Legendary Amateur Footballer Recognised by People of Southwark

On Thursday 20th November at 2 p.m., more than 70 years after his finest hours, Dulwich Hamlet players past and present as well as supporters of the South London team will make their way along the road that bears his name to Champion Hill for the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to one of the true superstars of the amateur game, Edgar Kail. The Mayor of Southwark and local MP Tessa Jowell, Minister for Sport and Culture, will also be in attendance.
Earlier this year Southwark Council, in conjunction with local paper the Southwark News, announced that it would be honouring famous citizens and landmarks within the borough asking residents to vote from a list of 50 candidates, the top 20 being awarded a blue Peoples Plaque. Hamlet fans were swiftly canvassing votes as visiting supporters and locals alike were only too happy to nominate Kail. When the final votes were published even die-hard fans had to admit a pleasant shock as Kail came sixth in overall vote ahead of Peckham’s Rio Ferdinand by some way and with more votes than Charles Dickens, great Briton Isambard Kingdom Brunel and even Sir Michael Caine (not a lot of people voted for him!).
More than 70 years have passed since his finest hours and, looking down from the celestial football field, Kail might glance upon a much different Champion Hill that had swelled to bursting point during amateur football’s golden era. Nevertheless the fans of the Hamlet still chant the name of the dynamic striker with the quicksilver feet and a sniper’s eye for goal who stayed loyal to the local club he joined at the outbreak of World One aged 14. Many were the times professional clubs came begging the prolific hitman to take the King’s Shilling and turn pro but no matter how tempting the inducements, Kail would remain with Dulwich for nearly two decades. During this time, he clocked up a phenomenal 427 goals for the club, including 53 in the 1925-1926 season, club records which remain unbeaten to this day. With crowds regularly topping 15,000 Dulwich Hamlet enjoyed a purple patch between the Wars that included victory in the 1920 and 1932 FA Amateur Cup Finals.
However Edgar’s finest hour was yet to come as in 1929, he was selected by the England FULL International XI, the last amateur player whilst with an amateur team to be so honoured. An end of season tour took in France (where Kail scored twice in a 4-1 victory), Belgium and Spain (*see attached article), Kail wining a hat trick of caps. But for the FA’s insular refusal to participate in the following year’s inaugural World Cup in Uruguay, Dulwich might even have been celebrating a World Cup winner amongst their ranks, such was the impression Kail made on the tour.
In addition to his full England caps, Kail played 21 times for the England Amateur XI and was reputedly a demon bowler for the Dulwich Hamlet Cricket XI! Such was his fame that on retirement he was snapped up by the popular Daily Sketch newspaper as a columnist whose every word was avidly devoured by the newspapers’ readers.
Moving to Scotland in the late sixties, Kail passed away in 1976 but long after his achievements have passed into legend the name of the man who refused to sell out is chanted long and loud by the Dulwich supporters, “Edgar Kail in my heart keep me Dulwich, Edgar Kail in my heart I pray, Edgar Kail in my heart keep me Dulwich, keep me Dulwich ‘til my dying day.”

LEST WE FORGET… or have we already?

Forgive an old soldier his piece but pursuing that venerable organ of all matters Southwark, the Southwark News, I chanced upon a letter from a Mr Andrew Tucker of Sydenham bemoaning the failure to observe the two minutes’ silence upon the anniversary of September the 11th. I would hope that this was a typographical error on behalf of said correspondent, for though I have nothing against our American cousins from across the pond, my personal vent is that the ease with which people accepted marking that catastrophe is matched only by their ignorance of a more significant date just one month later. I speak of November 11th, Armistice Day to those of us old enough to remember. After many years of struggle, a national two-minute silence was recently reintroduced upon the occasion of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Although this would rarely if ever coincide with a home game, it had long been a tradition at Champion Hill for the silence to observed before kick-off on the Saturday immediately preceding Remembrance Sunday.
However in recent years this tradition seems to have ground to a halt as the minute’s silence becomes increasingly devalued. No one doubts the tragedy of the murder of those two girls from Soham but the irrational hysteria, fuelled by guilt, that followed came to a head with all football clubs ordered to observe a silence – all because they were wearing Manchester United shirts when they were abducted.
It beggars belief when a local lad, Damilola Taylor, loses his life in equally tragic circumstances, the silence is deafening by its absence.
With the almost evangelical zeal with which we have been forced to observe such gratuitous silences, it is particularly galling that the Hamlet had two chances but failed to pay their respects on either. On the Saturday before Remembrance Sunday it was Croydon at home but the only silence came from the travelling fan, whilst Tooting were entertained the following Tuesday 12th November. Both of these dates should have sufficed but neither was taken. When the survivors limped back limbless and sightless, maimed and shell-shocked from the killing fields of France and Belgium in 1918, there would have been many connected with Dulwich Hamlet, both supporter and player amongst there number. Likewise in 1945, as the memorial inside reception will testify. A moment of remembrance for their sacrifice would not go amiss.

AFC Wimbledon Supporters 6 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 3

AFC Wimbledon Supporters 6 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 3
Internet Football Association London Football League – Division Two
Sunday 12th October 2003

Dulwich kicked off their inaugural season in the IFA with defeat against the Dons in a high scoring match at Colliers Wood United. However selector Mishi Morath commented after the game that he was satisfied with the result given that the fledgling Dons had a much greater supporter base from which to select their squad. Indeed a heavy defeat did seem on the cards when AFC Supporters, with a strong wind at their backs, charged into an early 4-0 lead before Dulwich pulled one back through Benny Garner. Had Garner’s penalty minutes later not been saved the Hamlet might have been within touching distance of their opponents before the break but instead were caught out when AFC scored a fifth before half time. With the wind now in their favour and more coherent and passionate in their play, Dulwich rallied after the break with James O’Shaughnessy on his debut scoring a magnificent goal early on. Showing intense determination to keep the ball in on the right touchline, he beat the AFC keeper with a stunning shot from an impossible angle. When Steve Rickerby converted a penalty mid way through the game, hopes of a Dulwich revival were high but AFC held strong and as the Hamlet’s legs tired added a sixth to wrap up the scoring.

Team: Matt Hammond; Dave Penny; Paul Griffin; Gunner Lorimer; Lucas Green; Phil Doyle; Dan Colquhoun; Phil Baker; Alex Bushell; Steve Rickerby; Benny Garner
Subs used: James O’Shaughnessy; Gareth Taylor; Mishi Morath

TRAGIC ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF FORMER HAMLET FAVOURITE

Dulwich Hamlet have been left deeply saddened by the news last week that former goalkeeper Trevor Jones has died after a tragic accident at Old Cranleighan Sports Club in Thames Ditton, where he was general manager, just two days before he was due to celebrate his 34th birthday. It is believed that he was electrocuted as he attempted to install a glass washer in the club’s bar. Players from the Old Cranleighan Hockey Club attempted to revive him but after being taken to Kingston General Hospital in a critical condition, he died at around 10 o’clock on Tuesday evening.
Under the management of Frank Murphy, Jones made his debut for Dulwich in October 1995 against Walton & Hersham, making the keeper’s jersey his own until being displaced by Gary McCann the following season. However it is for one match in particular at Dagenham & Redbridge in November 1996 that Jones will be most fondly remembered by Dulwich fans. Suffering an injury crisis, Dulwich were left with just 13 fit players including keepers McCann and Jones, a scenario that saw Jones take to the field in the role of makeshift striker as Dulwich battled their way to a deserved draw at Victoria Road.
Latterly Jones had been Reserve Team Manager at Kingstonian where he was understudy to first team keeper Lance Key but it was his tireless efforts behind the scenes that won him the affection of the K’s fans who remembered him with a minute’s silence before Saturday’s 1-0 triumph over Kettering, a victory manager Kim Harris dedicated to his departed friend.
The funeral will take place at St Christopher’s Church in Thames Ditton on Wednesday 15th October.

Staines 3 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Staines 3 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Saturday 23rd August 2003
Isthmian League Division One South

