The bar was packed on Saturday as Hadley Property Group were officially unveiled as the new owners of Champion Hill Stadium & Dulwich Hamlet FC Ltd.

Well over 200 concerned and passionate Hamlet fans crowded into the Champion Hill bar after the match with East Thurrock United on Saturday. The majority were shocked to hear from Football Club chairman Jack Payne how the Football Club Committee had been kept in the dark by the powers that be who ran Dulwich Hamlet Football Club Limited regarding the swathe of debts that almost wiped out our proud Club.

Peter Bennison, Chief Executive Officer of Hadley Property Group made a welcome and positive statement in announcing that his company had cleared all outstanding debts, to the tune of over £100,000, and were working to ensure that the Football Club Limited will be able to sustain itself in the future. He also stated that the Club's long term future would continue to be in East Dulwich, though didn't offer any details of potential redevelopment plans for the site.

This, of course, is perfectly understandable given the commercial confidentiality of such developments and the fact that they have only very recently completed the purchase.

He did openly state that he sees community ownership of the Club as a way forward, and has pledged to talk to fans and hold meetings with interested parties.

The Dulwich Hamlet Football Club Committee welcome the input so far from all at Hadley. There is no doubt that without their financial assisatance in sorting out the monetary mire that occurred under the last Limited Company administration, the very existence of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club would have been threatened.

All at Dulwich Hamlet Football Club realise that supporters still have concerns about the future and ask for their continued patience and understanding. There will be further meetings and everyone hopes this will herald a new era that will bring a bright future for the Club off the pitch to match the one we are enjoying on it; coupled with a clear transparency where neither supporters or Football Club officials are left in the dark.