Club is looking to relaunch our successful scheme after a three year absence

The club are looking for volunteers to help resurrect up our successful 12th Man Scheme.

Originally set up by Shaun Dooley and Neil Cole during the 2012-13 campaign, the scheme has previously helped to add more than 20 players to our first team squad, as well as helping to pay the players' wages during our time in Tooting in 2018.

Since returning to Champion Hill, the scheme has been lying dormant, due to Shaun and Neil no longer being able to attend as many games, but the duo, and the club, are keen to resurrect it, and are looking for new volunteers to take the reins.

What is the 12th Man Scheme?

Essentially, it is a fund totally separate from the club's bank accounts that fans can donate to, which has in the past helped to sign an extra player or two a season during Gavin Rose's tenure as manager. Fans used to drop spare change into buckets during games at Champion Hill at the stand by the turnstiles, or make donations by standing order and entering competitions and raffles.

As we look to relaunch it, the scheme will be totally run online, where fans again will be able to make standing orders and contributions. Every single penny raised will go directly into the playing budget, for the sole purpose of bringing players into the side.

History of the 12th Man Scheme

Originally discussed during a committee meeting in the winter of 2012, Shaun then linked up with Neil to kickstart the campaign. At the time, the Hamlet were involved in a colossal battle with Maidstone United at the summit of the Isthmian League Division One South table, and it was agreed that by having extra funds coming in, it would help Gavin Rose's side maintain their push towards promotion.

Danny Carr was signed through it, the striker going on to net 25 goals in 37 appearances for the Hamlet during that season, along with goalkeeper Chico Ramos and defender Mathieu Boyer, all of whom played their part in the Hamlet winning the league that year.

Other key faces would join through the 12th Man Scheme over the next few years, such as Frazer Shaw, Rhys Murrell-Williamson, Ryan Moss, Aryan Tajbakhsh and Ben Chapman, and even fan favourite Phil Wilson's second spell was funded by fan donations.

In the first six years of the scheme, more than £90,000 was raised through the generosity of our fans, with more than 20 players signed for the first team through the scheme.

Aside from bringing in players, the scheme helped to pay for Quade Taylor's wages for the 2017-18 campaign, allowing Gavin Rose to keep five centre backs in what would be another promotion winning side. Upon our exile to Tooting, the fund was also used to help the club to continue to pay all the players' wages.

If you are interested in running the 12th Man Scheme for the club, get in touch with General Manager Mel Hughes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.