (again contrary to untrue comments from those who made misleading claims that the whole of Green Dale was being developed) and this development is a chance to protect those open spaces around the new stadium with the club acting as a willing partner to improving the ecological value of the area, delivering sporting provision on areas intended for that purpose while leaving other areas free for nature to thrive, hopefully better than it has to date.
Delivering on the promise of regeneration
Dulwich Hamlet Football Club is not just the emotional centre of the community on match days, we take our geographical position in the centre of our community very seriously and our staff and volunteers regularly experience first-hand why the regeneration of the area is so high on the list of priorities of our local residents.
We are currently the custodians of a large 18 acre site that runs from the entrance to Sainsbury’s on Dog Kennel Hill through to the top of Green Dale Fields that reach as far as the railway bridge between East and North Dulwich. It is an area with challenges, we have dealt with hate crimes, assaults, muggings, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour and the footpaths that run through our land are sadly considered unsafe to walk by many.
Attempts to improve the safety and accessibility of the area have been met with organised opposition. Fences have been methodically cut, additional lighting has been blocked, cutting back of brush has been violently opposed, all the recommendations of the police have been fought, leading to an increase in dissatisfaction within a majority of the community who rightly complain about the lack of management in the area and its impact on safety for residents. The club has felt in a no-win situation in recent years knowing that every effort to improve the area will be met by opposition and support in equal measure and I have experienced first-hand the abuse and threats when trying to manage overgrown areas to keep the pathways clear.
This development is a chance to lay all of that to rest and deliver on this council’s commitment to regeneration. We want people to feel comfortable in their community, to be able to walk from East Dulwich Grove to Dog Kennel Hill without fearing for their safety, we want the area to be served by a combination of sports facilities and new parks, we want a beautiful green chain to connect East and North Dulwich accessible to all, free from crime and anti-social behaviour. We want local residents of all ages to leave their homes and walk in any direction they please without worrying about which is the safest route.
It started with our will to deliver something better. The club wants to be at the heart of something positive not in the middle of an eyesore we can do little to fix without this development. This is a new stadium, new housing, a new park and a new start, it is, literally, a regeneration.
Delivering facilities for the community
In addition to delivering housing and security of tenure for the football club our scheme has been designed to deliver improved facilities in the new stadium and an improved environment in the surrounding areas:
- 60% increase in seating capacity for supporters who prefer to sit at matches.
- Improved accessibility and increased capacity for supporters with disabilities or other access requirements.
- Stepped terracing on all other sides of the ground to improve sight lines surrounded by a concourse to improve circulation and match day experience.
- Increase in match day clubhouse facilities to accommodate more supporters.
- Improved player facilities to meet safeguarding requirements and increase the number of teams who can use the sporting provision at the same time.
- New dedicated facilities to support local arts and cultural groups and activities.
- New dedicated facilities for functions and local community groups to use.
Beyond the stadium our goals for regeneration and increased sporting provision will also see us work to deliver:
- Continued investment in the sporting fields adjacent to the new stadium to further increase the level of access to the community.
- Development of the linear park to run from St Francis Park to the Green Dale Fields to regenerate one of the hardest to maintain areas of our community.
- Creation of the largest sporting facility open to the local community in the area with four full size pitches all serving different functions including the ability to support multiple sports.
Development schemes of this scale are a once in a generation opportunity and it is the aim of the football club to ensure we deliver the greatest possible benefit to the widest possible section of the population, increasing our work with local schools, sports teams and community groups.
As custodians of the club our objective is to preserve the football club for the next generation and enshrine its position as an active and positive participant in the community.
These notes origianlly appeared in the Whitehawk Programme.
Half Season Tickets On Sale For Christmas
Our half-season tickets are on sale now just in time for the run-up to Christmas and once again we are including an extra game in the ticket so they will be valid from this Saturday's match at home to Lewes and include the remaining 11 men's home league fixtures plus the remaining 6 women's home league fixtures.
That's 17 games for just £103 for adults and an incredible £44 for concessions to watch as much football as you'd like at Champion Hill between now and the end of the season. Tickets are available via the link below and our popular pay your age season tickets for fans aged 13-19 are still on sale as well.
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/SeasonTickets/SelectClubTicket?clubId=123&saleWindowId=17174
Season Tickets guarantee entry to every home league game and whilst crowds tend to be slightly lower in the run up to Christmas we return to sell-out crowds from the new year onwards.
