Fear not, Gavin Rose IS still at the helm!

We are referring to the the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Team, or 'The Rabblers', as they affectionately call themselves.

The Supporters' Team began, for a 'one off' match, against a players & staff XI, in an end of season fun game, on the old Champion Hill Stadium pitch way back in May 1989, & from there we started playing matches against other supporters sides, & local teams in friendlies, ever since. We have entered many supporters tournaments over the years, and played in no less than TEN countries outside England, the most recent being our brilliant trip to Hamburg, back in July, when we forged a wonderful friendship with the fans of Altona 93, for the first time, in Germany.

Last season the team was under the wing of Mishi Morath, who has been part of the set-up since day one, but at the start of this season he stood down:

"It wasn't a decision I took lightly, but there was only so much time I could dedicate to running the side single handedly. I only came forward, after Mark Hutton & Mick O'Shaughnessy stood down the previous summer, to keep the team going. I could have continued & kept things ticking over, but wouldn't really have been able to have done it justice,I'm finding myself doing a few more things for the Club, & something had to give. I hoped someone else would step in, & am really pleased that both SHAUN DOOLEY & LESTER FORD have jointly stepped up to the plate to take over from me."

Hamlet Pitchero took the opportunity to ask a few questions to Lester; & then settled down to add some more with Shaun, who has been playing a lot longer, for the side...

So first, we talked to Lester:

You've come forward to run the side with Shaun. What made you offer your services?

"Although I'm a relative newcomer to the side, I just didn't want the team to fold, after so many years. It's been in existence for too long for it all to go to waste. The team has done a fine job in spreading the name of Dulwich Hamlet far & wide, and I want that to continue. I had to give it go, but wouldn't have had the time to do all on my own, so after chatting sbout it with Shaun, we've decided to give it a go,helping each other."

Simple question, as you're a team: Who's the daddy then?

I can't answer that until we've played our first game, though I'm sure quite a few of the squad will offer some suggestions!"

How long have you played for the side?

"I'm one of the relative newcomers, it was in March 2012, against Watford supporters. To be honest, I wish I had done earlier, I didn't really know anyone, & although I had heard of the side, wasn't really sure who to ask, & didn't want to take anyone's place. I didn't realise the team wasn't run like that, & everyone got a run out, regardless of who they are."

You're a latecomer to the team then? Who did you play for in the past?

"I used to play on Saturday afternoons, for a number of sides in the Kent County League divisions, so that's why I took so long to play, I've only started to become a Dulwich Hamlet regular in the last couple of seasons. To be honest, nobody ever asked, because they didn't know me,I kept myself to myself, really & didn't really get to know anyone properly until we went to Lowestoft Town in the league cup, & started chatting to people who were there. One of the first things I was asked was: 'do you fancy a game of football'? So I dusted down the old boots & loved it!"

You've already become known as the 'enforcer' of the team. How dirty are you?

" Filthy! And football is double filthy! But seriously, I've always played old fashioned 'hard but fair'. Supporters games aren't really played like that, the result isn't the 'be all and end all'. It's more about enjoying yourself, and if I catch someone nowadays, it's not me being dirty, just slower & older, I hope."

And, lastly, having said all that, taking over the side with Shaun, what do you understand about the ethos of the Supporters' Team?

"It's not like the steterotype of Sunday football, that's for sure! No, the important thing is everyone has an enjoyable game, & not feeling out of their depth, regardless of their age, or their ability. It's a strange mix, but it works. A great opportunity for absolutely anyone to pull on a Pink & blue shirt & have some fun."

And now here's what Shaun had to say:

What made you take over the running of the team, with Lester?

"One reason, and one reason only. We have a 25th anniversary to celebrate in a couple of years and it will happen!It would be a great shame if the team just stopped before reaching this milestone. Two of us doing it will ease the workload, it's a big job for one person to do on his own, as you will know."

So, I asked Lester the same: Who's the daddy?

"We haven't had our first real management meeting yet...we will take it from there!"

How long have you been involved with the side?

"On & off since it's inaugriation. The 'off' times were breaks during marriages & young children when it wasn't always easy to commit, but I've always followed the fortunes of the team, even when I didn't play. It's no different from the First Team, when you can't make games, you still follow the results, even if it's only the Supporters side."

So how long have you been following The Hamlet?

"About October 1983, I think my first game was a two nil home win against Leytonstone Ilford. I didn't go all of the games, & there was a period when I didn't get to Champion Hill much, but I read anything I could in the papers, & kept a scrapbook, even if i didn't go."

Which Hamlet First Team manager will you be modelling yourself on?

(Laughs & pauses...)
"Well I did like the carefree attittude of Frank Murphy. There's quite a long list to choose from.One thing for sure, even though I'll be alongside Lester, it won't be a Ryan & Browne scenario!Apart from them I would like to think you'll find a little bit of all of their managerial techniques as we run the side."

And what can you learn from previous 'Rabblers' gaffers?

(A long, slow intake of breath...an even longer sigh!)
"Some were rather spoilt from the choice of players they had to pick from, as people were younger, & perhaps, more talented players.It's a difficult one. My only aim is to ensure we get a team out for each fixture we fulfil & everyone gets a run out. Enjoying the day out and the social side as well. That's far more important to me than trying to emulate everyone else who has been in the hotseat before me."

