All change!

Andy Tucker & Lawrence Marsh informed the squad today that they will be standing down from running "The Rabblers" after our end of January tour to Namur, in Belgium:

"This e-mail is to let you all know that Lawrence and I have decided to stand down from running the supporters team. We will continue to organise things up until the tour to Namur at the end of January, but will then be stepping down.
This is not a decision we have taken lightly having thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the organisation of the team over the last four years. However, both of us have found it increasingly difficult to dedicate the time necessary to organising matches this season, and the various other tasks that it involves and this has been reflected in arranging less matches and getting less players (other than the last match against Bromley obviously!). We also think that we have probably taken the team as far as we can and an injection of new ideas will be of benefit. We are very pleased therefore that Mark Hutton and Mick O’Shaughnessy will be taking over the running of the side. Mick and Hutty will no doubt be in contact shortly with details about future games and tours.
We would also like to thank all of you for the help you’ve given over the past few years. We will of course still be playing, and will make every effort not to criticise the running of the team or the organisation of anything! However, if our behaviour on the terraces is anything to go by, we may well fail."

It almost feels like the end of era, but it's not. As one chapter closes, thus another begins.
Larry & Andy have been running the show since January 2004. It has been a remarkable three years, as they have made us stronger and better as a unit. This is Supporters' Football I am referring to, where results are almost 'secondary'. It is the growth of the whole team off of the pitch where they have excelled.
Wonderful tours abroad, including our last one in July to Estonia.
Staging our first ever International Tournament at Champion Hill for our " 'Pa' Wilson Cup."
Social Team nights out for meals for the squad.
Arranging for our unique kit, based on the 1920 First Team Amateur Cup & Isthmian League double winners.
Managing to arrange regular pitches in our Dulwich heartland.
I'm sure there are many more things which you can all add to that list.
It will be a hard act for Mick O'Shaughnessy & Mark Hutton to follow, but I am in no doubt the team are in capable hands.
I am sure they will build on what Larry & Andy have achieved in their three years at the helm, and the Supporters' Team can look forward to reaching our twentieth anniversary in just under two years time!
It is a thankless task trying to keep the team together, I know for I tried to hold things together for a few years in the dim & distant past.
It might be a bit presumptious of me, but on behalf of all the players-past & present- I'd like to offer them a big thank you for all the work they've done & what they've both achieved for the team.
Now they can go back to 'enjoying' just turning up ten minutes before kick off & getting on with the game!