Football Club Chair LIAM HICKEY's end of year message

Liam, new to the role this season, had a column in our last home programme against Tonbridge Angels.

From the Chairman

Good afternoon everybody and welcome to our final home game before Christmas.
Firstly, I would like to thank all our fans, both old and new, for their support throughout 2016. It really is amazing to see just how many people this great club means so much to. I would also like to welcome all the ex-players here today; it’s always good to see you all and you are always most welcome.

Firstly, the bad news. It saddens me to see our reputation tarnished by the events of last Saturday against Royston Town. Whatever we may think of the behaviour of players or management from other clubs, there is never an excuse for those who are spectators to come the other side of the barriers. This regrettable incident will undoubtedly have repercussions for the club not just for its reputation but also for its bank balance.

In the first instance, the individual has been banned from Champion Hill until further notice and we shall be reviewing the security arrangements around the area of the team benches. This is likely to result in this becoming an area kept clear of all spectators, with stewards controlling access across the area at all times. We have always tried not to restrict movement but clearly we need to take action to ensure that this is a one-off incident.

Anyway, on to brighter things. I would like to give some personal thanks to all of the committee and beyond for the amazing work that they all do behind the scenes so please allow me to indulge in some personal written thanks.

I will start with John Lawrence who has become our Assistant Secretary to help with the immense workload that Club Secretaries now have to undertake which is too much for one man to bear. It also takes dedication, and no little time, to produce a programme every game that is full of great content and to make me and Mishi stick to deadlines

To Martin Eede, our Secretary, the best accolade I can pay him is that we always get things right and on time which means we never get those reminder letters from the various bodies we have to report to, or the fines that quickly follow.

To John (Primo) Leahy, well I just couldn’t do my job without you. A wealth of football experience, common sense and a great organiser of our boardroom hospitality. It is he that makes other clubs think so well of us.

Paul Griffin has really stepped up our game on social media and with Tom Cullen now overseeing it without being within the inner sanctum of the committee, I know we have the best team to promote our club to the world outside.

Mishi Morath & George Parnavelas must be the two best community engagers any club could want. Not just great ideas but the will to carry them through. That’s why we have such great relations with our Charity Partner, Football Beyond Borders, are renowned for our work on social issues and get new schools here every week to introduce children to live football. You truly are stars.

To Andy Greig & Shaun Dooley I would like to thank you for all the efforts to assist in every way possible, from putting up shelves, tidying up the cupboards or laying carpet to organising coaches and co-ordinating our 12th Man initiative. You are stars.
Outside the Boardroom, I have already mentioned Tom Cullen who is making such a real difference to our professionalism on social media but I would also really like to thank all those who do the jobs that mean we operate smoothly and make some money.

To Bill Azzi, an irreplaceable presence with the programmes who has even been known to turn up just to sell them and not then see the game. Also a big thank you to all those who have helped when he is not available.

Thanks also to our Supporters’ Trust who do sterling work and some of whom will shortly be learning the full remit of the Committee’s roles to help the transition to fan ownership and make sure that we have a bank of people with the skills to keep this club going. Also, I have to mention all those who help at the 12th Man Stand raising valuable income for the club; particularly Neil Cole, Alex Atack, Shaun Dooley and 'Dame' Ian Caldecourt.

To our team of 50/50 sellers who fill in for Mishi whilst he does some paid work, particularly Sarah Binns, thanks for all your efforts in the wind and rain persuading people to part with their money for 50/50 tickets.

Finally, on the field we continue to make progress under the esteemed triumvirate of our management team. We really are so very lucky to have forward thinking individuals who want to provide the fans with entertainment as well as winning football.

Merry Christmas everybody and don’t forget the next home game is New Years Eve kicking off at 1pm

Liam Hickey, Chair of the Dulwich Hamlet Football Committee.