Dulwich Hamlet FC memories

[Inbetweener]

Having thoroughly enjoyed reading through a long thread on the V1/V2 attacks on our area in the Second world War I thought I would appeal for peoples' memories on here on another subject.

I am a lifelong supporter of Dulwich Hamlet FC, for over forty years now, man and boy.

I'm interested in your memories of supporting the Club, anecdotal or your own, perhaps handed down by a relative, if you weren't a fan yourself.

Or just memories of the Club or ground if you supported another football team.

It doesn't matter if you're a lapsed fan and haven't been for years. I'd love to hear about trips to the ground; players you remember; specific games; trips to away games; memories of other grounds; what the Club meant to you; various probably long forgotten characters on the terraces; who you went with and why...all that sort of thing...

In nervous anticipation, I thank anyone and everyone who can contribute to this thread...

[Inbetweener]

Although there's been no response to this, people who are interested in local history, might like to look at this 'labour of love' by one of our fans...there's some great historical pieces on here:

http://thehamlethistorian.blogspot.co.uk/

[colin d.]

Hi. I am Colin the handyman. I remember going to Dulwich hamlet in the 70s. The entrance to the ground was the dirt track by the side of the hamlet fish bar. In those days you would be lucky to have 300 at the games. They had a practice pitch at the back of the main stand. I remember we had a five a side team and they very kindly let us train with them a few times. I felt like a superstar training with the likes of Ossie Bayram and others including 1 of the Lewington family who are still well known in the game nowadays. Going away was like a family day out as you knew nearly everyone on normally half filled coach. Great old memories. Colin

[Lynne]

I once had a photo of DH paying Torquay in, if I remember, 1927. tried both clubs to see if they were interested, but couldn't find anyone.

[Inbetweener]

Shame...would have loved to have seen it.

We played Torquay United at home in the FA Cup first round proper in 1934/35 & 1935/36.

[Lynne]

I know where it is - it's gone to a Torquay supporter (one of the select number). If I can ever got hold of it again I'll take a copy

[millwallmal]

My father, Jack Kennedy, who some of you may remember, was a lifelong fan & follower of DHFC. He took me to my first away game, circa 1954/5, which was an FA Cup tie at Wycombe Wanderers. In those days, The Hamlet had a considerable following, so much so that there was a special train laid on (the 1st of many 'football specials' I travelled on). This train originated at London Bridge and called at all stations to Streatham Hill then fast to High Wycombe. For those of you who are interested, the train was hauled there & back by an in-rebuilt Bulleid light pacific. I was only about 6yrs old, a great day out !....Sorry, can't remember the score though.

[rendelharris]

By the magic of the internet Mal, looks like it was probably the Wycombe Hospital Cup (Dulwich and Wycombe didn't meet in the FA cup that season) and Wycombe won 2-1: http://www.chairboys.co.uk/results/54_55.htm

Love the sound of a "football special"!

[Zak]

I wonder how many people remember seeing Peter Crouch playing for Dulwich Hamlet.

Yes, it's true! It was in 2000. Dulwich had a centre forward who interested Spurs and in order to secure his services, they offered a pre-season friendly( I believe) and lent us Peter Crouch for 6 games. At that point he'd not broken into the Spurs 1st team and as I remember, it looked like he never would! He loped around the opposition's box for 6 games and scored one goal. But how wrong I was!

Oh yes......our centre forward - pretty much never heard of again.

Zac

[Inbetweener]

Certainly didn't look like he'd make it as high as he did, but from memory our ex-pro and much overweight but very skilled playmaker Peter 'Blobby' Garland was injured...and I think he was the only one who would have been 'on the same wavelength' as Peter Crouch. I could see what he was trying to do, but it was 'one step ahead' of the rest of our team at the time.

But his attitude was good, and that is often what makes the difference between making it as a professional and not. I think that those of us who remember him, even though he only played a very small 'bit part' in our Club, are extremely proud of what he has achieved.

[nic32]

Has anyone got information on Eric Mulley. He played for Dulwich Hamlet as well as capped for England football and cricket teams?

[EDOldie]

I remember seeing Chelsea play at Dulwich Hamlet, I'm sure it was an evening match must have been around 1973/4 I think.

[Odette17]

Hi I used to go down the hamlet quite often sometimes at half time you could get in for nuffink it was in the late 50s and into the 60s when I used to go I remember players such as Dave darvill reg merrit and I think a couple of wingers terry vale and terry dobbs I think that was there names always stood behind the goal and at half time changed ends I also got to play on the old ground in the seventies in a cup final for my local team and got to be in the home dressing room great memories of the old pink and blue kit there was an old lady who lived opposite me in ulverscroft road called Mary she was a true diehard supporter I know live in Norfolk so I'm keeping me eyes open to see if they play against teams like Lowestoft or Great Yarmouth

[BrandNewGuy]

Odette17 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi I used to go down the hamlet quite often

> sometimes at half time you could get in for

> nuffink it was in the late 50s and into the 60s

> when I used to go I remember players such as Dave

> darvill reg merrit and I think a couple of wingers

> terry vale and terry dobbs I think that was there

> names always stood behind the goal and at half

> time changed ends I also got to play on the old

> ground in the seventies in a cup final for my

> local team and got to be in the home dressing room

> great memories of the old pink and blue kit there

> was an old lady who lived opposite me in

> ulverscroft road called Mary she was a true

> diehard supporter I know live in Norfolk so I'm

> keeping me eyes open to see if they play against

> teams like Lowestoft or Great Yarmouth

There are a few teams in Hamlet's league that are not too far from you ? here are the relevant fixtures, but of course there might also be cup games up your way. Come and join the pink and blue travelling contingent :-)

Leiston (away) Aug 26

Lowestoft Town (away) Feb 10

Needham Market (away) Mar 24

[Odette17]

Cheers for that leiston and Lowestoft will be alright but I think needham is a bit far thanks anyway