
Remembering Mishi
For those who didn't know Mishi, its that time of year again to celebrate his life and his love in life, Dulwich Hamlet FC.
He would have loved today as he always had a dream that one day we would see Dulwich Hamlet at Wembley. Never happened of course but we did get close a few times.
At least we got to play a league team in the FA Cup before he died.
For those who don't know Mishi or his reputation, he was one of Dulwich's most famous and passionate fans. He adored the club and everything about it. Even changed his name to include Dulwich.
He was one of the founders of the original 'Rabble' many years ago, when being anti-racist, anti-sexist and pro LGBT was beyond unusual and led to the Rabble having some lively discussions with opposing fans, racists and bigots.
Mishi did as much as anyone to make Dulwich the amazing 'Community Club' they are, and he was so proud to collect the awards that Dulwich got ahead of hugely bigger clubs.
It's almost a cliche now that every club claims to be, but without Mishi, I doubt Dulwich would be famous the world over for who and what they have become.
Mishi strongly advocated reduced prices for certain groups and there was a lot of opposition initially, but as Liam said, '50% of something is better than 100% of nothing'..and then years later we were getting crowds of 3000 in a relegation season. I know some older fans dont like the 'nouveaus' but Mishi was never one of them.
He took such pride that we were getting crowds which matched some league teams.
Mishi was also one of the founders of our supporters team and formed amazing relationships with Altona, PSG and Namur. He was also a huge groundhopper and had visited almost every Czech and German ground and had just started on Hungary.
Mishi was also one of the main leaders who fought to get the current Dulwich ground built against the opposition of the local NIMBY's who claimed that Lordship Lane would collapse. How wrong could they be?
Mishi was also behind the road name campaign for Edgar Kail Way. And of course he was also the writer the Edgar Kail song, one we adapted from an England fans anti IRA song!
He watched every level of Dulwich team home and away and he was so proud when his two nephews played for the junior teams and even prouder when Kalvin played for the first team too, including that horrible defeat to Leatherhead in 2011 in the play offs.
His dream was always to see Dulwich play a league team in the FA Cup, and then when we drew Carlisle at home and the BBC picked it. Sheer joy for Mishi Dulwich Morath.
He was of course interviewed on the pitch before the game and he told me before, he would get in an anti-Tooting jibe, and of course he did, reminding everyone of the huge thrashing game...
Mishi was a great poet too, and very often the only working class poet at poetry events. Many of his poems were about the Hamlet, much to the bemusement of most of the attendees.
This is why Mishi's name lives on with a yearly poetry competition in his name from St Anthony's school, in Dulwich of course and some of them are here today.
There is also going to be a book of his poetry published, hopefully in December with all profits going to the Dulwich Hamlet Trust of course and I hope many of you will buy a copy. Initial draft title is 'The Rabble Rouser'.
The last piece of the jigsaw is getting the new ground, with its new parks, community facilities and a decent percentage of affordable housing.
Then Mishi's ashes can go there and he'll be raising a glass of coke, no ice, happily forever.