Despite a heartening fight back from a two goal deficit, ultimately the Hamlet were the architects of their own defeat as the 100% record came to a stuttering finish at Wheatsheaf Park, home of big-spending Staines. Unchanged from victory at Horsham in midweek, Dulwich were confident of maintaining their bright start to the new term and early on held the upper hand. In the eight minute Francis Quarm unleashed a steamer of drive from the edge of the box to which Matt Lovett had to react sharply, diving to his right to batter the ball away. Moments later David Moore produced a mazy dribble that had left defenders dizzy but as he cut into the penalty area, moment’s hesitation cost him dearly as a lunging Steve McGrath tackle robbed him of the ball as he shaped to shoot.
There were ominous portents of what was to come shortly after as concerted Dulwich pressure saw them win a corner. An in-swinger looked destined for the head of Omari Coleman, until Lovett hove into view with a punch off the Hamlet hitman’s head. Suddenly Dulwich found themselves desperately back tracking as the Swans launched a swift counter attack that saw the ball find Dean Pitcher in a scoring position only to fire wide of the target with a shot on the run.
Swans in nickname the Staines team may be but this current side, boasting many years of Conference and Football League experience in its ranks, possess a steely backbone in contrast to that graceful bird. This fact was not lost on Quarm as Mark Pye left his calling card on the young midfielder with a bone-crunching foul that saw Quarm launched into the air but brought nothing stronger that a mild admonishment from the referee. Perhaps the man in black had in mind Pye’s infamous encounter with the equally fiery George Borg that left the former Aldershot manager singing soprano.
As the action swung from end to end both sides had chances, Ronnie Green’s glancing header from a glorious Tony Houghton cross from the left wing whizzing the wrong side of the upright whilst the attentions of Junior Kamara did enough to distract Pitcher as he met a low cross from the right only to loft it into an adjoining garden.
Midway through the first half, things started to go wrong for the Hamlet as Staines snatched the advantage with a brace of goals in less than a minute. Aggrieved at a dubious freekick awarded to the hosts, the Hamlet defence had not yet regained its composure when the ball was delivered and although the first assault was cleared it was not to a position of safety. Matt Flitter was first to the ball and despite an attempt to dispossess him sent in a killer cross to the back post where Paul Ellis was waiting, stooping to power the ball past Paul Seuke.
Dulwich barely had time to digest this when they were caught out once again almost straight from the kick-off. Kezi Ibe latched on to Dulwich dithering, winning the ball and embarking on a one-man mission on the Hamlet goal. In all reality he should not have been allowed to get a shot on but as he stumbled through some half-hearted challenges before firing past a cruelly exposed Seuke, Lee Doherty in particular must have been asking himself how he could not land a telling tackle on the forward.
To the Hamlet’s credit, shell-shocked as they were, there was no question of capitulation as, with skipper Al-James Hannigan cajoling and urging on his young charges, Dulwich turned up the gas to assail the Staines goal. A storming surge down the right saw Green pull the ball back from the goal line to Coleman. Finding his path to goal blocked Coleman laid the ball back to Houghton but his cracker was deflected over the crossbar. Coleman went close himself within minutes as a rasping low drive went just wide of the post.
A great tackle from Houghton allowed Coleman to streak down the left before picking out Green in the centre, the ball making its way to Danny Ward whose effort was blocked.
Two minutes of stoppage time played the Hamlet found a lifeline as the deficit was halved courtesy of a Kamara goal. Rising highest he met a Houghton freekick with a looping header that left Lovett rooted to the spot and sent the Dulwich fans to their half time Bovril a little happier.
Three minutes into the second half and the two sides were back on level terms. A ball over the top found Coleman and his lighting pace left Flitter eating dust as he bore down on goal, giving Lovett no chance as he banged a sizzling low drive home from 10 yards out.
By now referee Kevin Haines, whose reluctance to admonish players had typified the first half, had remembered his cards with both McGrath and Richard Gell getting ones to match their shirts.
With both sides now cranking up the pressure, it seemed certain that further gaols were on the cards, Pitcher stabbing wide after meeting a cross from the left. This was the cue for a flurry of Dulwich set pieces that saw them come within an ace of grabbing a third. Pye was again the perpetrator, Alex O’Brien the victim, the quickly taken freekick seeing Hannigan ghosting in at the back a la Martin Peters hoping to catch the Staines rearguard unawares. Unfortunately Lovett was alert to the danger punching the ball behind for a corner. A deep ball to the back followed with Hannigan lofting in a delicate chip that had the Staines defence flustered as it was heading behind for another corner.
Then suddenly the game was turned on its head as the Hamlet once again found themselves victims of a smash and grab raid as a swift Swans counterattack saw them regain the lead courtesy of a Craig Maskell penalty. For once it was not the veteran striker tumbling to the ground in the penalty area that won the hosts their spot kick but Hamlet could have few complaints about the award as a lazy attempt at a challenge saw Pitcher tumble over Doherty’s outstretched leg. Unlike Tuesday night there was to be no reprieve for the Hamlet as Maskell, deadly as ever from 12 yards gave Seuke no chance with the penalty.
On came Mark Hynes in place of Ward and he almost made an instant impact arching like a salmon to meet a left wing cross but unable to direct it on target.
Dulwich’s task became even more difficult when they were reduced to ten men after Houghton’s express train lunge into Ellis left the Staines defender writhing in agony on the floor and Mr Haines brandishing a red card. It may have been a genuine attempt to win the ball but the Staines player’s reaction convinced the referee that Houghton’s impetuous tackle merited dismissal.
Even with ten men the Hamlet were not yet down but time was against them. Hynes almost set up Coleman from close range only for a defender to nick the ball off his toes. Haughton was sent tumbling in the box but no penalty resulted and in the dying embers of the match Hynes got on the end of a Hannigan delivery with a diving header a fraction off target.

Teams:
Staines:
Matt Lovett; Paul Ellis; Darren Deegan; Steve McGrath; Matt Flitter; Julian Sills; Richard Gell; Paul Ellis; Kezie Ibe; Craig Maskell; Dean Pitcher
Subs: Phil Dicker; Jon McDonald; Darren Beale; Eddie van Halen; Danny Rouco

Dulwich Hamlet:
Paul Seuke; Junior Kamara; Lee Doherty; Alex O’Brien; Al-James Hannigan; David Moore (Warren Haughton 84); Tony Houghton; Francis Quarm; Omari Coleman; Danny Ward (15: Mark Hynes 75); Ronnie Green (Eben Allen 63)
Subs not used: Charley Side; Scott Ward (GK)

JEEPERS KEEPERS

Dulwich Hamlet resident statto, John Lawrence, has been scouring the record books after the South London club used a total of five different goalkeepers in the space of less than an hour of football last week. With 12 minutes left of their second leg Bryco Cup semi-final tie remaining and Dulwich trailing by two goals on aggregate, keeper Scott Ward was sent off for holding back an opponent just inside the penalty area. Having previously gone between the sticks albeit in a friendly several years ago, Lee Akers took on the goalie’s shirt and the responsibility of facing the spotkick, but was unable to keep out Nevin Saroya’s precise penalty. Shortly afterwards Steve Restarick who’d been stuggling with a groin injury was pulled off by manager Martin Eede who brought on substitute custodian James Mercer, relieving Akers of his goalkeeping duties. However there was no happy ending to the story as although Dulwich pulled back a late equaliser on the night through Omari Coleman, they bowed out of the competition 4-6 on aggregate. It was a different tale on Saturday as Dulwich resumed their battle to stay in the promotion race with a trip to deadly rivals Tooting and Mitcham. Approaching half time and with the sides deadlocked at 0-0, the ill-starred Scott Ward finished a nightmare five days by crumpling to the ground in agony as he took a goal kick. As he was stretchered from the field, his namesake Danny Ward donned the gloves and jersey for the final few seconds of the half. With no specialist keeper on the bench the reins of responsibility passed to substitute Jon Ashton for the second half and to chants of ‘England’s Number One’ from the Dulwich travelling fans, the big Cornish defender proceeded to deal with anything Tooting could throw at him, keeping a clear sheet as Dulwich completed a league and Trophy treble over the Terrors with a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Mark Hynes and Coleman (penalty).

Dulwich Hamlet 0 Margate 2

Dulwich Hamlet 0 Margate 2
FA Trophy – Third Round
Saturday 11th January 2003

Dulwich’s dreams of FA Trophy glory came to end against Conference side Margate on Saturday, but despite the defeat the boys in Pink and Blue could hold their heads high after a sterling performance against a team two divisions above them in the Pyramid. Having had the better of the first half against the seasiders, Dulwich were made to rue missed chances as second half goals from Jean-Michel Sigere and substitute Jake Leberl saw the conference side through to an away tie against Worcester City in the Fourth Round.
All the more remarkable that the tie took place at all for 48 hours earlier a shroud of snow enveloped the ground but the toils of a small band of volunteers had seen the pitch readied all in time for the Hamlet’s largest crowd of the season.
Martin Eede selections were limited as suspension robbed him of the combative Danny Ward in midfield, whilst both Germaine Amanuel and David Moore were cup-tied and Scott Ward had not re-signed in time to be eligible for the tie. However Omari Coleman returned to the starting line-up for the first time since his injury against Epsom & Ewell. The future Hamlet too was recognised as Albert Jarrett and Russell Bedford from the youth team were included among the substitutes.
The game took its time to get going with Dulwich pushing relentlessly forward, the pace of Coleman and the tricky skills of Peter Adeniyi proving a headache for the visitors’ defence. Margate’s response to their hosts’ flair was to mimic nightclub bouncers, treating the ball as if it were some rowdy punter, unceremoniously hoofing it upfield.
After ten minutes Dulwich had a great chance to open the scoring as Coleman met a right wing cross from Junior Kadi with a ferocious half-volley from the edge of the box that stung the hands of keeper Charlie Mitten as he awkwardly battering the ball behind for a corner. From this Kadi swung the ball into the near post, seemingly destined to sneak in to the top corner until Mitten got across to punch it out.
Five minutes later James Mercer gave a timely reminder of his agility as he pulled a save out of the top drawer to turn over a goalbound header from Graham Porter. At the other end Mitten was almost embarrassed as an underhit backpass from Bill Edwards was chased by Adeniyi, the keeper’s clearance smashing against the Dulwich attacker, only for Mitten to gratefully clutch the ball as it threatened to rebound over his head.
Mid way through the half Margate came within inches of grabbing the lead against the run of play. Simon Beard, denied moments early as Mercer’s anticipation saw he snatch the ball of the former Hammer, hit a first time steamer from the edge of the box that swerved wickedly but crashed off the bar and behind.
As the half drew to a close Dulwich put together a delightful move, Adeniyi swinging the ball out to Kemal Bulent on the touchline, who put in a deep cross that found Francis Quarm arriving at the back of the box. However the close attentions of Adrian Clarke were enough to put Quarm off as he volleyed wide and although there were tentative shouts for a penalty these fell upon deaf ears. Bang on 45 minutes another glorious Dulwich move saw the Hamlet sweep imperiously out of defence and with the referee choosing to ignore some heavy tackles on Quarm, the ball ran to Kadi on the edge of the D. However he snatched at his shot and the ball flew harmlessly wide.
Decided second best against their, supposedly inferior, opponents Margate opted to change their pattern of play for the final 45 minutes and it rapidly paid dividends much to the dismay of the Hamlet faithful. A mere four minutes into the second half and Margate launched an attack down the right, the ball delivered into the box by Sam Sodje. As it ran lose Sigere muscled his way in front of Dave Richards and smacked the ball home from close range.
It would have been easy for the Hamlet to fold at this point in the knowledge that the benefits of promotion might easily outweigh those of a Trophy run but having more than matched a Conference side, like a dog with a bone there was no way they would let this chance of glory disappear.
Having avoided conceding a second as John Keister shot wide after exploiting a Jon Ashton slip, Dulwich moved up a gear enjoying a purple patch as they threatened an equaliser. The ball finding Bulent out on the wing, it was delivered into Kadi who chested it down before nipping past a brace of defenders and firing in a low angled shot that beat Mitten but was cleared off the line by Sodje, sliding in just ahead of the lurking Coleman. The resulting corner flashed across the face of the goal then Ashton rose highest at the back post but Mitten proved to be his nemesis stretching to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Victory as priority saw Bulent sacrificed for Eben Allen and his determination almost created a chance for Coleman within seconds, but his cross was too far behind the striker. Then with six minutes left came heartbreak for the Hamlet. Leberl, whose appearance from the bench had not been universally applauded by the Margate supporters seconds earlier, collected the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a sizzling drive that gave Mercer no chance.
Sadly there was to no giantkilling at the Hill but for the second time in a week the players had risen to the challenge in hand and given all they could – against Carshalton it had been plenty, today it was not quite enough but still the fans were proud of them.

