Champion Hill was buzzing at the weekend, after a party of FIFTY German fans came over from Altona 93, in Hamburg, thanks to a Supporters' Team link up

Back in July our Supporters' Team went to Hamburg & had a superb time, with the highlight being a Supporters' match with the fans side of German 5th level side Altona 93, on their actual Adolf Jager Stadium. He was one of the great German footballers in the 1930's; & actually played against The Hamlet when Edgar Kail & co. were on tour there in the mid-nineteen twenties!

They returned the compliment by bringing a coachload of fans to Champion Hill, which lit the place up with their singing, drinking & flags! An assortment of skinsheads, punks, traditional denim jackets covered in football patches & other fans descended onto the Club Shop like a swarm of locusts to adorn themselves in our Pink & Blue scarves, & join our fans behind the goal to create a mass of noise, that helped all three points to come our way.

After the match they brought in their own music deck, to spin the tunes, & lead the party on into the evening. Fortunately there was no overnight rain, so the pitch held up enough for a shortened supporters' game, between the two sides. "The Rabblers", as the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Team call themselves, were honoured to be presented with an amazing unique banner, incorportating both clubs crests & colours, which you will see behind the goal at future Hamlet matches.

The game itself, was won by our boys, understandably, as we were not so weary as they were, from the long distance travelling & all night partying! Ian Gannon gave "The Rabblers" the lead, on the quarter hour mark, which was doubled ten minutes later when Louis Grater found the back of the net. A mere two minutes after that a lengthy free kick floated in by Terry Davenport failed to make connection with anyone, to make it three nil. Altona pulled one back, with a second attempt after the first was parried by Matt Hammond, but not cleared. As the game wore on, a little tiredness crept in, & our superior numbers, for rolling subs took it's toll a little, similar to what happened against us over there. The Dulwich lead was extended with a goal from Jonathon Glazebrook, & another for the fit youngster Louis Grater. The last, for our fans, was undoubtedly the goal of the game, an exquiste long distance chip from the boot of Ian Gannon giving their keeper no chance.Though if Ricky Laing's half volley from the edge of the box had gone in rather than rattling the crossbar that effort would have earned the plaudits. Before the end there was time for a late consolation for a final scoreline of 6-2 to The Hamlet; a sort of 'revenge' for our 13-8 reversal over though. Revenge is totally the wrong word though. This weekend was all about making new friends, & stengthening ones made in the summer. And that has without a doubt been achieved.

The new joint Supporters Team manager Shaun Dooley told Hamlet Pitchero, after the game:

"The game was played in the right spirit & there's wasn't one bad tackle, even with Lester on the pitch! It was great to recieve gifts from them, the banner is something special. And they seemed to love the half Altona, half Hamlet football gnome we presented them. The atmosphere on Saturday was something special, & I won't forget it for a long time".

His counterpart, Lester Ford, added:

"I agree with Shaun, it was played in a good spirit. Even I couldn't hurt them! We were the better team today, but then they were stronger over there. I hope the visitors all enjoyed it, they certainly looked as if they did."

Jan Stover, from their fanzine 'All to nah' was very generous in his praise, when we bade our farewells on Sunday evening, before they embarked on their 14 hour coach journey home:

"It has been wonderful. Everyone from Dulwich Hamlet have made us so welcome, we have had a great weekend."

Final word to Hamlet fan Mishi Morath, who made the initial contacts with Jan, when he met him on his visit to their ground in November 2010:

"It was an amazing experience, so many Hamlet fans chipped in to make it so wonderful for them. From the gnome, to the patches, to the posters,the little programme on the Sunday, to the Club for allowing us to use the main pitch. How many clubs would have let us do that? It shows how our Dulwich Hamlet family are unique. A weekend I will cherish for a very long time."