As we come to the end of the summer break and another season looms on the horizon, the dust has almost settled around Craig Edwards's promotion hopefuls, as they hope to banish the past memories of failed promotion that still linger on from last season.
Indeed, Mr Edwards has been busy dealing in the transfer market, replacing departed players and bringing in fresh blood to hopefully spark a Hamlet Championship assault capable of outlasting its promotion rivals.
However, despite the highly encouraging end to the previous season, the squad that came inches away from a play off spot has taken heavy losses, much to the disappointment of many Hamlet fans.
First Team regulars such as Shayne Mangodza and Seb Schoburgh have been deemed surplus to requirements and duly released, with Schoburgh resurfacing at former club Welling United, despite rumours that he had joined promotion rivals Kingstonian. The creative and cunning Alex Martin has also departed, joining Essex side Takeley. Our Austrian-born predator Henry Darko also looks set to leave the club, despite rumours that he may stay at Dulwich for some part of the season, before departing home to his native Austria. As mentioned previously, tenacious midfielder Jason Hawes, leaves for pastures new, as he heads off to the USA. As well as these casualties, recent news that Benson Paka will not return has reached the terraces of Champion Hill, the hole that the tigerish, composed midfielder will leave has caused concern amongst supporters. It has since been revealed that Paka will not be able to play football this season for any club. The losses list continues, with Dulwich having to prepare for the coming season without the services of the nimble and speedy Osman Sesay, left back Ricky Dobson, striker Claudio De Almeida and centre half Tom Ababio.
Much doubt is left over other players futures. Mark Cumberbatch was reported as training with Staines Town and featured in one of their Pre-Season friendlies, despite it being confirmed that he will not sign for Middlesex outfit, concern is sweeping through the ranks of Dulwich supporters as to whether he will return to Champion Hill or not. Steve May is also reportedly attracting interest from Ryman League rivals Worthing, although this rumour was partly quenched after the seaside outfit signed former Hamlet right back Justin Gregory. Dagenham & Redbridge winger Kraig Rochester is also the topic of many conversations, due to the hope that the mercurial and zippy wide man may return for a full season after his ruthless displays in Pink 'n' Blue during the final acts of the season. However, nothing has been stated from the club that confirms whether or not the ex-Leicester City man will return. A major worry for the Dulwich faithful was the absence of Charlie Taylor and although it is unclear whether he will return to Dulwich, it has been discovered that Taylor will be available for selection in two weeks.
But, despite the many players that have left the Dulwich ranks, a fresh battalion of personnel has filled the voids left by Paka and company.
Edwards has scoured the Ryman League and other divisions for determined hopefuls, eager to make the cut for this year’s squad.
With last years triplet of goalkeepers returning - Tim Roberts, Sheikh Ceesay and Jamie Lunan, little to no work was needed to bolster the Hamlets last line of defence. Nevertheless, Edwards has decided to promote young David Baldwinson from the Youth Team and give the Hamlet youngster experience in Pre-Season training and 90 minutes against Sussex outfit Horsham YMCA.
After the departures of Mangodza, Dobson and Sesay, a handful of defenders have been brought in to be viewed by the Dulwich management team. Peter Martin, previously of Fisher, has impressed with his energetic displays at right back and provided vital cover for the - at the time - unavailable Steve May. Dwayne Gyiman, a powerful centre half, joins from Greenwich Borough, as well as Canadian Kyle Graham, who boasts an impressive footballing history on foreign soils. Gyiman featured for Dulwich in the friendly against Raynes Park Vale and was in the squad that travelled to face Carshalton at the London School of Economics playing fields, while Graham was also present against Raynes Park Vale; he has since played against Sutton United and Horsham YMCA and has given cool displays. Trialist Rob Wilkinson has given a brief, solo appearance so far this summer against professional titans Charlton after joining from relegated Molesey. He replaced Peter Martin in the latter part of the second half and featured as a right back. Full backs Simon St Aimie and Falah Malazadeh are the final trialists, fighting for his place at Dulwich's back line. Simon was previously of Dagenham & Redbridge and East Thurrock United and made his summer debut against Horsham YMCA and also made the squad for the home game against Sutton United. Whereas, Malazadeh has featured in the games against Raynes Park Vale and Horsham YMCA, producing fine displays on both flanks.