Team: James Mercer; Jon Ashton; Kemal Bulent (14: Eben Allen 74); Peter Adeniyi; Dave Richards; Gavin Rose; Francis Quarm (15: Russell Bedford 90); Justin Bowen; Omari Coleman (12: Steffan Ball 83); Junior Kadi; Lee Akers
Subs not used:; 16: Albert Jarrett; GK: Nej Hussain

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Dulwich Kick-start Season With Victory over Leaders

Dulwich Hamlet put their disappointing Christmas behind them as they picked up a welcome three points at home to Carshalton Athletic. The game, rearranged from New Year’s Day after a waterlogged pitch forced a postponement, might have been in doubt due to the freezing conditions but the sterling efforts of the groundstaff ensured that the pitch was playable and the crowd was treated to a cracking encounter as Dulwich outthought and out-fought the title favourites to clinch victory. The only goal of the game was scored after twelve minutes when a pass found Peter Adeniyi out on the left wing. A couple of shimmies and a brace of bemused defenders later he whipped a low cross into the penalty area. There the ball was met by Gavin Rose who beat goalkeeper Stuart Searle with a sweet and simple sidefooted effort from 12 yards. Dulwich might have added a second midway through the second half as substitute Omari Coleman, back from injury, met an Adeniyi cross first time, his effort beating Searle but cannoning back off the upright. Remarkably, with the goal at his mercy and Searle sprawling, Junior Kadi somehow managed to smack the rebound against the opposite post. Still the danger was not cleared with Francis Quarm providing the cross from which a Lee Akers forced a fine save out of Searle as he turned the ball over the crossbar. The reaction of the two opposing managers at the final whistle was pure contrast as Martin Eede was left beaming. By contrast, Robin’s boss Graham Roberts earned himself a red card for a tirade against the referee after the final whistle, aggrieved at the amount of stoppage time played.

All Change at Champion Hill

Competition for the keeper’s jersey at Dulwich Hamlet has intensified with new that manager Martin Eede has resigned Scott Ward. The former Luton number one and brother of Millwall’s Darren left Champion Hill in December to join Premier Division strugglers Grays Athletic but found himself relegated to the bench when Grays brought in former Southend United custodian Melvin Capleton for last Saturday’s victory over Enfield. Ward reclaimed the Dulwich gloves for the visit of Carshalton Athletic on Tuesday night and marked his return with a clean sheet against the division leaders. A smiling Martin Eede was pleased with his dilemma over the two highly rated young keepers and compared himself to Ron Greenwood having to choose between Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton.
Additionally Dulwich have captured striker Jermaine Amanuel from promotion rivals Lewes and he also made his debut in that victory over Carshalton. Hamlet fans may remember him from the defeat at the Dripping Pan back in October when scoring a late second goal to confirm the Rooks’ 2-0 victory.
Leaving the Hamlet are Danny Husbands and Luke Basford. Husbands originally joined the Hamlet in autumn 2001 after a spell out of the game following injury. It was while filming for Sky’s Dream Team, in which he still regularly appears, that Dulwich striker Declan Perkins recommended the Hamlet and industrious midfielder Danny went on to make 51 appearances scoring 3 times. Left back Basford joined from Whyteleafe in the close season but despite some exceptional performances faced increased competition from Kemal Bulent in the left wing back role.

FA Trophy

South Londoners are more used to making the long trip down to Margate for their holidays but this coming Saturday the roles will be reversed as Champion Hill looks forward to their biggest game since 1996 when Southport escaped with a narrow 1-0 victory in the FA First Round, Dulwich’s first appearance at that stage for half a century. Whilst the FA Cup has long been consigned to memory, the Hamlet have reserved some of their best performances for the FA Trophy in recent years. Last season they disposed of Premier Division Billericay Town, before narrowly losing a seven-goal thriller at home to Braintree Town. This term has already seen the Pink and Blues beat Met Police in a replay a result that set up a monster tie against old rivals Tooting and Mitcham at their brand spanking new Imperial Fields stadium. In torrential rain, Dulwich overcame the setback of Gavin Rose’s dismissal and a 2-1 deficit to fight back and claim a stunning 3-2 triumph, thanks to a brace from Declan Perkins. Next up came the long trek to the West Country where a single Eben Allen goal was enough to secure victory.
Dulwich manager Martin Eede is not normally a man to go overboard but he quietly fancies his team’s chances of causing an upset against the Conference strugglers. ‘With injuries worries receding I hope to have my main strike force up and running in time for this match’, he said. ‘Also our defence again showed it is capable of being as mean as my Chairman in the bar!’
Margate currently lie one place above the relegation zone in the Conference but have proved themselves adept in knockout competitions in recent years. Last season they got to the Sixth Round of the Trophy before going down to Morecambe at home. This season their heroics have come in the FA Cup where they famously dispatched Leyton Orient 1-0 in a replay, John Keister converting the penalty that took them through, before going down 3-0 in a home tie against Cardiff City. The main threat will come from leading scorer and England Semi-Pro Leon Braithwaite who has bagged eight goals this term despite an injury-enforced layoff.

LEAD WEIGHTS ON THE B******S?

The world of Formula One motor-racing, as anodyne as a WI meeting since they decided to try and get rid of the only things that made it interesting (i.e. the danger and the possibility that one of the drivers might be at least injured if not mortally wounded in some spectacular crash), actually managed to become even more mind-numbingly tedious last year with the Ferraris’, and Michael Schumacher in particular, overwhelming dominance ensuring that the majority of races were little more than an procession. In an effort to make the ‘sport’ more interesting and cling on to those vital tobacco advertising dollars, Bernie Eccleston and his cronies (sorry the sport’s governing body, the FIA) spent many hours scratching their heads in a vain attempt to find some innovative ideas that would keep viewers glued to their sets and that free-flowing revenue on tap. The public anticipated all sorts of innovative ideas that might make the racing just and little bit more competitive and return Formula One to those halcyon days of Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, etc when the only danger a driver feared was a stray champagne cork taking out an eye. However in the end of course all they came up was a tiny bit of rule tinkering, but the rumours of what they were going to do to stop Schumacher winning every single race were magnificent.
Fed up with the inexorable march of the Ferraris to victory at each event, it seemed there were no end to the measures that the authorities were contemplating. For a while it looked as though the smut Kraut would be forced into taking the wheel of Reliant Robin to try and make things a bit more challenging, or perhaps a black cab with the fare light on, thus forcing him to stop and pick up any other drivers that broke down. At the very least he would have to drive with one hand tied behind his back, backwards or have his helmet visor painted black.
For most of this season, it has looked as if Topsy-Turvy might have to consider something similar with Carshalton Athletic. With a sugar daddy in the boardroom and Graham Roberts on the bench, they have been widely tipped since pre-season to stroll to a promotion place, if not the Championship. Despite an opening day slip up at Lewes, they have continued to sweep all before them and look set to claim their place in the Premier Division come May.
So what about some handicapping for the Robins then? Perhaps every time the venerable Steve Darlington tucks away a goal he should be made to carry a substitute around on his back for the next half an hour, or if Bernadette Ouefio hits the back of the net his shoelaces should be tied together until the next goal is scored. At least with Stuart Searle back between the sticks, it looks as if the handicappers have already been at work, insisting that the old stager be played instead of young Paul Borg. If you don’t believe me look at the Robins’ stats – in Searle’s last ten appearances (up to Boxing Day in case the Hamlet went nuts on Tuesday!) Carshalton have conceded one goal in nine of them, the only exception being two at Canvey Island in the FA Trophy.
As for the Hamlet they seem to be doing their level best to handicap themselves, results against Bracknell and Whyteleafe in recent weeks spring to mind, but should the need arise I suppose there are a number of ways in which the blazers at League headquarters (a shed at the bottom of Nick Robinson’s garden).
Lee Akers could be forced to at last act his age, putting off the young whippersnappers around him in defence by constantly grumbling that it wasn’t like this in his day and he didn’t fight a war for them all to stand idly around at corners. The Hamlet’s answer to Bodie and Doyle, Jon Ashton and Danny Husbands, should be forced to update their fashion sense from the 70’s including a sensible short back and sides with the result effect on their public image that they would probably come out on to the field with paper bags on their heads! Steffan Ball should be made to play on his knees – not a huge handicap as he’d still tower over most players and anyway his heading is not really a strong point, although it might restrict his mobility a bit. Meanwhile The Terminator (aka Danny Ward) should be sent away for elocution lessons during his next suspension. Probably won’t stop him giving refs earache but at least ‘Excuse me Sir, but despite the forward missing a limb, I feel that was a valid challenge and perfectly timed’ might elicit a better response that the usual flood of invective directed in the direction of the man in black. As for Junior Kadi, should he start turning on the style then the Lawrence Marsh Diktat is invoked, the aforementioned Mr Marsh called from the terraces to run alongside Junior and point out his failings unceasingly. What more could be done – a mobile burger van under the bus shelter to distract Martin Eede? Replace those white boots of Omari Coleman with ballet shoes? There’s no end to the steps that could be taken in the name of fairness!

