The story of Dulwich Hamlet has not, in most recent times, always been a happy one. Pawns in the somewhat filthy world of developers and local authorities locked out of their home, Champion Hill since March 2018 and at one point told they had no legal right to call themselves by the club name they have had since 1893, it must have slightly soured their promotion to Conference South (although made it all the more impressive). Things are now, through campaigning, fundraising, and the efforts of the unsung heroes off it that always seem to have to take on these battles, on the up and they will soon be waving goodbye to their groundshare at the KNK Stadium. My plans for a trip to leady Dulwich were still dashed but he story of the Hamlet (as I am sure some people call it) plus their splendid club colours (twice now we have seen the Mighty Saints play teams whose kit contains pink this season) meant that this fixture was firmly on TLS’s ‘Negotiate an away day trip’ list.
And so it was that on a sunny and fresh Satday we were heading for Mitcham via East Croyden, which didn’t sound as leafy but did involve use of a tram! What will they think of next.
Sterling research by Julie ensured suitable pre-tram and pre-match re-fuelling.
It’s a tough gig, an away day
A meal fit for a TLF
Now tram stops aren’t difficult and the internet is quite informative as to where to get off for Imperial Fields (or the KNK Stadium if you insist) but Julie and I clearly look a little needy, as a Dulwich supporter made it his quest to make sure we alighted at the right stop and then adopted us for the duration of the walk to the ground. Hand-knitted scarf, this spry old boy provided us with a potted history of his club. He has been supporting them for longer than either of us had been alive so he knew his stuff.
It is an interesting place the KNK. Part of a wider sporting complex, when you stand behind the goals you tower over other sports pitches, giving you an alternative view should things not be too pretty on the football pitch you have paid to observe. The lacrosse game helped distract TLF from the fact that the Saints were soon a goal down; although I was slightly shocked to discover that players now wear American football style helmets. It wouldn’t have been allowed at Mallory Towers I can tell you. Enid Blyton would have been turning in her grave if she had witnessed that.
In the second half the Saints tried but were up against an obdurate and slightly cynical side which always combines well with a wimpy match official. Fortunately in the second half we backed onto another football match – Coventry City v Newcastle (or thereabouts) and TLF did get to witness the stunning Newcastle (or similar) winner that curled into the top corner from outside the box. It got the loudest TLF cheer of the day (well that and my burger).
Alternative viewing
Sorry to miss out on that trip to Champion Hill; maybe next year.
Mitcham Junction Fox