DULL? HAMLET

.I'm not a million miles from Dulwich this evening, whose club Dulwich Hamlet, are playing away tonight at Macclesfield in the FA Trophy quarter-final following a postponed replay due to snow. The Hamlet managed a draw in the first game 2-2 watched by a crowd of over 2,800 at Champion Hill their historic home ground.

Manager Gavin Rose has given the club new life raising attendances from around 200 to 2,000 since 2009.

Pay what you like games have been attractive leading to four figure attendances, work in the community has given the club a higher profile, U13s enter free if they are with an adult, students, teenagers, NHS workers pay £4. Local schools are given family tickets, so mum and dad might spend money in the bar, clubhouse or shop. If they like what they see they might come back. Lots of mums are evident on Saturdays and all this was rewarded by the Non League Paper's award of Football Foundation Community Club of the year.

Last season the club played FC Assyria raising funds for refugees and they also host proudly games against the LGBT club Stonewall. Last Wednesday their juniors played against a team of youngsters from Centre Point, raising money for the homeless.

When they play on March 11th, be it in the Trophy Final or a league match, the team will wear purple kit to mark International Women's Day.

Next year the club celebrates its 125th Anniversary and the famous Pink and Blues will celebrate with a game in Germany against Altona93.

All they need is planing permission to build a new stadium, developing the Champion Hill ground. 

To support the club's survival visit www.dhst.org.uk and look for the support our stadium.......