Brand new opposition at Champion Hill tonight as Dulwich entertain Peacehaven & Telscombe in our first-ever competitive Isthmian League encounter.

You bet I arrived overnight. Over a few hundred nights in the Catskills, in vaudeville, in clubs and on Broadway. Danny Kaye

There are some who might compare the recent rise of Peacehaven and Telscombe to likes of Whitehawk and others of that ilk but the Magpies have a rich history in county football stretching back to their foundation in 1923. After many years as loyal members of the Brighton, Hove & District Football League, they achieved senior status in the early 70’s when they were promoted to the Sussex County League Division Two. They reached their first zenith at the end of that decade as they lifted their maiden Division One league title and through the 80’s and 90’s they added further silverware with six more Sussex championships, two Sussex Senior Cups, half a dozen Sussex Royal Ulster Rifles Charity Cups and the John O’Hara League Cup twice. However, the halcyon days came to an end in a dark period at the start of the new millennium as they slumped all the way down to Division 3 just two seasons after dropping out of the top division. However, the stay in the basement was short as they bounced back as champions of Division 3 in the 2005/2006 season.

The Magpies leapt back to the top division one three seasons later when, under manager Darren Guirey, they earned promotion as champions of Division 2. Two years later, they finished runners-up behind Whitehawk in the battle for the title, though consolation came in a 7th RUR Cup. The club continued to challenge for promotion to the Isthmian League, finally achieving that goal at the end of the 2012–13 campaign when the Magpies lifted the Sussex County League title for the eighth time in their history, bagging a further John O’Hara cup for good measure.

The rise was relentless and last term they made it back-to-back promotions winning Division One South at a canter racking up 101 points and overhauling Dover Athletic’s previous record total of 98 points in 42 games set in 2008. That cakewalk to the silverware was thanks in no small part to the 43 goals of striker Charlie Walker, a local lad who had been plying his trade with the likes of Shoreham and Lancing in his early days. However, Dulwich defenders will be relieved to here that Walker’s exploits in front of goal brought him to the attention of Luton Town who snapped him up in the summer.

However Peacehaven’s pulling power remains such that they have picked up the likes of defender Sami El-Abd and pacy wingman James Fraser from Whitehawk, boast former Worthing goalkeeper and renowned Travis Bickle impersonator Tony di Bernado between the sticks, erstwhile Burgess Hill Town skipper Lloyd Cotton in the middle of the park and the vastly experiences Jamie Brotherton up front. They were certainly not fazed by the opposition as the season began, a 2-2 draw away to follow promotees Leatherhead followed by a thumping 4-1 win over Tonbridge Angels, relegated from Conference South last season. However on Saturday they found themselves thwarted at home as Canvey Island inflicted their first defeat of the new campaign, Jay Curran taking advantage of a defensive mix-up to score the only goal of the game for the Gulls.

This evening’s game kicks off at 7.45 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

The turnstiles will be open from approximately 6.15 pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. As a very healthy crowd is expected, why not avoid the late rush and relax. Before the game enjoy a drink or snack in our cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

ADMISSION PRICES

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (UB40, Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services. PLEASE present valid ID)
• Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £2.00