With an almost complete annihilation of Hamlet's midfield from last season, much work has been done to rejuvenate this area over the summer, as Stanley Muguo and Daryl Plummer were the only recognised midfielders left. Fas Koroma has resurfaced for Pre-Season preparations and at the time of writing is Hamlet's joint top scorer for the summer friendlies with 3 goals. The mastodonic Junior Kaffo has become an ever-present in the build up to the season, being selected for every match squad so far. Central midfielder Kaffo has joined from Blue Square South side Bromley. Edwards has also raided Ryman Premier Club Boreham Wood for young Mauri Rivera, who looks to be an exact replacement for the departed Jason Hawes. The vivacious livewire had broken into the first team at Boreham Wood and had made several substitute appearances. A surprise transfer for most Hamlet supporters has seen the ubiquitous Sol Patterson-Bohner return after spells with Croydon Athletic and Kingstonian. Patterson-Bohner returns to the club having made
22 appearances in last season’s campaign. Marvin Hong also appears to be fighting for his place to succeed the Hawes & Paka in Dulwich's engine, after featuring in a 3 friendlies so far. After the losses of Alex Martin and Seb Schoburgh and the unclear future of Kraig Rochester, an injection of speed and imagination was needed to replace these losses. Four wingers have been brought in as reinforcements to Dulwich's scarred flanks. Tyran James makes his return to a Pink 'n' Blue jersey, after featuring in Hamlet's youth side a few years ago alongside the omnipotent Simeon Jackson.
After spells with Tooting & Mitcham, Chatham and Molesey, the former MK Dons man has boomeranged back to Champion Hill in the hope that he can repeat his defence-tormenting performances that he produced years ago in the youth team. Nick Ogbanufe becomes the second former "Dagger" this summer to arrive at the glowing gates of Champion Hill, after reportedly picking Dulwich as his destination and glowing praise from Kraig Rochester. Ogbanufe is a more recent acquisition for Edwards, however, his solo performance against Horsham YMCA left many impressed. The third wide man to check in at Dulwich is Erron Dussard. Erron joins after boasting a wide range of Semi Professional clubs to his playing history including Ashford Town, Lewisham Borough and Cirencester Town. Like Kaffo, Dussard has also been selected for every match squad in Pre-Season so far. At the age of 17, Tom Boloriniua becomes the youngest winger on Dulwich's 1st team’s books at the moment.
Boloriniua has also made an instant impact, netting a fantastic strike against Ryman Premier Giants Sutton United.
Dulwich's strike force has also seen some changes as well. With the imminent departure of Henry Darko and worrying absence of Charlie Taylor, fresh blood has been shot into the Hamlet's frontline. The mesmerising Laurent Hamici has stormed into the new look Dulwich's attack, after arriving from Bromley.
The hit-man's previous clubs include Croydon Athletic and Carshalton Athletic. Youngster Kevin Fox has also played a part in Dulwich's Pre-Season, giving firm performances against Horsham YMCA and Raynes Park Vale, however, a knee injury kept him out of playing against Sutton United.
From Surrey, Edwards has recruited two more strikers - Scott Simpson and Carlton Murray-Price, both previously at Chipstead and Corinthian Casuals respectively. Dulwich were also trialing another attacker before Pre-season games started, a player that was very familiar with Dulwich supporters. But, although Shawn Beveney returned for summer training in the hope of re-establishing himself in the side he left weeks previously, it was decided that Beveney had become un-employable due to his very controversial departure during the latter part of the previous season.
So there we have it. The outline of Craig Edwards’s new promotion hunters. The trialists will have a few more days to impress Edwards before the opening league game to Eastbourne Town at Champion Hill on the 16 August 2008, when hopefully their preparation will have paid off.
