May 18 2004
By Chris Fidler, South London Press
DULWICH Hamlet boss Martin Eede said he wouldn't swap any of his players - but there will be changes in the summer, he has admitted.
Hamlet missed out on promotion after a penalty shoot-out defeat in the Ryman Division One play-off with Wealdstone - and some players may have had enough.
Eede will now see his side compete in the Isthmian League Division One Southern Eastern Division against local rivals Tooting and AFC Wimbledon, rather than a higher level.
"It is inevitable there will be changes to the side, but at the moment I am still reflecting on how we missed out on promotion after such a good season," said Eede.
"I wouldn't swap any of my players. They were brilliant for me. In the end it was the lack of a big squad that let us down."
Eede is hoping his stars, such as top-scorer Omari Coleman, will want to stay at the club for next season, but added: "Of course people like Omari want to play at the highest level, but I'll be tackling those issues in a few weeks' time and hope most will want to stay."
As for the new league, Eede has one or two reasons to be excited about what is in store for his side and the Champion Hill faithful.
"With teams like AFC Wimbledon, Tooting and Bromley in it, there will be some big, big games," he said.
"There will also be some new challenges from the likes of Newport Isle of Wight and Bashley, so there's a lot to keep the interest."
But Eede is anxious that any success Hamlet have on the field should not mean people forget the club's problems off it. Last summer Hamlet's planning application for a Homebase on their existing ground and a new stadium next door was thrown out at appeal. The plan would have given the club financial security according to Eede.
He added: "If it had been allowed it would have meant we could be major players in the non-league world. We have a fight for survival here to keep the club going, which we do thanks to a small number of people who work above and beyond the call of duty.
"There are a lot of well-heeled people in Dulwich and it would be nice for them to get involved in helping the club out. Dulwich Hamlet is an important part of Dulwich life and a cash injection would go a long way.
"But whatever happens, nothing can shake us. We'll dust ourselves down and have another crack at promotion next season."
*Fisher Athletic's leading scorer of last season has left the club. Richard Brady, who netted 22 goals last term, walked after manager Wayne Burnett couldn't guarantee him a starting place for next season as he looks to reshape the squad.
By Chris Fidler, South London Press
DULWICH Hamlet boss Martin Eede said he wouldn't swap any of his players - but there will be changes in the summer, he has admitted.
Hamlet missed out on promotion after a penalty shoot-out defeat in the Ryman Division One play-off with Wealdstone - and some players may have had enough.
Eede will now see his side compete in the Isthmian League Division One Southern Eastern Division against local rivals Tooting and AFC Wimbledon, rather than a higher level.
"It is inevitable there will be changes to the side, but at the moment I am still reflecting on how we missed out on promotion after such a good season," said Eede.
"I wouldn't swap any of my players. They were brilliant for me. In the end it was the lack of a big squad that let us down."
Eede is hoping his stars, such as top-scorer Omari Coleman, will want to stay at the club for next season, but added: "Of course people like Omari want to play at the highest level, but I'll be tackling those issues in a few weeks' time and hope most will want to stay."
As for the new league, Eede has one or two reasons to be excited about what is in store for his side and the Champion Hill faithful.
"With teams like AFC Wimbledon, Tooting and Bromley in it, there will be some big, big games," he said.
"There will also be some new challenges from the likes of Newport Isle of Wight and Bashley, so there's a lot to keep the interest."
But Eede is anxious that any success Hamlet have on the field should not mean people forget the club's problems off it. Last summer Hamlet's planning application for a Homebase on their existing ground and a new stadium next door was thrown out at appeal. The plan would have given the club financial security according to Eede.
He added: "If it had been allowed it would have meant we could be major players in the non-league world. We have a fight for survival here to keep the club going, which we do thanks to a small number of people who work above and beyond the call of duty.
"There are a lot of well-heeled people in Dulwich and it would be nice for them to get involved in helping the club out. Dulwich Hamlet is an important part of Dulwich life and a cash injection would go a long way.
"But whatever happens, nothing can shake us. We'll dust ourselves down and have another crack at promotion next season."
*Fisher Athletic's leading scorer of last season has left the club. Richard Brady, who netted 22 goals last term, walked after manager Wayne Burnett couldn't guarantee him a starting place for next season as he looks to reshape the squad.
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