North Ferriby United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2

North Ferriby United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Pre-Season Challenge Match
Saturday 3rd August 2002

North Ferriby’s picturesque Church Road, the mighty span of the Humber Bridge framing the backdrop, made a attractive setting as Dulwich got their East Riding tour off to a tentative start with a faltering 2-2 draw against the local County Cup holders. The steamy conditions and a draining coach journey made all the worse by a shunt on the A1 almost affected the players as defensive lapses and a failure to convert inviting opportunities contributed to the result.
The hosts had the better of the early exchanges although Nick Leach will be disappointed with a low drive that skewed wide when he had found himself with space just outside the penalty area. The Dulwich goal survived a scare shortly afterwards when a crisp volley on the edge of the box from Gavin Knight just miss its intended target.
Weathering the early storm, Dulwich found their way back into the game and Paul Scott’s predatory instincts almost paid as he leapt on a sloppy pass at the back. Brushing aside the attentions of two defenders determined to make him the meat in a sandwich, he tried one trick too many, attempting to dribble round Paul Sharp in goal but seeing the keeper bravely take the ball off his feet.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Declan Perkins collected a long ball from the wing, knocking a neat ball on to the penalty spot for Francis Quarm to hit first time and finish with a crafty lob over the advancing Sharp who found himself stranded in No Man’s Land as the ball bounced into the net.
Without a minute that lead could have been wiped out but when Martin Garrett swept down the left before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box, Leon Wainman was left shaking his head in disbelief as he failed to provide the killer touch scuffing the ball wide of the upright.
Quarm might have added to his tally in the 25th minute when Sharp came to punch away a freekick but missed leaving Quarm to attempt to chip the ball home through a forest of defenders but just missing the target. Some great work from Scott culminating in a wicked cross from the goalline should have brought reward but with the goal at his mercy Perkins glanced header went wide of the post. Seconds later Dulwich were made to pay as a bizarre gaol worthy of investigation by Mulder and Scully brought the hosts level. Sharp launched a booming goalkick that seemed to pose little danger until a breakdown in communications saw Vill Powell sneak in between Mercer and his defence and dribble round the forlorn keeper before gleefully banging the ball into the empty net. Shell-shocked by this Dulwich were soon in deeper trouble as Powell turned provider scampering off down the left flank, despite protestations of offside, before centring the ball to fellow striker Knight who had the simple task of turning the ball past an incensed Mercer. Heated discussions with the officials ensued but to no avail and the goal stood.
With the heat taking its toll, changes were made throughout the half and two of Dulwich’s combined early on as tricky skills from Rob Hughes on the left paved the way for Charley Side’s to attempt a devilish curling effort from the edge of the box that had Sharp scurrying across his goal but was ultimately wide of the mark. Slack marking was almost punished when scorer Knight found himself unmarked at the back as he met a cross from the left wing but to Dulwich’s relief his header went astray.
On 69 minutes a Ferriby freekick caused some degree of panic in the Dulwich box but when Ian Ashby got his effort in Quarm popped up on his own goalline to boot the ball to safety. Two minutes later Dulwich introduced Frank Burton, a promising young striker recommended by old hand and fans’ favourite Lee Akers, and he was to have an almost instantaneous effect. Quarm’s tenacious tackling won the ball in midfield and he found Side in the D with an adroit pass. Side instantly fed Burton who had left his marker for dead before drawing Sharp and with a composed finish, he levelled the score. Indeed the new lad might have further endeared himself to the travelling faithful in stoppage time when a long ball saw Side hare away before centring to Burton, but this time his finishing was less effective as he lifted the ball over the keeper and bar.
At the end of a gruelling day that had begun at 8.00 a.m. in the car park at Champion Hill, an honourable draw seemed a fitting result, although the first-rate hosts were probably more pleased.

Team: James Mercer; Justin Bowen; Luke Basford; Dave Richards; Chris Currie; Nick Leach; Francis Quarm; Junior Kadi; Declan Perkins; Paul Scott; Ryan Pacey

Subs used: Tony Chin; Charley Side; Rob Hughes; Ward Trowman; Michael Ebanks; Jimmy Goldsmith; Frank Burton; Danny Ward; Danny Twin

MET POLICE CAUGHT SHORT BY REFEREE

The Met Police might have lowered their height restrictions for new recruits but someone at Imber Court forgot to tell the groundsman that that ruling does not apply to the goalposts as well! On Tuesday night Dulwich Hamlet became the latest victims of the shrinking goal phenomenon that is sweeping non-league football as their Ryman Division One South Match at Met Police was called off by referee Bruce McLaren at 7-00 p.m., 45 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time. This too late to prevent the Dulwich players, officials and supporters from travelling with several bemused fans arriving at the Coppers’ Imber Court ground to find both sides’ players and management clustered around the man in black, who armed with a tape measure was sizing up the goal. Although both sides were happy to play the match, Mr McClaren’s discovery that one crossbar was two inches too low resulted in a wasted journey for all. Manager Martin Eede was particularly disgruntled for not only was this a chance to erase the memory of Saturday’s mind-numbing scoreless draw with Banstead and get the promotion train back on track, but it was also a dress-rehearsal for the FA Trophy tie on Saturday week. The game will be replayed at a later date but the embarrassed police may find themselves recipients of a hefty fine for their failure to fulfil the fixture.

Forthcoming Fixtures & Latest News

Wednesday 14th August:

Dulwich have announced an extra friendly this coming Wednesday when they travel to Worthing FC to take on Withdean 2000 of the Combined Counties League. The game is being played at Woodside Road in Worthing and kick off time is 7-30 p.m.

Saturday 17th August:

Dulwich kick-off the 2002-2003 season this coming Saturday when they entertain Horsham FC keen to expunge memories of an embarrassing 2-0 defeat in the FA Cup Preliminary Round last season, a result that proved to be one of the first nails in the coffin as far as Gwynne Berry’s tenure in the Champion Hill hotseat was concerned. However despite not being among the favourites, the Hornets surprised most of their rivals as they trailed eventual champions Lewes by just six points in clinching the runners-up spot. They will not be mugs this season either.

Monday 19th August:

With the injuries and suspensions cruelly afflicting Dulwich’s build up to the start of the season, this game could hardly have could at a worse time. Under the tutelage of former Spurs’ star Graham Roberts, a man with a fine managerial pedigree in Non League Football, the Robins have quickly been installed as favourites for the championship of Division One South, a tag they have justified with fine victories at Premier Division Chesham United and over local rivals Sutton United in the pre-season build-up. Among summer signings that reinforce the pundits’ predictions is that is Tooting marksman Nigel Webb, a predator supreme, who is sure to keep the Dulwich defence on its toes all evening. Add to that the steel of Steve Darlington in midfield and Keith Dublin in defence and a potent brew is being mixed at Colston Avenue. Handle it carefully Dulwich or it may blow your head off!

