INTERVIEW | Ryan Dempsey | Real Bedford | 27/4/25

• Interview
• Video

An emotional Ryan Dempsey reflects on our 3-1 victory over league champions Real Bedford and a brief look back at his time in the Champion Hill dugout here.

CUP FINAL UP NEXT: 

Our final match under Ryan will be on Tuesday 13th May when we play Arsenal in the Capital Women's Cup final. Get your tickets here.

ryan dempsey to depart Champion Hill after over 5 years in the dugout

I am sad to have to announce that Ryan Dempsey, our women’s first team manager has confirmed his intention to step down at the end of this season after five and a half years in the role. 

During his time in charge, the club, the team and the women’s game has gone from strength to strength and he leaves us in the position we all aspired to reach when we restarted women’s football, playing tier 4 football in the National League in front of crowds of a size and passion that have set a fantastic bar for what can be achieved in the game. 

I hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us on Sunday for what will be Ryan’s final league game in the home dugout and you will be able to read more from Brit Saylor and Ryan himself in the programme. 

 I’d personally like to thank Ryan for leading us through some incredibly difficult times which would have challenged the staying power of all bar the strongest of characters especially having to overcome the disappointment of being passed over for promotion despite finishing top in both covid-interrupted seasons only to bounce back and secure promotion via our league championship win last season. 

Hopefully we will still get to welcome Ryan and his family at Champion Hill who have themselves been fantastic supporters of the club and perhaps he will even still find time to play the odd game for the supporters’ team. 

On behalf of the club and the board, thank you Ryan. 

Ben Clasper, Chairman 

MATCH PREVIEW | Dulwich Hamlet vs Real Bedford | FAWNL | 27/4/25

Our match preview as we take on Real Bedford in the final match of the 24/25 FAWNL season. 

The Hamlet return to the Hill on the back of a positive result against AFC Sudbury 2 weekends ago. Jess Francis-Weir scored an early goal before the hosts equalised. 

This will be manager Ryan Dempsey's final game in the Champion Hill dugout as he announced his intention to step down from his role as 1st team manager following the conclusion of the 24/25 season. You can see what Chairman Ben Clasper had to 

Before that it was a dramatic Capital Women's Cup Semi-Final victory over Tottenham Hotspur. A double from Martha Goddard either side of a Spurs goal meant we booked a spot in the final to take on former south London side Arsenal on the 13th May at Uxbridge FC. Find out more here.

Real Bedford come into this having won promotion to the the top tier of the FAWNL (tier 3 overall) at the 1st time of asking. Their victory over London Seaward 2 weeks ago. In their debut season at step 4 the Bedford based side have secured 14 wins and 7 draws and will look to complete an unbeaten league run as they head into step 3 next season. 

It's the Hamlet's penultimate game of the 24/25 season and the final of a relatively strong debut campaign in the FAWNL. Memorable victories over Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium as well as an opening day draw with Norwich City in front of over 800 supporters' at Champion Hill. 

SQUAD NEWS: 

Asia Harbour Brown and Anna Jowle miss out due to being away. Summer Roberts is on track for a 25/26 return. 

MATCH CENTRE: 

Can't join us at Champion Hill? You can follow the match on our Match Centre here.

SUPPORTERS' GUIDE: 

Joining us at the Hill? Read our supporters' guide here.

SUPPORTERS' GUIDE | Dulwich Hamlet vs Real Bedford | 27/04/25

We're at Champion Hill for the final time this season as we host Real Bedford in the FAWNL. Here is everything you need to know in our supporters' guide. 

OPENING TIMES: 

Our turnstiles will open from 13:00 on Sunday. Entrance can be made via our main reception our through turnstiles 1-4. 

TICKETS: 

Tickets can be purchased online via Fanbase here.

END OF SEASON AWARDS:

We'll have our end of season awards for both our 1st team and reserves team after the match on Sunday. Make sure to join us inside the clubhouse from 18:00.

FOOD: 

Come&Go Souvlaki will be open from 13:00 and can be found next to turnstiles 1-4. 

DRINK: 

We've got 2 of our bars open from 13:00. Our main inside bar and out small outside bar at the Dog Kennel Hill End of Champion Hill. 

Our tea bar found underneath the main stand is also open from 13:00. 

COMMUNITY: 

We're accepting donations for the Albrighton Community Centre foodbank this weekend. Donations can be made at turnstiles 1-4 and our main reception. 

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME: 

Make sure to pick up a copy of our matchday programme as Ryan, Brit and Chairman Ben Clasper as well as our final 20 questions instalment. 

LIVE SPORT: 

14:00 - Bournemouth vs Manchester United - Premier League

16:00 - Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League

16:30 - Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest - FA Cup Semi-Final. 

MATCH CENTRE: 

Can't join us in SE22? Follow the game on our Match Centre here.

TICKETS: 

Ensure a quick and easy entry into Champion Hill by getting your tickets in advance here.