A reminder that with no home Boxing Day fixture our festive football falls this side of Christmas this year with home games in December on Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th, Tuesday 16th and Saturday 20th before we take a break and return in the new year on Saturday Jan 3rd.
A busy few weeks for the Hamlet
Our men are at home every Tuesday night between now and the start of December as the Isthmian League season begins to hot up!
Tomorrow night we welcome Aveley to South London as they visit us here at Champion Hill. Tickets for that match are available via the link below:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=14123&isFromDashboard=True
Sunday afternoon our women return to SE22 after a week away as MK Dons visit Champion Hill in the FAWNL South East division. Tickets are available from the link below:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=15026
Our men's side then return to Champion Hill as Harrow Borough visit the Hill on Tuesday 4th November in the Velocity Cup. Season Tickets ARE NOT valid for this match. However, we are delighted to announce the return or our football for a fiver offer. Get your tickets below:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=15508
On Saturday the 8th November St Albans City visit Champion Hill for the 1st time since their relegation from the National League South. Tickets for our first home Saturday fixture in nearly a month are available here:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=15387
On Tuesday the 11th November Wingate & Finchley visit Champion Hill with Mark Dacey's side looking for another victory over the North Londoners. Tickets for that available:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=15388
A week later the men are back at the Hill and host Cray Valley (PM) on Tuesday 18th November in a rearranged league fixture. Tickets available here:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=15024
The following Saturday Hashtag United visit Champion Hill in our final home Saturday game of the month. The Tags have already visited our women's side twice this year picking up 2 wins and will be looking for a 3rd as our men's sides come up against each other. Tickets available:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=15390
Our 5th and final Tuesday night match at Champion Hill in a row has us welcome Brentford to Champion Hill on the 25th and tickets again are just £5! Season tickets are not valid, match tickets can be purchased below:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=15566
Our final match of November at Champion Hill as our women's side host Actonians in the FAWNL South East division. Get your tickets below:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=15027&isFromDashboard=True
COMMERCIAL MANAGER CLARE KEEBLE INTRODUCES THE HAMLET LINE-UP OFF THE PITCH
Every season I am blown away by the loyalty and generosity shown by our partners and every single person or company that advertises, sponsors or partners with the football club.
I would like to welcome everyone back for the 2025/26 season and over the coming weeks will be sharing more information about our current sponsors as well as introducing you all to some of the new partners, sponsors and advertisers that will be joining the Dulwich Hamlet family for the first time this season. The club wouldn’t be able to survive without the support that everyone continues to give – support that is very much appreciated by all of us at Champion Hill...
I am delighted to confirm that Defected Records, Rising Edge, Octopus Energy, Yonder and Virtus Partners in Construction are our shirt, short and training kit sponsors for the 2025/26 season...
Having started as the back of shirt sponsor in 2017, Defected Records upgraded to the front of shirt sponsor as soon as the opportunity became available. In 2022, Defected also enriched their support for ‘The Hamlet’ by becoming the first ever sponsor of the Tommy Jover main stand and have remained as the ‘front of shirt’ and ‘main stand’ sponsor ever since. Their rainbow slogan ‘In Our House We Are All Equal' sits proudly on display at Champion Hill for everyone to see when entering the stadium, sharing an important message about inclusivity and shared values...
"We’re proud to partner with Dulwich Hamlet FC as the official shirt sponsor for both the Men’s and Women’s teams. At Defected, we’ve always championed community, inclusivity, and culture – values that align perfectly with Dulwich Hamlet’s spirit on and off the pitch. This partnership is more than a badge on a shirt; it’s a celebration of music, football, and the communities that bring them both to life.”
WEZ SAUNDERS,
Chief Executive Officer, Defected Records
Continuing to sponsor the back of our shirts, as well as the six big banners at the Dog Kennel Hill End are Rising Edge. They have been sponsoring the club since 2022 and recently produced a special podcast about diversity which features our very own fan favourite Danny Mills. Isabel and Philippe can often be seen sitting in the main stand cheering on the team and have provided work placements within their company for some of our players in the past. Rising Edge continue to support the football club and have hosted several successful football tournaments and industry events at the stadium over the past few seasons which has generated extra income for the club and cemented our relationship with them even further…
“We are very proud of now being in our fourth year of supporting Dulwich Hamlet. Through DHFC’s commitment to its community, and its promotion of the fairness values of diversity and equality, we recognised ourselves. This alignment in values helps us positioning ourselves in our own market, defining our purpose and objectives”.