Romford FC 1 Dulwich Hamlet 4

Romford FC 1 Dulwich Hamlet 4
Pre-Season Challenge Match
11th August 2001

A week away from the opening day of the season, Dulwich clinically put sorry Romford to the sword, although the final margin of victory flattered the hosts as the Hamlet failed to polish off a multitude of chances that could have seen them rattle up a cricket score in the ninety minutes. However some of the goals scored were of such exquisite execution that the travelling faithful would surely spurn the lack of quantity in favour of quality.
The only new face on display was that of Landry Zahana-Oni, once of Bromley and Luton Town, who came in for Declan Perkins in the vanguard of the attack. Injuries also played their part with James Mercer and Al-James Hannigan suffering minors tweaks that saw them sit this one out.
From the start it was obvious that this battle between two great old names of the Isthmian League was something of mismatch. The home defence found themselves battling to contain a rampant Dulwich attack that bombarded the home goal from the off. How that goal remain unpenetrated for so long must remain a mystery but it was not for want of Hamlet exertion, Ryan Gray in particular earning a mention in dispatches as he exploited an evil slope to pepper the Romford six-yard box with a succession of inviting crosses.
After Rob French had gone close with a long range dipping effort that singed the bar, Joel Rogers brought the best out of home keeper Nicky Wilson. Trapping the ball on his chest, he left his marker for dead, turning into the box. Only Wilson remained to thwart him as the goal lay at his mercy, but the valiant save that was called for materialised and the scores remained level – for the moment. Three minutes later Gray found himself denied by Wilson when he met a deep cross to the bar post, only to see his header saved at the base of the post.
Romford’s chances were few and far between, but moments after this let off, they were nearly gifted the lead when Kevin Clark found himself unmarked in the box to loop a header goalwards. For a moment it seemed as if Dulwich keeper, Danny Burgess, had been caught flatfooted but he recovered to pluck the ball out from under the bar. Apart from that scare the home side were restricted to a few long-range efforts that seemed to upset the dogs in the kennels behind the goal more than Burgess does.
Dulwich continued to batter away but somehow Romford’s defence refused to crumble. Gray’s mishit shot turned into an inviting cross but it ran too far in front of Rogers. Not giving up was Julian Old and his resilience meant he just kept the ball in before lofting a deep cross to Gray at the back post. Somehow from a few feet out he got under the ball and pumped a header high over the bar. Several heads went into hands at this clanger but payback time was not far away.
A moment later Rogers misdirected a powerful header straight into keeper’s hands, but Gray’s disappointment was about to turn to delight. Picking up the ball on the left wing from Michael Ebanks, a roguish nutmeg was followed by a searing drive into the box to Zahana-Oni. A deft flick of the heel and the Romford players between himself and the goal line vanished leaving him the simple chance of knocking the ball home from less than a yard.
Romford barely had time to recover from this when a stunner from Rogers earned rapturous applause from home and visiting fans alike. Nodding the ball forward, he juggled it on his knee, flicking the ball into the air before unleashing a thunderous shot from fully 30 yards out that gave Wilson not a prayer.
With the season only a week away, Dulwich seemed to step off the gas, although they might well have added to the scoreline. Instead the Hamlet faithful had to wait until the closing seconds of the half before the Romford rearguard was breached again. Again Gray was the provider, a deep cross picking out Zahana-Oni whose precise header into the bottom corner of the net left Wilson standing rooted to the spot.
A raft of substitutions preceded the start of the second half – Luke Edgehill, Wayne Grant, Sheldon Brown and Danny Ward all given the opportunity to stake a place in the opening day’s line-up. However most surprising was the bloke in the goalkeeper’s shirt, manager Gwynne Berry taking over the gloves from an injured Burgess who had tweaked a hamstring. Not that he seemed keen, proffering the gloves in the direction of the Dulwich fans gathered behind the goal, although his offer was declined.
The one way traffic of the first half remained in place as the second got underway, with Edgehill proving a real torment for the Romford defenders, constantly leading them a merry dance. Within a minute of the kick-off, his mazy run was only denied the ultimate reward by another fine Wilson save. Minutes later and that man Wilson was again to the fore, his block preventing Old increasing the deficit.
However on 53 minutes, even Wilson’s acrobatics could not stop Dulwich from making it four. Another rasper of a goal, this time the perpetrator one Danny Ward, meeting a crossfield ball 25 yards out to rifle a shot wide of Wilson and into the back of the net.
Zahana-Oni could well have claimed a hat trick 3 minutes later as a corner caused panic in the home box. The ball pinged around before Zahana-Oni’s touch but he could only direct at the relieved Wilson.
As the afternoon wore on, Romford were allowed to fight their way back into the game and Berry’s quiet sojourn between the sticks came to a abrupt end as he was forced into action, making some crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet, including a fine save at the feet of ?
However the stand-in keeper was left cruelly exposed 10 minutes from the death, when the referee rather generously awarded Romford a penalty after Clark stumbled over Nick Leach’s feet as he chased the ball. Dean Harding’s penalty was expertly executed and left Berry standing as he slotted it neatly into the bottom corner to give the final scoreline an air of respectability.
Both sides had suffered the ignominy of relegation last season, Dulwich from the lofty heights of the Premier Division, Romford from Division One (though that paled into insignificance with the potential demise that threatened them then and still hangs ominously over Sungate) and on this performance the team most likely to regain former status would surely have to the Hamlet.

Team: Danny Burgess; Oliver Hunt; Michael Ebanks; Gwynne Berry; Nick Leach; Rob French; Julian Old; Francis Quarm; Joel Rogers; Landry Zahana-Oni; Ryan Gray
Subs not used: Wayne Grant; Danny Ward; Luke Edghill; Sheldon Brown

North Ferriby United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2

North Ferriby United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Pre-Season Challenge Match
Saturday 3rd August 2002

North Ferriby’s picturesque Church Road, the mighty span of the Humber Bridge framing the backdrop, made a attractive setting as Dulwich got their East Riding tour off to a tentative start with a faltering 2-2 draw against the local County Cup holders. The steamy conditions and a draining coach journey made all the worse by a shunt on the A1 almost affected the players as defensive lapses and a failure to convert inviting opportunities contributed to the result.
The hosts had the better of the early exchanges although Nick Leach will be disappointed with a low drive that skewed wide when he had found himself with space just outside the penalty area. The Dulwich goal survived a scare shortly afterwards when a crisp volley on the edge of the box from Gavin Knight just miss its intended target.
Weathering the early storm, Dulwich found their way back into the game and Paul Scott’s predatory instincts almost paid as he leapt on a sloppy pass at the back. Brushing aside the attentions of two defenders determined to make him the meat in a sandwich, he tried one trick too many, attempting to dribble round Paul Sharp in goal but seeing the keeper bravely take the ball off his feet.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Declan Perkins collected a long ball from the wing, knocking a neat ball on to the penalty spot for Francis Quarm to hit first time and finish with a crafty lob over the advancing Sharp who found himself stranded in No Man’s Land as the ball bounced into the net.
Without a minute that lead could have been wiped out but when Martin Garrett swept down the left before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box, Leon Wainman was left shaking his head in disbelief as he failed to provide the killer touch scuffing the ball wide of the upright.
Quarm might have added to his tally in the 25th minute when Sharp came to punch away a freekick but missed leaving Quarm to attempt to chip the ball home through a forest of defenders but just missing the target. Some great work from Scott culminating in a wicked cross from the goalline should have brought reward but with the goal at his mercy Perkins glanced header went wide of the post. Seconds later Dulwich were made to pay as a bizarre gaol worthy of investigation by Mulder and Scully brought the hosts level. Sharp launched a booming goalkick that seemed to pose little danger until a breakdown in communications saw Vill Powell sneak in between Mercer and his defence and dribble round the forlorn keeper before gleefully banging the ball into the empty net. Shell-shocked by this Dulwich were soon in deeper trouble as Powell turned provider scampering off down the left flank, despite protestations of offside, before centring the ball to fellow striker Knight who had the simple task of turning the ball past an incensed Mercer. Heated discussions with the officials ensued but to no avail and the goal stood.
With the heat taking its toll, changes were made throughout the half and two of Dulwich’s combined early on as tricky skills from Rob Hughes on the left paved the way for Charley Side’s to attempt a devilish curling effort from the edge of the box that had Sharp scurrying across his goal but was ultimately wide of the mark. Slack marking was almost punished when scorer Knight found himself unmarked at the back as he met a cross from the left wing but to Dulwich’s relief his header went astray.
On 69 minutes a Ferriby freekick caused some degree of panic in the Dulwich box but when Ian Ashby got his effort in Quarm popped up on his own goalline to boot the ball to safety. Two minutes later Dulwich introduced Frank Burton, a promising young striker recommended by old hand and fans’ favourite Lee Akers, and he was to have an almost instantaneous effect. Quarm’s tenacious tackling won the ball in midfield and he found Side in the D with an adroit pass. Side instantly fed Burton who had left his marker for dead before drawing Sharp and with a composed finish, he levelled the score. Indeed the new lad might have further endeared himself to the travelling faithful in stoppage time when a long ball saw Side hare away before centring to Burton, but this time his finishing was less effective as he lifted the ball over the keeper and bar.
At the end of a gruelling day that had begun at 8.00 a.m. in the car park at Champion Hill, an honourable draw seemed a fitting result, although the first-rate hosts were probably more pleased.

Team: James Mercer; Justin Bowen; Luke Basford; Dave Richards; Chris Currie; Nick Leach; Francis Quarm; Junior Kadi; Declan Perkins; Paul Scott; Ryan Pacey

Subs used: Tony Chin; Charley Side; Rob Hughes; Ward Trowman; Michael Ebanks; Jimmy Goldsmith; Frank Burton; Danny Ward; Danny Twin

Sex and the suburbs: Howard Jacobson's Dulwich

Middle-class respectability prevails, the schools are reassuringly private and well-heeled professionals abound. Just don't look behind the bushes, warns Roger Wilkes of the Daily Telegraph

People flock to Dulwich for three reasons: education, education, education
Why write about Dulwich?
Like other middle-class, south London suburbs, it represents a familiar domestic universe. The novel's hero, raunchy TV critic Frank Ritz, is thrown out of his whitewashed cottage on a village green in Dulwich. ("Dulwich! A garden. A wooden fence. Space. Death with a whiff of life in it.") Jacobson may have had in mind a real-life group of cottages overlooking a duckpond in Dulwich Village. It is divided into three parts: to the north is Dulwich Village, the poshest bit; West Dulwich, where property is cheaper; and East Dulwich, favoured by wealthy young trendies with its excellent links to the City.
While Dulwich might not have been Frank Ritz's cracker of a place, it was a favourite with Dickens's Mr Pickwick ("one of the most pleasant spots near London"). Hard-boiled crime novelist Raymond Chandler lived there as a young journalist in the early 20th century, attacking middle-class conformity in his essay Houses To Let, in which he rails against "the paramount bourgeois spirit . . . those clean smug bookcases which seem to cry aloud that they have as little as possible to do with literature or learning." Chandler attended Dulwich College, as did P G Wodehouse, whose ill-advised broadcasts during the Second World War led to calls for his name to be stricken from the school's roll of honour.
There's a cluster of exquisite Georgian houses in Dulwich Village (the best road and very expensive) but the local stock is mostly Edwardian, highly sought-after by families (which is why it is known locally as "Nappy Land").
What's it like in the book?
In the book, Dulwich seems to stand for suburbia incarnate, very different from the traditional Jewish background in Manchester in which Jacobson was brought up. Frank gets out it of as fast as he can, gunning his Saab over the Shepherd's Bush flyover and up the M40 to Oxford, "scrotum as tight as a bag of pennies". He's fleeing from wife Mel, who writes pornographic novels, and with whom he used to enjoy alfresco sex, not always unabashedly: "Jesus Christ, Mel, this is Dulwich Park! We live here!"
When Frank returns to Dulwich from touring his old "shtupping" (love-making) haunts, the house bears no traces of another man, just a bulging brown envelope on the hall table containing Mel's latest juicy pornoscript. "So this is why she's allowed him back; not because she's polished off a lover, but because she's polished off a book. He isn't sure whether he's relieved. What's worse, being in competition with the rest of your sex, or being in competition with literature?"
Has it changed?
No. Jacobson's book was only published in 1998. (It was not critically acclaimed: Germaine Greer peered askance at the novel's priapic preoccupations and called it "an organ concerto which rarely rises to the vox humana".) People flock to Dulwich for three reasons: education, education and education. There are several top private schools including Dulwich College, Alleyn's School and James Allen's Girls' School, and excellent state infant and junior schools. People scramble to be in their catchment areas, and that keeps prices up.
Dulwich may be suburban, but it is a proper village, complete with bookshop, boulangerie, deli, pretty park and even country-style fingerposts. The journey by rail from North Dulwich to London Bridge takes just 12 minutes. Dulwich Picture Gallery, the oldest public art gallery in England, designed by Sir John Soane, opened in 1814.
There's very little for sale in Dulwich Village. That's partly due to a seasonal lull, but mainly because September 11 had a huge impact on the property market hereabouts. "There's a lot of big money around here," explains Caroline Le Gassick, of Spencer Kennedy, "and if the financial markets aren't happy, the property market doesn't move."
Who lives there?
Local celebs include the Governor of the Bank of England, Eddie George. Dulwich attracts hordes of wealthy professionals such as bankers, lawyers and doctors. "If there's anything wrong with you," says one agent, "you can always find a consultant in Dulwich." But many teachers who used to live there have been priced out of the market.
Dulwich Village residents include the Scottish actor Iain Glen, who starred with Nicole Kidman on stage in The Blue Room. In more cosmopolitan (and more affordable) East Dulwich, watch out for TV stars from The Bill and The Thin Blue Line.
Three of a costly kind: on the market in Dulwich
£645,000 Sitting proudly in the Village itself, four bedrooms don't come cheap around here. Harvey & Wheeler (020 8693 4321)
£595,000 The owners of this 1960s log cabin are pioneering in both postcode (SE26) and style. Spencer Kennedy (020 8693 7835).
£750,000 Once known as West Norwood, now it is West Dulwich and prices have risen. Five bedrooms. Volker & Volker (020 8670 8000).

