Dave West RIP

The South London footballing community was rocked by the sudden death of a Champion Hill regular on Monday

If you are a non-league follower from any club in South London and beyond it’s likely you knew who the familiar figure of Dave West was. Often pitch side with his camera equipment, he was part of the ‘unsung army’ of non-league snappers who did so not for financial remuneration, but for the love of the game.

Dave was a regular season after season at Champion Hill, along with many other local grounds that he loved to visit to watch his fix of football.

Hamlet fan & Committee member Mishi Morath said:
“ I’ve known Westie for more decades than I care to remember, it’s a cliché I know, but he was one of the humblest but also kindest blokes I’ve ever known. I dread to think how many games I’ve been to with him-not just Dulwich Hamlet, but football in general, ice hockey & rugby league. To say his sudden death is a shock is an understatement.”

His other footballing loves were The Trams from Croydon, where he was involved a lot more this season, having previously followed them before drifting away from there a decade or more ago. And he also supported Hamlet rivals Folkestone Invicta, the town where he was born, although he always thought of himself as a South Londoner at heart. His Football League love was further afield, being a Leeds United fan.

To his family, and friends who knew him, both at his other clubs & in the wider footballing world, all at Dulwich Hamlet Football Club offer their condolences.

Football Committee Chair Liam Hickey spoke sadly:
“Dave was one of those typical unassuming supporters who helped out in whatever way he could, at whatever club he was involved. He was a thoroughly decent chap, who I’m honoured to have known, as a fan of Dulwich Hamlet, Streatham ice hockey & the old South London Storm rugby league side. We will miss him here at Champion Hill, as many other clubs will miss him, especially at Croydon FC.”

This coming Saturday, 3rd February, at home to Metropolitan Police, there will be a one minute silence prior to kick-off in his memory, with his family at the match as guests of the Club.