Exclusive: Dulwich Hamlet weighing up three stadiums as potential groundshares
By Richard Cawley
richard@slpemedia.co.uk
Dulwich Hamlet are set to visit three grounds today as they weigh up alternative ground-shares – with their licence to play at Champion Hill terminated with immediate effect.
The Bostik League Premier Division side – top of the table after a 3-1 win at Billericay last night – claim they have been handed a £121,000 bill for back rent by Meadow Residential, who own their stadium.
Dulwich are due to be at home to Worthing on March 17. They have five home games left to go in the regulation season, but with the potential for more if they end up in the play-offs.
Hamlet manager Gavin Rose said: “Without naming names, we are going to see three clubs today about a possible groundshare.
“All three have been very receptive. We have had offers all over the place to finish our games but distance is important and some of these are unrealistic. It is very much welcome for us as a gesture alone.
“We have had so much support from clubs in non-league football, offering their ground and not even asking for any charge. They’ve said ‘we want you to get through until the end of the season and see where you go from there’.
“Once we have been around those three clubs then we’ll have a better idea where we are playing next week. It is in our interests to try and get an agreement done today. But for all sorts of reasons that might not happen. The league will need certain things.”
Asked if Dulwich will play another match at Champion Hill this season, Rose replied: “As things stand, no.
“But we know that other things have changed a lot – dramatically – in the last week or two. You never know what is going to happen next. There is a lot riding on it for the owners of the club.
“They may change tact, for whatever reason, and we may still play at Champion Hill next Saturday. But we are very optimistic either way that we will continue until the end of the season. That won’t be an issue. The supporters and the community, in particular, have been fantastic, and really shown an unbelievable level of commitment to the cause – above and beyond.”
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