CROYDON FC 2 DULWICH HAMLET 1

CROYDON FC 2 DULWICH HAMLET 1
London Senior Cup Final
@ Brisbane RoadWednesday 1st May 2002

Dulwich’s season ended in the misery of defeat in controversial circumstances at Leyton Orient last Wednesday as a disputed penalty in stoppage time saw Premier Division Croydon claim the silverware. The manner of the reverse left manager Martin Eede seething, but it could take nothing away from what had been a magnificent performance by the Hamlet lads in trying circumstances, particularly in light of a refereeing performance that would have seen the man in black lucky to escape with his life had it been on nearby Hackney Marshes.

Even before the first ball had been kicked, referee Jonathan Bottomer had hardly endeared himself to the Hamlet management when he objected to the lightweight cast worn by Nick Leach to protect his broken hand, a cast he had worn in the final league game of the season at Oxford four days earlier without a word of complaint from the officials. Plagued with myriad injuries and suspensions, Eede was forced into last minute alterations to an already depleted line-up.

Dulwich’s task was then made more tricky by a cloudburst that inundated Brisbane Road minutes before kick-off leaving titanic puddles across the pitch. The conditions however played straight into the hands of Croydon, suiting their direct style whereas the Hamlet found their free-flowing passing game constantly stymied by the flooded surface.

An early corner posed problems for the Dulwich defence, with Croydon’s main sharpshooter Nic McDonnell having a half chance blocked shortly afterwards. Dulwich, backed by a raucous chorus of fans who constantly outsung the small pocket of Tramspotters, responded with a teasing cross from Eben Allen that Croydon keeper Matt Martin just managed to claim ahead of the lurking Charley Side. Martin was again brought into the action as Side’s shot took a deflection off Mark Dickinson.

McDonnell, a rare bright light in a pedestrian side, showed his threat soon after with a glancing header from a Danny Bower freekick that went narrowly wide of James Mercer’s left upright.

After Side had tested Martin with an exquisite lob, Croydon were recipients of a huge slice of luck as they snatched the lead on the half-hour mark. Matt Crome bundled Danny Moore off the ball on the left flank before providing the perfect cross for McDonnell to meet with a powerful downward header. Mercer seemed to have it covered but misjudged the sodden turf as the ball bounced over his body. A ripple of applause rang from the Croydon minority but going behind only served to steel the Hamlet further and with Junior Kadi spraying balls around from midfield and the pace of Side and Allen causing constant worries for the Trams, Dulwich’s boisterous fans found greater voice to urge their heroes forward. Surviving a scare when Mark Dickinson shot took a wicked deflection only for Mercer to pull off a fine save, Dulwich were coming more and more into the game.

Now attacking the end that housed the bulk of the Hamlet supporters, the Pink and Blues continued the good work in the second half. Within three minutes, the Hamlet were on level terms. Kadi’s intelligent freekick split the defence and in slid Side, the poacher supreme, with his first touch putting the ball beyond reach of the keeper. Buoyed by this Dulwich became the dominant force and it was all Croydon could do to hang on.
Seven minutes after the equaliser Dulwich were convinced that they had taken the lead when Kadi’s corner was met by Side with a crisp header. The ball looked to have crossed the goal line but to the disbelief of players and supporters alike, referee Bottomer elected to wave play on.

Pressing ever on there was only one team in it, but like the fatal words of Kevin Keegan, that would come back to haunt the Hamlet. Again they were denied when Rob French’s effort was cleared off the line on 70 minutes after Kadi and Jon Ashton had combined in fine style to provide the opening.
Dulwich goalscorer Charley Side takes on a host of befuddled Croydon players

Extra time loomed but fate had one cruel blow left to deal. Having instructed the fourth official to indicate that only a minute of stoppage time would be played, the referee had already allowed three minutes to play when the killer blow was struck. Barry Kingsford found McDonnell with a cross from the right. With Danny Twin in close attendance, the Croydon striker turned on the ball before crashing to the floor in theatrical style. Incredibly the referee was taken in by this charade and to incredulity from the stunned Dulwich players pointed to the spot. All Dulwich’s hopes now rested on the young shoulders of Mercer but although he made a brave effort to reach the spotkick, McDonnell’s crack was expertly placed, giving Mercer no chance.

Dulwich barely had time to mount another last ditch attack before the whistle blew. Robbed of glory, the Dulwich players were inconsolable at the end but with the songs of the faithful still ringing in their ears it will surely not be long before this promising and talented group of players bring honours back to Champion Hill.

Team: James Mercer; Danny Twin; Jon Ashton; Lee Akers; Dave Richards; Danny Moore; Rob French; Ryan Pacey (George Gibson); Junior Kadi; Charley Side; Eben Allen
Subs not used: Francis Quarm; Declan Perkins; Engin Salih

