It was a case of 'oh so close', as The Hamlet did their best to stage the only non-league game in the South-East

A hardy band of fans were out of their beds before the sun had risen, to be at the ground for an eight o'clock start, in what was to be an ultimately in vain herculean effort to get the match played.

Brooms & shovels in hand, the large group of over 25 supporters grafted for almost six hours, boosted by the initial hopeful inspection by the
local non-match Isthmian referee. The snow plough worked it's magic, covers were removed, & any remaining compressed white stuff was cleared.

There were fans of all ages, men & women, who answered the rallying cry, the oldest being senior citizen Mark Hutton, the youngest two and half year old Archie Patrick, who insisted on braving the cold morning with his father Will, the little lad going to work with his own little spade!

Sadly, all in vain, even with fans using their initiative & getting an industrial hot air blower, over the parts that were still too hard. the vast majority of the pitch was certainly playable, but-quite rightly-the match referee had the ultimate safety of players from both sides to consider when he called it off, with much reluctance, just after half past one.

Dulwich Hamlet Football Club would like to thank every single person who gave up their Saturday to try to get the game on. The simple words 'thank you' are not sufficient to express the gratitude the Club owes you all.

And apologies to the fans of Maidstone United..we had every hope that we would beat the weather, & were extremely confident we would. We are not the sort of Club that wants supporters to make wasted journeys when they visit us. It is sadly, part of being a loyal non-league fan, which our fans will be able to relate to down the years, when they have gone to games with late postponements on their travels.

Dulwich Hamlet assistant manager Junior Kadi told Hamlet Pitchero:
"I know you spoke to Gavin earlier, & I can only reiterate what he said. We are gutted not to be playing today, we were looking forward to playing them, & the players were raring to go. But it probably was right in the end, as I don't think either side would have wanted any players injured in these conditions. I have so much respect for our fans for their loyal support, but after their work today, which all the players saw as they arrived, that respect has just gone up another notch, if that's possible."