And talking of the 'Rabblers' tag, I believe you are responsible for the nickname, which comes from 'The Rabble'(behind the goal)...

"Do you know what, I really can't remember...was it the state of us somewhere, being a drunken rabble?"

(Prompting)
It was a rainy day, away to Hoddesdon Town in the London Senior Cup,a certain supporter in shorts...

"Ah,oh dear! Bill Andrews!(Interviewers note: He was a Club Committee member at the time)That was the relegation season! If I remember rightly we met in the Greendale at opening time, the pubs only opened at eleven back then, kids are spoilt nowadays. It was a night game, and I can't remember why, but we were near The Monument later, & one of the players, John Collins drove past in his black cab! It was sardines on the tube to Liverpool Street in the rush hour, & I stripped down to my shorts, under my trousers, it was so hot. We lost at Hoddesdon, 4-2, & back then they were about three or four divisions below us. It was pouring with rain all night, but we stood behind the goal in the mud, & the 'furry hamster' as Big John Hugh-Jones, always called him, apparently looked over in disgust, & said 'look at the state of that rabble behind the goal!'. After that the name stuck, thanks to me in my shorts, Mishi trying to pull the net down to get the game abandoned, & another fan who doesn't go anymore, who we called Manic Mick, covered head to toe in mud, after he kept on slipping over! That is the game really where we all started pulling together behind the goal, and started friendships that last to this day."

Back to the Supporters' Team, then. Are you hoping to continue the proud tradition of touring abroad?

"To be honest, at this moment of time it's too early to see what direction we'll be taking the side, until I've had a good chat with Lester, to see what we are capable of. that's not to be taken as a negative, or as a no. It's just so as not to commit to anything yet. But we hope to go back up to Glasgow for the Queen's Park tournament at least."

You've been on a few tours in the past, yourself. While bearing in mind the old footballing maxim of 'what goes on tour stays on tour', tell us a little, have they been fun?

"Ha, ha! Well as you say, what goes on tour stays on tour! I'm sure you could write a whole book on them! But all the ones I've been on have been part of have been very enjoyable trips. It's a great experience for everyone, where you can all let down your hair, so to speak!"

Your co-manager Lester was a 'tour virgin', as the phrase goes, in Hamburg. Did he have a good time?

"I'm sure he did, but even more than that..he had very little sleep, yet still scored a hat-trick against the Altona fans. Top bloke to have on tour. Let's just say that he fitted into our touring regime very well & at times showed his qualities as a leader. Touring is a very important thing for the team, in terms of promoting the name of Dulwich Hamlet and for us lot to have fun as a team, whether abroad or at home in the British Isles. But it will be a long time before I knock baack Mexicanas again!"

Going back to yourself, Shaun. I do believe you're the only player from the Supporters' Team to ever play for the First Team. How did that come about?

"Ah, those were the days! It was in the early nineties, & the First Team had a weekend pre-season tour on the Isle of Wight. We played Newport on the Saturday, & East Cowes Victoria, on the Sunday. Frank Murphy was the manager at the time, & he got on really well with the fans. I packed my boots, as I thought I'd be cheeky & ask him for a run out in the Cowes game, as I guessed some of the First Team would be a bit 'worse for wear', shall we say, & the second match wouldn't be as strong a test for us, & not taken as seriously. He agreed & I came off the bench in the second half! The day before we were drinking with the Cowes player/coach in the Newport bar, & almost as soon as I came on I nutmegged him! That was as good as it got, but who can say they played in the same team as the likes of Lee Akers, Gary Hewitt, Frank Murphy & Carl Asabah? I can! After the game the 'Rabble' all mobbed me for photos & my autograph, with Gary Hewitt looking on from the steps of the changing rooms, shaking his head, muttering: 'They never do that for me!'; while an old boy fan of Cowes was overhead saying to his mate: 'I heard he used to play for Crystal Palace!'. I hope no-one else ever plays for the First Team, in a good natured way, I want to keep hold of that record!"

We've had some half decent players down the decades. Which ones stand out, as we get older?

"Well our loyal keeper Matt Hammond is still playing, maybe a little slower, but still pulling off some blinding saves. Defensively, Lucas Green was one of the best we had. His fiery nature would have appealed to the Lester way of playing football! Don't forget I missed a lot of seasons, through other commitments, cricket practice, & my dodgy knee; but a young Jamie Wyatt was quality up front. We'd get the ball & just lump it up to him as quickly as possible, as we didn't really play with a midfield half the time."

To finish, who is the team aimed at? How would someone join it?

"Just speak to myself or Lester. If you're not sure who either of us are, then just ask some of the usual faces behind the goal, at any game. We're not a closed shop, cliquey, or anything like that. Anyone can have a run out. We play rolling subs, our youngest lads are fourteen, & our oldest is 64! It's not about ability, it's about having fun, getting to know each other & making friends. Both within the team, & with the teams we play. So get in touch, any Hamlet fan can turn out. We want you to!"

Best wishes to Lester & Shaun, as the new custodians of the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Team...one of the oldest in the country, & almost certainly one of the most widely toured! Here's to the silver jubilee of the team in 2014, in their capable hands!