Indeed, Mr Edwards has been busy dealing in the transfer market, replacing departed players and bringing in fresh blood to hopefully spark a Hamlet Championship assault capable of outlasting its promotion rivals.
However, despite the highly encouraging end to the previous season, the squad that came inches away from a play off spot has taken heavy losses, much to the disappointment of many Hamlet fans.
First Team regulars such as Shayne Mangodza and Seb Schoburgh have been deemed surplus to requirements and duly released, with Schoburgh resurfacing at former club Welling United, despite rumours that he had joined promotion rivals Kingstonian. The creative and cunning Alex Martin has also departed, joining Essex side Takeley. Our Austrian-born predator Henry Darko also looks set to leave the club, despite rumours that he may stay at Dulwich for some part of the season, before departing home to his native Austria. As mentioned previously, tenacious midfielder Jason Hawes, leaves for pastures new, as he heads off to the USA. As well as these casualties, recent news that Benson Paka will not return has reached the terraces of Champion Hill, the hole that the tigerish, composed midfielder will leave has caused concern amongst supporters. It has since been revealed that Paka will not be able to play football this season for any club. The losses list continues, with Dulwich having to prepare for the coming season without the services of the nimble and speedy Osman Sesay, left back Ricky Dobson, striker Claudio De Almeida and centre half Tom Ababio.
Much doubt is left over other players futures. Mark Cumberbatch was reported as training with Staines Town and featured in one of their Pre-Season friendlies, despite it being confirmed that he will not sign for Middlesex outfit, concern is sweeping through the ranks of Dulwich supporters as to whether he will return to Champion Hill or not. Steve May is also reportedly attracting interest from Ryman League rivals Worthing, although this rumour was partly quenched after the seaside outfit signed former Hamlet right back Justin Gregory. Dagenham & Redbridge winger Kraig Rochester is also the topic of many conversations, due to the hope that the mercurial and zippy wide man may return for a full season after his ruthless displays in Pink 'n' Blue during the final acts of the season. However, nothing has been stated from the club that confirms whether or not the ex-Leicester City man will return. A major worry for the Dulwich faithful was the absence of Charlie Taylor and although it is unclear whether he will return to Dulwich, it has been discovered that Taylor will be available for selection in two weeks.
But, despite the many players that have left the Dulwich ranks, a fresh battalion of personnel has filled the voids left by Paka and company.
Edwards has scoured the Ryman League and other divisions for determined hopefuls, eager to make the cut for this year’s squad.
With last years triplet of goalkeepers returning - Tim Roberts, Sheikh Ceesay and Jamie Lunan, little to no work was needed to bolster the Hamlets last line of defence. Nevertheless, Edwards has decided to promote young David Baldwinson from the Youth Team and give the Hamlet youngster experience in Pre-Season training and 90 minutes against Sussex outfit Horsham YMCA.
After the departures of Mangodza, Dobson and Sesay, a handful of defenders have been brought in to be viewed by the Dulwich management team. Peter Martin, previously of Fisher, has impressed with his energetic displays at right back and provided vital cover for the - at the time - unavailable Steve May. Dwayne Gyiman, a powerful centre half, joins from Greenwich Borough, as well as Canadian Kyle Graham, who boasts an impressive footballing history on foreign soils. Gyiman featured for Dulwich in the friendly against Raynes Park Vale and was in the squad that travelled to face Carshalton at the London School of Economics playing fields, while Graham was also present against Raynes Park Vale; he has since played against Sutton United and Horsham YMCA and has given cool displays. Trialist Rob Wilkinson has given a brief, solo appearance so far this summer against professional titans Charlton after joining from relegated Molesey. He replaced Peter Martin in the latter part of the second half and featured as a right back. Full backs Simon St Aimie and Falah Malazadeh are the final trialists, fighting for his place at Dulwich's back line. Simon was previously of Dagenham & Redbridge and East Thurrock United and made his summer debut against Horsham YMCA and also made the squad for the home game against Sutton United. Whereas, Malazadeh has featured in the games against Raynes Park Vale and Horsham YMCA, producing fine displays on both flanks.