Dulwich Hamlet 3 St Albans City 2

After the disappointments of midweek, Dulwich finished their league with a late fightback, capped by Francis Duku’s first ever goal for the club, which ensured a top ten finish in the Ryman Premier Division. All the more pleasing were that the victims were St Albans City won had inflicted a crushing 4-1 victory over the Hamlet back in November when Dave Garland’s men were within touching distance of the top spot. That game was really the turning point of a season that promised so much as the Hamlet lost 3 of their next four league games and were dumped unceremoniously out of the FA Trophy at lowly Burnham. Ah revenge is sweet particularly when this victory robbed St Albans of third place in the division.
The success of the Reserve side in winning the Suburban League Championship was recognised with more of their number gaining call-ups. On a baking day more suited to sunbathing, Peter Garland was rested with Mark McGibbon continuing in his stead to partner Dean Green. For the opposition there was the welcome sight of that great Dulwich nemesis for too many years, Steve Clark, resting his elderly legs on the bench.
The game got off to a sensational start when, with just three minutes elapsed, the visitors were awarded a penalty after Chris Piper was tripped by Tony Chin in the box. His brother Lenny, a full-time professional with the Saints, stepped up to take the kick, but Dulwich custodian Les Cleevely made a splendid save to block his effort. First to the loose ball was Martin Randall, but once again Captain Cleevely was equal to the shot, getting down to block the follow-up. Ah, so many in the ground bemoaned, three days too late. If only he had managed one or two like this at Dagenham, Dulwich fans might still be chanting ‘Champions of London’.
However, this was to prove merely a brief respite as St Albans grabbed the lead just nine minutes later. Once again poor defending offered the Saints an opening and when the ball swung into the area it found Rob Simpson standing alone in the six-yard box from whence he bundled the ball over the line to give his side the lead.
At this stage, it seemed as if there was little way back for the Hamlet so early in the game. St Albans dominated position for vast tracts of play and constantly threatened to add to their lead but somehow the Hamlet rearguard stood firm against wave upon wave of yellow and blue attacks. It seemed as if Dulwich still suffered a hangover from Wednesday’s defeat and Noel Imber’s goal was rarely threatened. Indeed until stoppage time at the end of the half, all the Hamlet had to show on the attempts sheet was a effort from inside the box by Danny Carroll that caused more worries for anyone taking a shortcut across Greendale than the St Albans keeper.
Suddenly as the game moved into added time at the end of the half, Dulwich sprung into life. Carroll laid the ball outside to Gary Hewitt, haring up the right wing like a man half his age, and the veteran utility player, in his testimonial season, unleashed a fiery shot on the run. Despite a wicked curl on the ball that was taking the ball away from him, Imber managed to throw himself across his goal to turn the ball behind for a corner kick. Two minutes later, deep in added time, came the equaliser. Dulwich won a hotly-disputed freekick on the right side of the box and when Tony Houghton’s freekick swung in there was Carroll rising in the box to flick a textbook header beyond the grasp of Imber and just inside his right-hand post.
The second half began as dramatically as the first had finished. Six minutes in and the Saints had regained the lead with a goal straight from the Route One school. Francis Duku was penalised for climbing in the St Albans box and as Dulwich struggled to get back, Imber launched the ball upfield. Suddenly it resembled the final of the 100-metre sprint as defenders and attackers chased after the ball. Cleevely came out to meet the ball, but abruptly found himself in No Mans Land as Randall won the race for the ball and succinctly lobbed the ball over the stranded keeper and into the unguarded net.
Dulwich came back fighting and might have grabbed a second equaliser within 6 minutes. The ball was swept out to Houghton on the left who picked out Duku in the middle. The centre-half’s measured header was met by the diving head of McGibbon, receiving close attention from a defender, but went inches the wrong side of the post.
The game might have been lost had St Albans converted some of their later chances into goals but somehow Lady Luck seemed to be smiling on the Hamlet. Only fair, I suppose considering what she did from a great height on Wednesday! Cleevely pulled off another fine save to deny Randall, then was involved in the game’s most controversial moments. Attempting a back pass, Tony Chin could only look on in alarm as an evil bounce off the hard surface, threatened to deceive Cleevely. Somehow he managed to turn the ball over the crossbar for a corner. Corner? Even Dulwich fans admitted it should have been an indirect freekick for the back pass, but to their credit, the Saints accepted Mr Horwood’s decision albeit with some bemusement. They almost received retribution with Simpson’s volley from close in, but a Dulwich boot on the line denied them the pleasure.
With quarter of an hour left on the clock came a new set of tactics from manager Dave Garland. Off came McGibbon to be replaced by Dean Palmer. Up front in McGibbon’s stead went Duku, who has been threatening to become a striker for the past few games. Not that it was realised at the time but this was to be an inspired decision.
There seemed little sigh of a breakthrough as the game moved into its final throes and so two final substitutions for the Hamlet. Making his second appearance for the first team was Marcus Dussard, switching with a man, Hewitt, who made his debut for Dulwich when his replacement was still in nappies. Also there was a debut for Michael Ebanks, a lively left back who has progressed through Youth and Reserve ranks to earn his crack at first team football, replacing Tony Houghton. Both slotted in well and bode well for the future.
That first substitution paid dividends with just five minutes to go. The ball made its way across the field to Palmer, in acres of space on the halfway line. Relishing the freedom to run at the defence, he advanced towards the goal, playing a neat one-two with Duku, before shaking off the challenge of Turner to slot the through the narrow gap between Imber and his left-hand post.
Then bang on the ninety minutes, the Hamlet completed a magnificent comeback. A needless foul on Veli Hakki by David Pratt saw the injured party whip in an inviting freekick that Imber managed to knock behind with Mark Garland steaming in. The danger intensified went the corner came in, falling to Dussard behind the defence. The youngster’s inch-perfect cross was met with the most delicate of glancing headers from Duku, leaving Imber rooted to the spot as the ball flashed past him for the winner. The big defender turned striker’s delight was unconfined. If the referee had allowed him a lap of honour, I am sure he would have obliged.
So three points to end the season with, but nowt in the trophy room for the first team. Dave Garland set himself the target of a top ten finish at the start of the season, and that has been achieved. However there is sure to be some dissatisfaction after the magnificent run at the start of the season. The success of the Reserves and the youngsters that have made the step up certainly bodes well for the future on the pitch. Now for a short summer break and it starts again come August.

Team:
Les Cleevely, Gary Hewitt (14: Marcus Dussard 82), Veli Hakki, Danny Carroll, Mark Garland, Francis Duku, John Cross, Tony Houghton (15: Michael Ebanks 82), Dean Green, Mark McGibbon (12: Dean Palmer 76), Tony Chin

Man of the Match: Gary Hewitt: Give that man a drug test. How can he still perform this well at his age? Covered every blade of grass, provided good service and almost grabbed a goal.

Dulwich Hamlet 2 Uxbridge 2 (AET FT 1-1) Uxbridge won 5-4 on penalties

Dulwich Hamlet 2 Uxbridge 2 (AET FT 1-1)

Uxbridge won 5-4 on penalties

London Challenge Cup Final

On the 16th of May last year, Les Cleevely triumphantly held aloft the London Challenge Cup at Charlton’s Valley ground. In altogether different surroundings, the cup was heartbreakingly wrenched from the Hamlet’s grasp in the cruellest of circumstances – a penalty shoot-out. At 10.35 p.m. on a dank evening in the heart of industrial Essex, Sean Dawson’s save from Veli Hakki’s penalty gave Uxbridge the Cup for the third time, leaving Dulwich players to reflect on missed chances and defensive errors that could have rendered penalties, indeed even extra-time, totally unnecessary.
From reasons known only to the bigwigs of the London FA, a team from South London and one from Middlesex were forced to made the long trip down the A13 to Dagenham to contest one of the most prestigious of County Cups. Indeed Uxbridge’s Supporter’s coach only made it to Victoria Road at 7-45; just a couple of minutes before the game eventually kicked off. Dave Garland was able to welcome his son Peter back into the line-up, although one doubts whether wild horses would have stopped him making an appearance even if his leg had been severed in that tackle on this very ground. Indeed Peter was to have a telling influence on the pattern of the game, until obviously tired, he was replaced at the start of extra-time.
From the start Dulwich looked the livelier, although it was the Dulwich goal that was threatened first with Uxbridge striker Lee Tunnell wasted a couple of good chances early on. Indeed, despite Dulwich controlling midfield through Peter Garland, the threat of an Uxbridge goal was not far away and both Kevin Smith and Francis Duku made vital interceptions in the box to deny Jamie Cleary and Dean Clarke respectively.
In the 14th minute Dulwich tested the evening’s eventual hero for the first time, when Danny Carroll met Peter Garland’s lofted ball with a thumping header at the back post, only for Dawson to parry his effort at the base of the post. The ball ran loose to Carroll who tried to square it back across goal, but despite the best efforts of John Cross to knock it in, the defence managed to clear their lines. 4 minutes later and Gary Hewitt tried an audacious lob that landed on the roof of the net before Tony Houghton’s hurried low drive was well off the intended target.
In the 24th minute, the deadlock was broken but not without much protest from Uxbridge. Dean Green burst into the box from the right, battling with Phil Granville on the goalline. The burly defender stumbled as he and Green battled for the ball. As he sprawled on the floor, he handled the ball in a bizarre effort to pretend he was getting his arms out of the way. Referee Alex Valentino, a scourge of the Hamlet in the past, most recently at Gravesend and Northfleet where he showed red cards to Carl Bartley and Peter Garland, had no hesitation in awarding a penalty despite protestations from the Uxbridge players. Cool as a cucumber up stepped Peter Garland to the spot and despatched the penalty wide of Dawson’s outstretched left hand to give the Hamlet the lead.
Despite going close on a number of occasions, most notably when Carroll had the ball whipped away from him by Mark Weedon after Green had pulled the ball back from the corner flag, the Uxbridge goal remained unbreached. Then, in the 32nd minute, Green spurted clear of a leaden-footed rearguard, only to hold the ball up when a full-frontal attack on Dawson’s goal seemed the best option. Instead, he found Peter Garland, who attempted an exquisite chip from distance. It looked goalbound all the way until that man Dawson intervened again tipping the ball over the bar at full stretch. From the corner, Dulwich were caught on the hop and it took a fine piece of defending from Hewitt, outpacing younger limbs to get back and hold up Chris Moore, who fluffed a poor shot wide.
Turning round 1-0 up it seemed as if the Cup was there for the taking and more so as Dulwich started the second half in top gear. Despite an early scare as the defence struggled to clear a freekick, it was the Uxbridge goal that bore the brunt of the initial action. Green’s screamer from the left flashed across the face of Dawson’s goal but whizzed just past the angle. Then a couple of minutes later Dawson was in the thick of the action again pushing over a close range headed from Green that seemed destined for the back of the net.
The importance of that save was underlined in the 64th minute, when a disastrous back pass from Green let in Uxbridge for the equaliser. As fans looked on in horror, Green attempted to find Cleevely with a pass from near the halfway line only to find the grateful Tunnell nipping in behind. Cleevely attempted to beat him to the ball, but the striker had the simple task of rounding the keeper and slipping the ball into the net.
Shocked by this catastrophe, the Hamlet hit back at the Uxbridge goal straight away, but Dawson seemed impregnable pushing out Carroll’s shot across the face of goal. The ball was not cleared and Green seemed to be fouled as a mess of legs tackled for the ball, but this time Mr Valentino resembled his namesake and remained silent. Likewise moments later when Tunnell went down in the box, amid pleas from his teammates.
The goal had given the men from Middlesex renewed confidence and they began causing the Hamlet defence myriad problems. Despite Duku being a hairsbreadth away from meeting a corner, won by Dean Palmer who had replaced Hewitt minutes before the equaliser, the bulk of the action switched to the opposite end. Smith incurred the wrath of the referee and a yellow card for a reckless late challenge on Moore as the pressure and the tension grew. Cleevely looked comfortable making a save from Clark’s close range header, but within a minute substitute Nicky Ryder had broken through to drill a shot wide of the keeper left hand post.
Chances were coming thick and fast as the advantage swung to Uxbridge, and after his opposite number’s earlier heroics now it was the turn of Cleevely to earn his corn, smother the ball at the feet of Clark after Tunnell had slipped the ball through to him. Five minutes later and he denied Moore, turning his low shot around the post. As the game moved into stoppage time Dulwich were forced into ever more desperate measures to clear their lines. Two stunning diving headers from Palmer aided the resistance and somehow the Dulwich goal weathered an interminable 5 minutes of stoppage time that seemed to last an eternity.
So, twelve months on, Dulwich and Uxbridge would be forced onto the field for a further half-an-hour’s football to determine who would be the last to lift the London Challenge Cup. Mark McGibbon was brought on to replace Peter Garland, looking suitably tired after 90 minutes of 110% effort.
Both sides created opportunities in the opening exchanges of extra-time, but it was Dulwich who regained the lead in the 99th minute through Tony Chin’s fourth goal of the season. A corner was only half cleared to Smith and when he despatched a teasing cross into the box, it ran loose straight as defenders and attackers battled for the ball. Chin picked it up just inside the box, slamming the ball in the back of the net off the outside of his boot. For once Dawson could only look in dismay as the ball curled past his powerless hand.
As the teams turned round 6 minutes later, Dulwich knew that to hold on for a further 15 minutes would cement their place in history. Sadly, it was not to be. Moments into the second half of extra-time, the passion boiled over after an atrocious foul on Chin by Stuart Bamford. The game threatened to degenerate into an unseemly brawl before wiser and cooler heads, among them Dulwich captain Cleevely, brokered a nervous peace. Then four minutes in the half Uxbridge found themselves level once again courtesy of another ghastly error in defence. Duku, attempting to dribble the ball out of his own penalty area when a swift hoof into Row Z would have sufficed, was caught in possession by Ryder. Despite appeals that the Dulwich defender had been the victim of an illegal assault, the substitute pulled the ball back to the unmarked Gavin Bamford who rammed the ball past Cleevely from ten yards out.
Once again Uxbridge raised their game after this gift and, as the ball pinged from one end of the field to the other, Uxbridge supporters finally found a voice to try and compete with the Rabble who had been vociferous throughout. Living on a knife-edge, the action swung from end to end. Clark struck a post from 20 yards, with Simon Poulter sticking his follow-up into the side netting. Next minute it was the Hamlet on the attack and Green feeding Palmer, steaming up the right, only for him to put the ball wide of the post with only Dawson to beat.
Disaster struck with just 4 minutes left on the clock when Carroll was forced to leave the field of play, limping badly, to be replaced by Hakki. Tony Houghton’s piledriver that Dawson grabbed at the second attempt was Dulwich’s last serious effort as the final seconds became one-way traffic, with Cleevely’s goal leading a charmed life. Twice the lines were cleared at the last gasp, then in stoppage Cleevely denied Clark with a stunning save, turning his ferocious shot onto the post.
So it was that the last ever London Challenge Cup would be decided by that cruellest of footballing mistresses – the penalty shoot-out. Two hours of football and the destiny of the trophy would be decided by the ability of tired legs to summon up enough strength to beat a goalkeeper from 12 yards. Cleevely was a whisker away from getting his hand on Clark’s first kick, but it was 0-1. Next up Smith for Dulwich. Then disaster! As he went to kick the ball, his legs disappeared from under him and the ball sailed over the bar. Next three Uxbridge penalties. Goal – Kevin Cleary. Goal – Nicky Ryder. Goal – Chris Moore. Next three Dulwich penalties. Goal – Dean Green. Goal – Tony Houghton. Goal – John Cross. So the score stood at 4-3 to Uxbridge. The fate of the cup rested with Mark Weedon, but he rattled the ball against the post. Dulwich were still there. Mark Garland had to score to send the contest into sudden death. To the immense relief of Dulwich supporters he rolled the ball into the left-hand corner of the goal and things were level. Now for sudden death. Taking the mantle of responsibility himself, Uxbridge’s captain Mark Gill strode purposefully to the spot, smashing the ball into the back of the net. Cleevely was close to saving it but the power of the shot beat him. For a moment, Dulwich seemed unsure as to would be taking their sixth penalty then the diminutive figure of Hakki stepped forward. All voices hushed as he took the kick, then a mixture of groans and cheers shattered the silence. Groans from Dulwich, cheers from Uxbridge for their hero of the hour keeper Dawson who had won them the cup with a simple save from a nervous kick.
A funereal atmosphere descended on the Dulwich camp, as their realisation sank in the first team’s season would be without a silver lining. Dave Garland and Micky Read wandered amongst their players tried to console them but deep down they knew that in truth this Cup had not been won by Uxbridge but lost, nay thrown away, by Dulwich.