PHILIPPE GOURAUD, CEO, Rising Edge
A new signing for the 2025/26 season, Yonder – who offer premium debit and credit rewards cards to their customers – are our new short sponsors. Since 2021, they've been helping members across the UK discover the best independent experiences across food, culture, wellness and travel...
“Yonder is proud to be a new kit sponsor of Dulwich Hamlet for 2025/26. One of London’s most iconic non-league football clubs, with more than 130 years of history under its belt, Dulwich Hamlet is so much more than just a football team. Known and loved for its fiercely loyal and wonderfully diverse fanbase, Dulwich has long been a home for locals, lifelong fans and first-timers alike, standing up for inclusion, community and good times on a Saturday.”
SHANICE DAECHE, VP Marketing Yonder
Constantine the Octopus will continue to provide a vibrant splash of pink to our football shirt sleeves again this season following the renewal of the Octopus Energy contract. Octopus Energy also power the stadium with 100% renewable energy which helps reduce the club’s environmental footprint.
“Octopus Energy and Dulwich Hamlet FC share a love for community, sustainability, and bold moves – together, we're powering football with purpose. We're incredibly excited to be partnering with Dulwich for another season and can’t wait to see what the year brings!”
Aliya Khan, Product and Marketing Manager
Octopus Energy
Virtus Partners in Construction
Continuing to sponsor the training kit for all of our teams as well as the four big banners behind the goal at the Greendale End are Virtus Partners in Construction. This is the second season of a special five season arrangement, with Virtus having agreed to change the layout of our Boardroom as well as transform the top floor of our stadium's main building into a new event space. The new upstairs space is now available for hire and helps generate extra revenue for the Club by hosting lots of different events...
“We’re proud to be partnered with Dulwich Hamlet FC, a club that not only represents the spirit of our local community but also stands firmly for values that resonate with our own – especially the fight against inequality in all its forms. This partnership has allowed us to explore cross-industry similarities as well as enjoy sharing and learning from different experiences and expertise and is a reflection of our shared commitment to creating positive change. We look forward to continuing to build something truly meaningful together.”
BRANDON WATTS, Marketing Manager,
Virtus Partners in Construction
ALSO SPONSORING IN 2025/26...
Having been sponsoring the football club for several years now, Build Team continue to advertise on the Toilets Opposite stand as well as pitch-side for 2025/26. Dan, Sarah and their dog Biscuit are regular visitors at Champion Hill and have even designed a special pink and blue bar scarf with Build Team branding on it for their staff to wear...
“Proud sponsors of The Hamlet for over three years, our sponsorship has helped raised awareness of Build Team's brand within the local community and it has been a privilege to be aligned with such a diverse, inclusive and hardworking organisation. Grassroots football has so many benefits beyond the game itself; it brings people together, provides entertainment for young and old and gives everyone a sense of purpose – whether that be spectating, socialising or dressing up in 'Pink & Blue'! Personally, I love the walk to Champion Hill – and win or lose – I always know there will be plenty to talk about as we amble back home. One of life’s treasured pleasures.”
DAN DAVIDSON, Founder & CEO Build Team
A local sash window specialist company, Bespoke Wndows have been advertising with the Club for over twenty years making them our longest partner to date which has helped shape the football club into what it is today...
"Hamlet are one of the best things about
East Dulwich! Alongside Bespoke Windows,
of course!"
MURRAY SMITH,
Managing Director, Bespoke Windows
Continuing to offer a special 20% fan discount to Season Ticket holders, Supporters’ Trust members and fans wearing club colours on matchdays, MEAT Liquor continue to advertise on our Dugout. Founder Scott is a loyal Hamlet follower and usually watches the games from the club bar on matchdays...
“We’ve been sponsoring a Dugout at Dulwich Hamlet for a good few years now, and it’s something we genuinely love being part of. It’s not just about football — it’s the people, the atmosphere, the proper sense of community you get at Champion Hill. We’re proud to play a small part in that, and we’ll keep showing up, pints in hand, for as long as they’ll have us.”
SCOTT COLLINS, Founder, MEAT Liquor
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TEAM...
If you’re interested in any of the sponsorship or advertising opportunities available at Dulwich Hamlet Football Club or would simply like to come in for a chat and a tour to discuss the opportunities
that are available, please contact: Clare Keeble on 07712 208921 or
Address
Champion Hill Stadium,
Edgar Kail Way,
East Dulwich,
London.
SE22 8BD.
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