Well they say summer is the silly season...

Once again the past year has flown & our annual cricket match with the Hayes Lane
Ultras, who are the Bromley supporters', arrived.

This is a 20 over match, with a pre-arranged agreement that when a payer reacehs a score of 25 runs he retires at the end of that over, to ensure as many players as possible have an opportunity to bat.

In good cricketing conditions (well as good as can be expected on an artificial wicket) Bromley were put into bat by our sef-appointed captain Phil 'Boycott' Baker.



In the opening exchanges Dulwich bowled very tidily & Bromley were finding it difficult to hit boundaries & set a challenging target. After the first half dozen overs the Ultras started to pick up the pace & found some of those much needed boundaries, so that at the halfway stage of their innings were 57 for 2, with one retirement.
As we delved deeper into our bowling(or lack of bowlers perhaps!) Bromley started to find their feet lusty blows for sixruns catipulted their score to 131-5 with three retirements after their alloted twenty overs.
Matt Hammond was our leading wicket taker, with a brace; Danny & Pete also claiming one apiece; with Pete also running out a Bromley batsman right at the death.
This, for 'The Rabblers'. was a daunting target, as we have never passed a ton of runs against Bromley.

Phil Baker & Shaun Dooley opened the batting for The Hamlet,


Ah, this is easy...

Erm...what next?

Keep going...


Their combination got the scoreboard ticking along, after a couple of boundaries Shaun was out for 10,replaced by Danny King.

Au revoir, Mr. Dooley!


He joined Phil at the crease



and carried on where Shaun had left off, but we then looked to be struggling when Phil & Danny were out for 7 and 13 respectively, to leave on 35-3. But a valiant effort...so off they went,



But hope was at hand, as two cricketing debutants for us, Will Patrick & Pete Mungeam took the game to Bromley with some fine stroke play, regularly finding boundaries, including some towering sixes! Both flew past the twenty five run mark within an over of each other & sadly had to depart proceedings with tallies of 28 & 32.



Keep on going...

All the way to the 'pavilion'!


By the end of the fourteenth over we had for the first time passed one hundred runs, no mean feat for us, at we reached 101-3, with two retirements. Needing 31 off of six overs to win the match, we started to slow & runs became hard to come by. Mick O'Shaughnessy was run out for two; better than his son James, who walked back after being bowled for a duck!





The Bromley bowling tightly restricted the Dulwich charge, Matt Hammond got on the scorecard, but was bowled for three; whilst Mark Hutton went the same way, but also for a 'duck'.


Be afraid,very afraid! (well maybe not!)


Martin Tibble was left with seven not out, in a total of 118 for 7, with two retirements.




Close, but not quite close enough. But nonetheless a gallant display from the Hamlet cricketers. A thoroughly entertaining game that swung both ways with us hitting our highest ever total, & also passing the one hundred mark for the first time.

Game over then, time to shake hands & get to the bar!



Yes we are probably a bit silly in playing a supporters' cricket game in the summer, but in the dim & distant past Dulwich Hamlet footballers traditionally packed their football boots away, & represented the Club with ball & bat in the summer months. We may not be of the same quality, but I am sure that 'Pa' Wilson looks down approvingly from above, as the Supporters' of the 21st century continue a Dulwich Hamlet cricketing tradition that has been part of our Club since formation in 1893, & only faded away in the nineteen sixties.

A big thank you to al lwho turned out, it's great fun, even if we invariably come off second best. Cheers to Colin Head & all his Bromley boys for the contest. Roll on next year!

Report mainly by Shaun Dooley, & photos from Mishi Morath.

Down memory lane...

I realise you're all looking in (I hope!) & waiting for reviews &write-ups from our magnificent trip to Glasgow last weekend, but please bear with me!

It's 'on the way', & I hope to put some work in on it all next week, & when it's done I'll let you all know via Mick, on the team email group, & the messagboard.

In the meantime my favourite French side Red Star have taken a turn for the better in their CFA (regional fourth division level) games, winning two in the last week, relieving some worries about relegation fears.

Thier website this weekend mentioned 'results on this day' yesterday, 13th March, & five years ago Red Star crushed Aubervilliers in a Divsion Honneur (fifth level) match. This was the match 'The Rabblers' attended, having beaten their supporters' by the odd goal in five in the morning, which was our first ever full eleven-a-side match abroad, & also our inaugrial mid-season foreign jaunt.

Here is a cracking link from their archives for anyone who wants to relive that superb day.

Allez Red Star!

Next stop Hampden Park!

Only a few days now until we hit Glasgow!

A few people have been asking who the tour party is, so, with thanks to the Gaffer for supplying the list, it's as follows:

Mick O'Shaughnessy & his right hand man Mark Hutton, leading the tour party.