Team:
Les Cleevely, Gary Hewitt (12: Dean Palmer 61), Kevin Smith, Danny Carroll (14: Veli Hakki 116), Mark Garland, Francis Duku, John Cross, Tony Houghton, Dean Green, Peter Garland (15: Mark McGibbon 91), Tony Chin,

Man of the Match: Peter Garland: Ran the show in midfield and his departure before extra-time was the turning point.

Hamlet History : 1938/39 London Senior Cup.

It is well known that Dulwich were one of the teams to emerge well from World War One. Wartime games gave the club a chance to blood some of the up and coming youngsters, including one Edgar Kail. We reaped the benefit of this in 1919/1920. Sadly the club were not so lucky in World War Two. Dulwich had assembled a fine team prior to the war, many of whom lost their peak footballing years to the conflict. Whilst we were not badly hit in terms of the number of casualties, compared to World War One, two of the four deceased were the key players in the Hamlet team prior to the war. Somehow Dulwich were never to be quite as effective post war as they were prior to it. Sadly the 1938/39 season hinted that the team had much to offer in happier circumstances.

We appear to have begun the London Senior Cup campaign in the Second Round when Barking visited Champion Hill in January. Included in their team should have been an ex Hamlet legend, Bill Caesar. As it was Joe Lee was drafted in at the last moment to replace him. Lee was to hit the headlines in this match. He was carried off in the first half but returned five minutes later. Initially he hobbled along the left wing but soon moved back into his old inside berth. At the end of the match he collapsed in the changing room and, on examination, was found to have played for sixty minutes with a broken leg.
The match itself was a drab affair. Barking regularly caught the Hamlet offside, whilst Champion Hill was a quagmire, making constructive football rather difficult. The only goal came on 25 minutes. Reg Anderson, a highly talented winger, released Beglan with the Barking defence standing still, looking for another offside decision. This time Beglan had timed his run to perfection and as Wilson, “Barking’s midget ‘keeper, rushed out he slipped the ball into the net”. There was little action at the Hamlet end and Dulwich were good value for their win.

Later that month Dulwich had to travel to Wealdstone in the Quarter Final. A crowd of 4 – 5000 enjoyed a thrilling match that seemed destined for extra time when Barker lobbed the ball past his own ‘keeper in the 82nd minute to give Dulwich a 2-1 victory.

The Hamlet had got off to a fine start when Lewis was unable to save a shot from Goodliffe after four minutes. The rebound fell to Ball who slotted his shot home. Within five minutes Wealdstone were level, Wilson scoring after a corner. From then on in it was a fairly even game, with neither side looking likely to score until the own goal. The last eight minutes saw the Dulwich net besieged however Wealdstone were unable to score. Dulwich were perhaps a bit lucky that the referee turned down a penalty appeal in the last minute.

February saw the semi final, Dulwich enjoying home pitch advantage over Enfield. The 4-1 scoreline looks quite comprehensive, in reality it was a much tighter game. The Enfield ‘keeper, F.J. Bennett, was unavailable. His replacement, F. Groom, dropped out, third choice L. Sterling was drafted in. His errors were responsible for three of the Hamlet goals. In the fifth minute he caught a simple shot from Beglan, only to drop it over the line. Minutes later Parr was to benefit from his very late dive, allowing him to make it 2-0. Twelve minutes into the second half a Goodliffe shot wormed its way under Groom’s dive. Parr then cut in to shoot home the fourth goal before Snazel scored a consolation effort for the Athenian league team.

The final was held at Millwall and attracted a crowd of 18 000. Dulwich were pitted against Erith and Belvedere. Again the Hamlet enjoyed a good start. After just three minutes Anderson passed through to Bill Parr, the winger slammed a cross over. Right back Bennett ran in and crashed a shot past his own goalkeeper to give Hamlet an early lead. Erith never really recovered. Powell, Weymouth and Robbins blocked their rare attacks whilst the attack were too lively for the Erith defence, who were reduced to playing the offside trap.

Dulwich could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty, Cecil Murray shooting wide after Parr had his legs taken away as he bore down on goal. Eight minutes before the interval Henry Ball broke down the offside trap and “strolled through the middle to put a snorting ground shot inches inside the post.”. Goalkeeper Barron was in fine form and denied Dulwich many more goals. He often frustrated Anderson and Ball, in particular. In the 85th minute he was finally beaten again. Ball appeared to have run the ball out of play before crossing the ball to Anderson who shot home to complete a 3-0 victory.

Anderson and Parr had run riot down their flank, Erith were totally unable to contain them. Sadly both were to lose their lives in World War Two. They had the makings of a fine partnership. Parr had only recently joined the club from Blackpool, his work brought him to London. Reg Anderson had remained with the club despite his job moving to Cardiff halfway through the season. He guested in one game for Cardiff City, and was man of the match, but decided to stay with the Hamlet. He wasn’t the only player in the team to travel long distances to play for Dulwich. Goalkeeper H.H.C. Hill travelled in from Weymouth. Incidentally on signing for the club in December 1936 Hill became the first player we had ever signed from another Isthmian League team. Even this was a technicality. He was a northerner and had played for the likes of Yorkshire Amateurs and Sheffield Wednesday before moving south and joining Dulwich. Prior to his move south he had played one game for the Casuals, as emergency cover, hence we had to obtain his registration from them.

What seems clear is that the Dulwich team of 1938/39 was a fine team, with its best days yet to come. It is a shame that we will never know exactly what the side would have been capable of had the war not intervened.

Dulwich Hamlet team for the final:-
H.H.C. Hill; D.S. Weymouth; H.S. Robbins; C. Murray; C.V. Powell; A.J. Hugo; W.W. Parr; R.S. Anderson; H.J. Ball; S. Lewis; B.D. Beglan.

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