With an almost complete annihilation of Hamlet's midfield from last season, much work has been done to rejuvenate this area over the summer, as Stanley Muguo and Daryl Plummer were the only recognised midfielders left. Fas Koroma has resurfaced for Pre-Season preparations and at the time of writing is Hamlet's joint top scorer for the summer friendlies with 3 goals. The mastodonic Junior Kaffo has become an ever-present in the build up to the season, being selected for every match squad so far. Central midfielder Kaffo has joined from Blue Square South side Bromley. Edwards has also raided Ryman Premier Club Boreham Wood for young Mauri Rivera, who looks to be an exact replacement for the departed Jason Hawes. The vivacious livewire had broken into the first team at Boreham Wood and had made several substitute appearances. A surprise transfer for most Hamlet supporters has seen the ubiquitous Sol Patterson-Bohner return after spells with Croydon Athletic and Kingstonian. Patterson-Bohner returns to the club having made
22 appearances in last season’s campaign. Marvin Hong also appears to be fighting for his place to succeed the Hawes & Paka in Dulwich's engine, after featuring in a 3 friendlies so far. After the losses of Alex Martin and Seb Schoburgh and the unclear future of Kraig Rochester, an injection of speed and imagination was needed to replace these losses. Four wingers have been brought in as reinforcements to Dulwich's scarred flanks. Tyran James makes his return to a Pink 'n' Blue jersey, after featuring in Hamlet's youth side a few years ago alongside the omnipotent Simeon Jackson.
After spells with Tooting & Mitcham, Chatham and Molesey, the former MK Dons man has boomeranged back to Champion Hill in the hope that he can repeat his defence-tormenting performances that he produced years ago in the youth team. Nick Ogbanufe becomes the second former "Dagger" this summer to arrive at the glowing gates of Champion Hill, after reportedly picking Dulwich as his destination and glowing praise from Kraig Rochester. Ogbanufe is a more recent acquisition for Edwards, however, his solo performance against Horsham YMCA left many impressed. The third wide man to check in at Dulwich is Erron Dussard. Erron joins after boasting a wide range of Semi Professional clubs to his playing history including Ashford Town, Lewisham Borough and Cirencester Town. Like Kaffo, Dussard has also been selected for every match squad in Pre-Season so far. At the age of 17, Tom Boloriniua becomes the youngest winger on Dulwich's 1st team’s books at the moment.
Boloriniua has also made an instant impact, netting a fantastic strike against Ryman Premier Giants Sutton United.
Dulwich's strike force has also seen some changes as well. With the imminent departure of Henry Darko and worrying absence of Charlie Taylor, fresh blood has been shot into the Hamlet's frontline. The mesmerising Laurent Hamici has stormed into the new look Dulwich's attack, after arriving from Bromley.
The hit-man's previous clubs include Croydon Athletic and Carshalton Athletic. Youngster Kevin Fox has also played a part in Dulwich's Pre-Season, giving firm performances against Horsham YMCA and Raynes Park Vale, however, a knee injury kept him out of playing against Sutton United.
From Surrey, Edwards has recruited two more strikers - Scott Simpson and Carlton Murray-Price, both previously at Chipstead and Corinthian Casuals respectively. Dulwich were also trialing another attacker before Pre-season games started, a player that was very familiar with Dulwich supporters. But, although Shawn Beveney returned for summer training in the hope of re-establishing himself in the side he left weeks previously, it was decided that Beveney had become un-employable due to his very controversial departure during the latter part of the previous season.
So there we have it. The outline of Craig Edwards’s new promotion hunters. The trialists will have a few more days to impress Edwards before the opening league game to Eastbourne Town at Champion Hill on the 16 August 2008, when hopefully their preparation will have paid off.