With the rest being:

Phil Baker; Steve Bennett; Shaun Dooley; Phil Doyle; Ian Gannon; Paul Griffin; Nicolas Lucas; Jack McInroy; Larry Marsh; Malcolm Meredith; Mishi Morath; Darren Nicolas; David O'Shaughnessy; James O'Shaughnessy; John Prendergast; Steve Rickerby; Dawn Taylor; Jon Tennison; Stephane Tournay & Mathieu Istasse.
Non-playing supporters: Matthew Hammond ; Roger Deason; Richard Watts; Celine Frateur; Melanie Lucking & Danuta Wilmart.

Which all adds up to...one bloody big party!

See you all on Friday night!


Supporters: Richard Watts and Roger Deason.

A little guide to Glasgow

For those who are going up to Glasgow at the beginning of March the main course will be on the Saturday, with a feast of a footballing day being organised by their 'head honcho' Iain Campbell, who I had the pleasure of meeting back in June, at their six-a-side competition, when I was up ther with Nicolas Lucas' Paris Saint Germain Belgium Branch tour party.

Our own 'Gaffer' Mick O'Shaughnessy cemented relationships with him, when he was up ther late last year, continuing his groundhopping quest of the Scottish League, when Iian accompanied him to a game at Stenhousemuir.

Iain has the following plans for the day, well starting of the Friday night, as posted on his excellent Queens Park Supporters' Team website:

"We have a busy weekend planned for the Dulwich squad and it starts on Friday evening when "The Rabblers" are heading to The State Bar in Holland Street at 7pm to get their visit off to a flier.

On the Saturday AKC Harvey has kindly agreed to give the guys, and gals, a tour of Hampden before they head to the Social Club for a quiet refreshment.

Big Hampden is again the port of call as they head to watch Queen's play Berwick Rangers then it's the biggie, a Challenge Match on Lesser Hampden.

The game kicks off at 5.45pm and will be refereed by the ever popular Ian "Fitzy" Fitzpatrick.

For this special game we are doing something different to keep all our expected THIRTY odd players happy.

The game is being split into three parts and we will be putting out the following teams:-

First Part - 35 minutes

Under 30's

Second Part - 35 minutes

Over 30's plus some younger ones

Third Part - 20 minutes

Legends including some of our team from our very first game in 1987

All three teams will be announced on Tuesday 2nd March.


After the game we will retire to the Social Club for hospitality and then there will be a Games Night between the teams.

A big thanks to QPFC and Keith McAllister of the Supporters Association for their help with the Saturday.

This should be an excellent weekend and hopefully all the Dulwich squad will enjoy themselves."

Hopefully we will! With a day like that I get the feeling real friendships will be made, and the football becoming somewhat incidental!


I know a number of ideas have been floated about, & that the Saturday is really ‘sorted’ with the football events against Queens Park, but for those of you who haven’t been to Glasgow before may I suggest a few things that might interest you...

The one thing I can't promise is good weather! But we're fortunate in that Hampden Park is unlikely to be off, being such a fine venue, and Lesser Hampden, where we play, is an all-weather surface. So check the forecast in advance.

I can't pretend to be an 'expert' on Glasgow, as I've only ever been there twice, back in 1999 for a pre-season match between Celtic & Leeds United, with my brother & Phil Doyle. And last June, which is where I met Iain from Queens Park supporters', being part of the tour party with the PSG Belgium Supporters' Team, who played in their six-a-side tournament. This year it is on the last Saturday in May, which is the Bank Holiday weekend, & it would be brilliant if we could raise a side for it, either for the main competition or the veterans one. Or both! I'm sure, once you've all experienced the Glasgow hospitality you'll want to come back. I certainly did, which is why I put Mick in touch with Queens Park!

On the Friday, during the day, I know Mick has arranged for stadium tours to both Celtic & Rangers.
I went on both of these last year, and they are well worth the money, with Rangers being the more impressive. And I say that as someone who has always preferred the hoops! If you want a preview here are my photos from Parkhead & also Ibrox.

On Saturday, at noon, we are all meeting up prior to the main Queens Park first team game, at Hampden Park, to visit the Scottish Football Museum. I simply cannot reccomend this enough. It is excellent! Again here are my snaps from last year, if you want a preview.

Our own match, as mentioned, is next door to the main Hampden Park, on the historic Lesser Hamden ground. more of my snaps from last year are here if you want to see it.

I think Saturday will be taken up by football all day, plus the evening socialising. But, if up early enough, there is a chance to see the sights, or even take in another game!
There are a couple of local amateur leagues that play Saturday mornings.
They are the Glasgow Saturday Morning League.
And the Strathclyde Saturday Morning League.
I have no idea of the standard, but I would guess around Kent County or Middlesex County League levels.

For other sporting venues may I also suggest for greyhound racing on Friday night, which is the old home of Clyde FC. This would be a good early evening option if you don't fancy getting too mashed at the team piss up, which is at The State Bar, from 7.00pm.

