Time has been called early on the Hamlet’s favourite barman. The demise of Paul ‘Slob-A-Dob’ Hobdell, which somewhat expected, still came as a shock to his many regulars. The announcement was made to a stunned Rabble contingent, who marked with occasion by observing a short silence between two bells rung in quick succession. ‘Slob-A-Dob’, as he was affectionately known by all those who crossed his path and lived to tell the tale, was a loyal servant to the Hamlet in many capacities for a number of years. His role as ‘Miserable Fat Bastard Behind The Bar’ was one of his most enduring and his memory will last for many years, especially those who have tried to get a drink after eight o’clock on a match-day. His was the uncanny knack of spotting the danger of a large influx into the bar, at which point he could have the till cashed up, lights out and the area cleared within seconds. If he had been in charge at Hillsborough, the Liverpool fans would have been out before they realised that they were dead.
His was always a totally selfless role within the club and he thought nothing of helping the Isthmian League out of its regular financial straits. His ability to lose letters and forgetting to pay fines, ensuring that League officials would not go without, without a Caribbean holiday, without a new car.
His jovial wit will long remain with those on the other side of the bar. Wildean comments such as ‘I’m not serving you, the bell rang ages ago’ and ‘@?!& off, if you didn’t hear it that’s your problem not mine’ will surely be noting in the Oxford Book of Quotations in future years. Older fans and possibly committee members will be grateful for his ability to devise some of the most unusual cocktails to be served at Champion Hill.
His willingness to help the club in all its forms knew no bounds. At one point he even underwent a sex-change to play for Dulwich Hamlet Ladies in their crunch local derby with Forest Hill. He/She scored but was unable to prevent a 3-2 defeat.
Our thoughts and commiserations go out to all who knew Paul Hobdell, especially those he leaves behind (at the bar still waiting to be served).
His was always a totally selfless role within the club and he thought nothing of helping the Isthmian League out of its regular financial straits. His ability to lose letters and forgetting to pay fines, ensuring that League officials would not go without, without a Caribbean holiday, without a new car.
His jovial wit will long remain with those on the other side of the bar. Wildean comments such as ‘I’m not serving you, the bell rang ages ago’ and ‘@?!& off, if you didn’t hear it that’s your problem not mine’ will surely be noting in the Oxford Book of Quotations in future years. Older fans and possibly committee members will be grateful for his ability to devise some of the most unusual cocktails to be served at Champion Hill.
His willingness to help the club in all its forms knew no bounds. At one point he even underwent a sex-change to play for Dulwich Hamlet Ladies in their crunch local derby with Forest Hill. He/She scored but was unable to prevent a 3-2 defeat.
Our thoughts and commiserations go out to all who knew Paul Hobdell, especially those he leaves behind (at the bar still waiting to be served).
