View From The Directors Box v Concord Rangers

For those who may not have been able to attend last week's game against Concord Rangers, or did not get a Programme, this is what was said

Good afternoon everybody and welcome back to Imperial Fields.

Welcome Concord Rangers
I would like to welcome everybody from Concord Rangers who has made the trip this afternoon and hope they enjoy the game and have a safe journey home. They are certainly a club with big ambitions who have made an exciting managerial appointment and some very strong signings.
I am writing this before our meeting with East Thurrock United and hope that we have got our first points of the season by the time you read this. If not, then we shall go again and trust in Gavin to get it right; he has never failed yet.
12th Man
As a I have said so many times, it is just as important now as ever to support our 12th Man Scheme. It is you that contributed who have ensured not only the survival of the club but also the continued growth. It is because of you all that we are now a Vanarama National League club.
Therefore, I hope you can all support the fundraiser taking place at the East Dulwich Tavern next Thursday 16th August. It should be a fun night with great prizes (more details can be found in the advert in today’s programme and on the club website).
Stadium & Board Update
In terms of our stadium,we are hoping that Meadowwill meet with the club’s Directors in September. I am also verbally advised, and have been promised a letter, that all the money owed to them shown in our accounts has been written off. That means that this club is now debt free and so an attractive investment opportunity for fans and outside investors alike.
I will re-iterate what I said in my notes for Wednesday’s game, the club is a victim of a stand off between the council and Meadow, both of whom don’t want to blink. They can’t even seem to agree that they want arbitration. I think I need to remind them that this continues to place a doubt over the club’s future.
As the custodians of the club, we feel it is right that we continue to talk to all parties and try to broker a solution that is best for Dulwich Hamlet Football Club. The interests of other parties are not our consideration.
We will be holding a Board Meeting at the end of the month and will be inviting some prominent Dulwich based business people to join the club’s board as we plan for a return to Champion Hill and the need to grow this business to be able to thrive in this new league. I will provide more details once this process is complete.
As the company Directors, we have some big plans for the site if we can secure a long-term return to Champion Hill, and these people we are inviting to join the Board have significant experience of running multi million pound businesses.
Admission Prices
We have also been looking the club’s admission prices to see if we can make any changes without upsetting the fan base. As you know we have the lowest concession price in the league but we believe with people living longer, and retiring later, we really need to move that concession up to 65 rather than 60.
Our initial idea for next season is to either offer a mid price between the £12 and £5 for those aged 60-65 or to gradually increase the price over 5 years, so raising the age to 61 and then one year each season until we reach 65.
I would welcome input from those who may be affected by the increase, and anybody else, to help us make sure that we do not disenfranchise anybody as we change. Please email me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or talk to me on a match day.
In future, I would hope to deliver this column as a Q&A with a fan so if anybody wants to be first up then let me know. Alternatively, if there is anything you want me to cover then please email me with your questions. If I can answer it, I will.
Finally, a call for more volunteers to help the club on a match day. You will help save the club a whole lot of money by volunteering so email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or see Shaun Dooley at the 12th Man stand if you can spare any time.
Keep the faith and thank you for all your support.

Liam