Fitting tribute for a model Citizen

When you play football simply for the enjoyment it’s an oft used cliché that “the result doesn’t matter”; or to nick an Olympian phrase “It’s not the winning, but the taking part that matters”.

But in the early afternoon of Sunday 11th May that really was the case, despite it sounding like ‘empty words’ as “The Rabblers” went down by eight goals to two against an XI from the Old Westminster Citizens Football Club.

For the occasion was no 'ordinary' game. This was a benefit match for the family of their late player Stephen Benjamin, who collapsed and subsequently died while turning out for them on January 5th, earlier this year.

Despite the sadness of his death this was in no way a mournful affair, as it was more a celebration of his life, and a day that he would really have enjoyed, which I’m sure he did, looking down from the ‘great football ground in the sky’.

It was clear from the start that the Citizens were the more organised of the two sides, many being members of the actual side that Stephen played for. We were well beaten by the final whistle, but it didn’t matter. We rotated a large squad, with a number of players making their debuts, all making a financial contribution to the day, by paying our larger than usual ‘match fees’, with every penny raised going to his family.

This was helped by programme sales on the day, kindly written, compiled, printed & collated by Andy tucker; who was also instrumental in arranging to get the use of the Champion Hill Stadium facilities free of charge from the Football Club.

For which we offer a big than you both to him, and Ian Gannon, for all their sterling work in arranging the whole event. Also thank you to Dulwich Hamlet Football Club owner Nick McCormack & Football Committee Chairman Jack Payne for waiving the pitch hire charges, especially with the Club needing every penny it can raise to keep its head above water. A wonderful gesture from them.

The game itself? Well to be honest that was an irrelevance, the only thing you need to know was that everyone really enjoyed themselves. Ok, not quite the only thing. We were honoured to have in our line-up the First Team manager Craig Edwards. As if that wasn’t enough he brought along two actual genuine First Team players in Stanley Muguo & Daryl Plummer. This is the first time we have had the pleasure of actual Dulwich Hamlet First Team players appearing for us, & whilst it was funny to see them both on the bench for the Supporters’ Team at one stage, as in ‘how low can their Hamlet careers sink after that!, it was an amazing gesture from all three. And one that will be appreciated and talked about by us all for many years to come!

It was fitting that Stanley scored one of our goals, a long distance effort from at least thirty yards. With our other being rather spectacular too. James O’Shaughnessy hitting a volley from just inside the edge of the box, a strike that wouldn’t have looked out of place if it had been in an actual First Team match itself!

With such a turnover of players it’s hard to single anyone out, so rather than mention the regulars it’s time to give a name check to the rest of our newcomers, returnees, and guests. From the ‘Southwark News’ , who also bought an advertisement in the programme, were reporters Jon Surtees & Dave Yuill, making their debuts. It would be nice if they turn out for us next season, when reporting duties allow. As well as John Prendergast, who couldn’t make it today, they would be following on in the footsteps of a number of former ‘Snooze’ hacks who’ve worn our Pink n’ Blue, including Matt Sith, Paul Vinnell & Damon Green. Sadly we have yet to be able to persuade ‘The Shadow’ to dust down his old hobnail boots and make an appearance for us, but we can but dream…

Paul Verrico made his belated debut for us, at the ‘young age’ of 54; & will be turning out again. Welcome on board Paul! At the other end of the scale young Richard Strivens pulled on our stripes for the first time, a mere whippersnapper at fifteen! Which will bring down our average age somewhat! Though that could go shooting back up if he can ever persuade his uncle, ‘Linesman’ Ian. Not known by that moniker because he’s a qualified official, but because of his constant haranguing of the assistant referees at Hamlet First Team matches from his preferred spot along the side, at home games. We’re halfway there in getting him to play, possibly!, as we he did volunteer for ninety minutes against the Citizens, but only as he man in the middle with the whistle! And making his first appearance for a couple of years was Amin Haque between the sticks, turning the clock back, to remind us how far he always was down the pecking order in the goalkeeping stakes! And finally we can’t forget another ‘guest player for us. With ten minutes on the clock Andy Tucker who swapped sides with Citizen Jock Henderson. A nice touch, at first glance, but what really made it was the fact that Jock made his debut for them in 1953! No, that’s not a typing error, and he is a sprightly seventy two years of age! And somewhat ashamedly he was fitter than a number of those wearing our colours who he joined! He has, thus, become the oldest person to pull on a Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Team shirt, in our nineteen year history. Easily eclipsing our current ‘spring chicken’ 58 years young Mark Hutton, who must now estend his playing career for us by another fifteen years to reclaim that accolade!

After the game we retired to the boardroom for a few well earned drinks, as the bar was booked out for a function. Stephen’s family said a few humbling and moving words, which rounded off a fitting day in his memory. Hopefully this will help cement links between our two clubs, which can continue for years to come.

By all accounts Stephen Benjamin was an extremely special, well loved & much respected person. It’s easy to see how he fitted in so well with the Old Westminster Citizens, if the players & friends he left behind are anything to judge by.

‘The Rabblers’: Amin Haque; Craig Edwards; Stanley Muguo; Daryl Plummer; Andy Tucker; Ian Gannon; Jon Surtees; Dave Yuill; Dawn Taylor; Ferenc Morath; Steve Rickerby; Chris Tabrett; Richard Strivens; Darren Nicolas; Paul Verrico; Shaun Dooley.

Click here to see the excellent album of photos taken by Paul Griffin of the match.