What we've been saying....

On the 'Commercial & Community' front

Those of you who usually buy match programmes will have noticed that last night was a truncated issue, with no column from myself.
'Normal' service to be resumed on Saturday at home to Hendon, when they will be on sale, for the usual price of only TWO POUNDS.

Just over a week ago we hosted Merstham, apologies for the fact I didn't manage to share my notes with you, as I was on holiday, in the Netherlands for a few days.

Some of what I shared will be out of date, but if you didn't purchase a matchday programme, you may still want to see what I wrote. Here it is:

Good evening,
A warm welcome to Champion Hill tonight to Merstham, who visit for the first time as a Ryman Premier Division club. I’ve been there many times down the years, the first time probably in the early Nineties watching our youngsters in Southern Youth League games. I hope I call this right, but for me a club like Merstham epitomise everything that is good in non-league football. An outfit that has a long, old history-in actual a fact a year older than The Hamlet-but who have spent the majority of their time in local & county league football. Their history may not be as illustrious as ours, but they are every bit as important in the footballing world, in my eyes. And a shining model for all. A small ground, with not the greatest of attendances, but since when has size mattered? They live within their means, and have slowly but surely built up their stadium to suit all of their needs as they have progressed up the pyramid in the last decade or so. And now they are ‘reaping their rewards’ by playing Premier Division football. Not all clubs aim to reach the heights of the Conference or the Football League. Dare I say it, but there are many clubs who are generally happy at the level they are, or build sensibly to go up to their next level, as the Moatsiders have done. If more football clubs were as sensible as Merstham then football would be a much better place!

I’d also like to welcome back to Champion Hill their manager Hayden Bird..who most of you may not be aware had a short stint here himself. This was in the period before I joined the Club Committee, and his remit was to raise sponsorship & the like. As I say it was before I joined the Committee, so I can’t recall how well he did, but he must have done something right as his time here as his brief time is still talked about. He was soon lured away though by the constant pull of a spot in the dugout, which is why he’s in charge of the away one tonight!

Moving on, you might find a larger than usual group of teenagers supporting The Hamlet tonight…and that’s because they’re guests of the Club, all being part of the excellent FOOTBALL BEYOND BORDERS set up, which is a charity that aims to help youngsters through football. Just Google them, to find their website. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed, in fact I am sure you will be amazed at the work they do.

And the FBB brigade are back in the Clubhouse, here at Champion Hill, in two days’ time as the ‘Forward The Hamlet’ podcast team have put in a lot of work to arrange a benefit QUIZ NIGHT for them this coming Thursday 29th October, which is also being promoted by our Supporters Trust. And our Dulwich Hamlet Football Committee have also donated some great prizes for the raffle for the evening too, which includes a match ball sponsorship; a match sponsorship package; an individual player sponsorship; tickets for the forthcoming game with Leiston at the end of November; & a season ticket for the remainder of the season. So even if you think you’re not too hot with quizzes then surely that’s enough incentive to turn up.

Why not get a group of fellow fans, workmates, family or friends together and enter your own side? It’s only £3 per player, and teams can consist of up to five players. And don’t worry if you can’t get a full team together yourself. There will be plenty of teams that you can tag on to, or simply join a ‘scratch’ one on the night. All the fun starts at 7.30pm.

Finally, don’t forget that next Tuesday we are at home to Erith & Belvedere in the London Senior Cup. The Football Committee are more than aware that we’ve had a number of home games this season already, and that cup matches are not able to be included in our season ticket prices. We realise that going to all of the cup games can be quite an added expense to our loyal fans…so we have REDUCED admission charges for this match against the Deres by fifty per cent to only £5 for adults, with £2 for concessions. So, if you were thinking of giving this match a miss, please reconsider. We’d love as many of you as possible to come along in our quest to become ‘Champions of London’!

So see you all back at Champion Hill then.

Mishi Morath, (Dulwich Hamlet Football Committee, community initiatives)