So there's now a game this Saturday & next

Saturday 20th October, away to Hampton & Richmond Borough supporters'; 10.30am kick off at Imber Court sportground.
And now the following week 'away' to Grays Athletic supporters' at Norman Park, in 'neutral' Bromley.
It seems that Andy had no response from the Gillingham supporters' team when trying to arrange a game.

I hope to include reports that some of you send in for both matches, but please note that they won't appear on here until the 1st of November, at least. This is because I am away from Tuesday 23rd October for a week, visiting Prague again, hopefully watching a mere three ice hockey games & seven football matches.

When I get back I'll put on any reports I'm sent.

IFA National Cup-We're through!

The National IFA Cup is an optional competition for IFA members, and not all clubs enter. This year clubs have been offered a sort of seeded draw at the early stages. You could opt to be regionalised, if you were concerned about long distance travelling; or you could opt for the 'national' part of the draw. Which was for the more adventurous, or gamblers who might want to play someone they haven't encountered before & have a 50/50 chance of a bit of a hike to an away game! We opted for the regionalised part of the draw.
A total of twenty eight teams have entered, from all over England & Scotland, which means a First Round of twelve ties, with four teams receiving byes to the last sixteen of the competition. And lady luck shone upon us, as we received one of those byes, along with Tranmere Rovers; Livingston & Dundee United!
The clubs having to play in the First Round are as follows:

Brentford v. Hearts
Hampton & Richmond Borough v. Queens Park Rangers
AFC Wimbledon v. Bury 'B'
Watford v. Kingstonian
Sheffield United v. Motherwell
Nottingham Forest v. Port Vale
Hull City v. Preston North End
Halifax Town v. Ayr United
Rochdale v. Chester City
Aberdeen v. Grimsby Town (something fishy about that tie!)
Airdrie v. Bury 'A'
Hibernian v. Raith Rovers

Awat to Hampton & Richmond Borough this Saturday:

So far we have just reached high enough squad numbers to be able to put out a minimum XI.
But it would be nice if more people could make themselves available. If you're undecided so far then let Andy know you can turn up ASAP at Andrew.Tucker@justice.gsi.gov.uk

If travelling by train from Waterloo Andy suggests the 09.06 from Waterloo. Alternatively he says get the 09.12 to Surbiton & change there.
I presume this is the trains for Thames Ditton, but Esher station is also quite close to Imber Court. He didn't actually state which station the trains were headed for in his email!

And maybe Gillingham supporters' the week after

on Saturday 27th October, in Sittingbourne, prior to our First Team match at Sittingbourne, in the Ryman Division One South.
Again, if you are interested in this, then please contact Andy ASAP, I believe he is trying to confirm the game at the moment.

Next game may be on Saturday 20th October:

The AFC Hornchurch supporters' match has now been cancelled, as Andy Tucker got no response from them, with regard to whether they were still up for the game, with the First Team game now being Friday night (tonight).
I'm not sure how many fans will make the trip tonight (hopefully 40 or 50, with it being FA Cup) but we will be boosted by a few of the Jalgpalihaigla lads who are in London for the England versus Estonia international tomorrow. It will be great to renew our aquaintance with some of them.

We have been asked by Hampton & Richmond Borough Supporters' Team if we would like to pop across South London on the 20th, & give them a game in the morning at Imber Court, the Metropolitan Police sportsground. (No, it won't be the main pitch!)
Somewhat embarrassingly as I type this Andy has had only three affirmative responses, which is-to be brutally blunt-a bloody disgrace! A Supporters' Team is about building bridges, socialising, enjoying the game regardless of ability or age, & promoting the name of Dulwich Hamlet.
Last season the 'Beaver Boys' came over to us, and we do NOT want to get a reputation for becoming a side that lets others down.
Funny how we can all make it when there's a European tour; or our own International Tournament at Champion Hill Stadium; or just down the road at Belair Park, or the all-weather at Dulwich College. There's ten people already shown an interest in going to Belgium in January. But only three to have a run out on a Saturday morning over in Esher? Something not right, surely?
So come on folks, the Hampton game isn't that far away, let Andy know you can play!
And it goes without saying that any Hamlet fans-old or new-who haven't turned out for us before, are more than welcome to offer their services.

Mid-season tour details:

Once again we are travelling at the end of January, this year not to Paris, but back to Namur, in Belgium, where we took part in the Paris St Germain (Belgium Branch) supporters' 5-a-side tournament back in May 2006.
We're not quite sure who we will be playing. It will either be PSG Belgium, if they're not scared to take us, never having beaten us in a full 90 minute eleven-a-side match! Or it might be a team comprised of the fans of Namur, who were promoted to the Belgian Second Division in the close season, after much internal Belgian footballing-political wrangling. no don't ask me, I have no idea what went on either, but the important thing is that they are now up!
The date of our trip will be the weekend of Saturday/Sunday 26th/27th January.
Please email Andy to let him know if you are interested, as he will need to sort out hotel arrangements. You will be responsible, as per usual, for your own travel. With Eurostar the best bet to Brussels. The 'bonus' of going this route is that it will give many of you your first glimpse of the new Eurostar terminal at St Pancras. Perfect! If you book early enough it is only £59 return, & you can also travel on to Namur & back to Brussels inclusive, if going there within 24 hours on the date on your ticket.
Of course this will mean that we miss a Dulwich Hamlet First Team match, which is at home to Walton & Hersham.
But then I don't look on it as missing a Dulwich Hamlet game, but representing the Club in another.

The next game(3):

Still a case of watch this space I'm afraid.
All was looking well and good, with an away draw to Ryman Premier Division pacesetters AFC Hornchurch in the FA Cup, due to be played next Saturday, the 13th October. Not 'weel & good' with the actual draw, it won't be an easy tie, but because Andy Tucker contacted them & arranged a friendly Supporters' match with them. It's always great to line up a bunch of fans who we've never taken on before.
But then...last night we hear that the Club has belatedly agreed to a Fright night game, with a 7.45pm kick off, which puts our one on the Saturday morning in doubt.
There is now the possibility of a game the following Saturday 21st October, away to Hampton & Richmond Borough supporters'; who have asked us for a game.
So when the next game actually is I do not know!
Keep on looking at the emails Andy sends out, and as I said at the beginning of this post: Watch this space!