And two unusual venues to look at are the West of Scotland Cricket Club, venue for the first ever Scotland v. England international , which I also visited last year.

Also Caithkin Park, not far from the current Hampden Park, it was actually Hampden Park the second, & former home of Third Lanark FC , who disappeared in 1967. My snaps from last year are here, but if you are already planning to go I would suggest you DON'T look at them, so the surprise when you see the crumbling remains for the first time isn't spoilt!

If you don't fancy the Friday stadium tours, or have time to look around on the Sunday, before going home, I will suggest a few places.

But before I do this site will tell you all you need to know about tourism in Glasgow.
And use this one for transport details, which should include detals for one day travelcards, & the like; which will include their dinky little underground system, affectionatle known by the locals as the 'clockwork orange'. There's even a pub crawl of the same name!

Anyway, back to the touristy things, in no particular order here are some places you should consider...

Museum wise there are some excellent ones.

For a real history of Glasgow then the People's Palace museum is a must. I would guess this is their equivalent to our Museum of London. Their version sits in the pleasant & historic Glasgow Green Park.

If you like churches then Glasgow Cathedral is one to see. Next to this is the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art.

And by those are the Glasgow Necropolis, probably one of the finest burial grounds in the whole of Britain, simply for it's magnificent hilltop location. But more importantly, as you walk up the slight hill to the Cathedral from the centre, a small railway station on the right, continue ahead, & on the left is a parade of shops. One of them is a chip shop that does the 'holy grail' of junk food...the deep fried mars bar! I found it last year, & they are delicious! I thoroughly recommend you try them & combine it with a walk to the Necropolis, to enjoy the panorama over the city.

Another religious building worth seeing is the St Vincent Street Free Church of Scotland, which has been described as 'one of Scotland's finest temples to God'

Shopping wise there are the main streets in the centre of town, but if you like rummaging then there is The Barras market, on both Saturday & Sunday, which is reputed to be one of the biggest markets in Europe!

In the centre George Square is worth a look, statues & monuments there, as well as the Glasgow Tourist Office. Adjacent is the Queen Street Railway Station, the oldest station in Glasgow, which is not actually the one from where you will get the train toward Hampden Park on the Saturday. That is Central Station.

Not far from here is the Gallery of Modern Art, not to everyone's taste, but if you like this sort of stuff it's well worth a visit.

If you like libraries, as I do working in one, the Mitchell Library is one to dip into, and it actually has the largest reference library in Europe.

For Ian there is the Glasgow Police Museum

If you like 'oldie worldy' slum type dwellings then you could do a lot worse than go to the Tenement House

I'm not 100% sure, but the biggest museum in the city is probably the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. It really has a bit of everything, and you will need a at least a couple of hours just to whizz round all of it! Across the road from here is Kelvin Hall, a famous sport venue, with the latter part of it round the back housing the Scottish Transport Museum

I haven't looked around the university area of the city, but here there is another attraction, the Hunterian Museum; & the Hunterian Gallery, which includes the Mackintosh House.

There's also a small regimental museum, which may catch Hutty's eye.

There are plenty of pubs in Glasgow, as you have probably guessed from the city that brought you Rab C. Nesbitt! I'm not going to list them, except to mention 'The Horseshoe' as it's reputed to have the longest bar in Britain! You don't need to guess what shape it is from the name! It does get croweded in here, but it is worth stopping ofr one or two if you haven't been there before. The only other 'advice' I have is take care if you're out & about on the Friday & Saturday night. While the majority of Jocks are ok, especially the Queens Park lot who really are diamond geezers, there will always be a few who will want to have a pop at you in front of their mates just because you're English, so be aware if around the Sauchiehall Street area. For decent pubs check out the local CAMRA branch.

There is plenty more to see & do in Glasgow,but I think I've listed more than enough to give you a 'flavour' for the weekend. Hopefully enough of a flavour so that we can return in May for the six-a-side tournament!

The last thing to remember is that they speak funny up there, so this may help!

What you decide to do it's going to be a great weekend!

Bad luck....

Goes to Matt Hammond, our goalkeeper, who has recently had an operation on his hand, after injuring in a seven a side game for Lambeth All-Stars.

This means he won't be able to play in the forthcoming Glasgow tour, against Queens Park, but will still be making the trip, nonetheless!

Don't Go Breaking My Heart!

Saturday 28th November 2009
"The Rabblers" 2
Watford supporters 15
IFA League match
at Belair Park

Report by Mishi D. Morath.

It was a brave bunch of 'Rabblers' that turned up for what was going to be nothing other than a heavy defeat against Watford, who are one of the strongest, and certainly one of the friendliest teams in internet football. We didn't want our hearts broken, as Watford fan sang with Kiki Dee, but break them they did with our heaviest defeat for over a decade.

There were no selection problems for our management, it a simple case of if you have your boots you're in, as we had a bare minimum sqaud of a dozen!

The squad, for the record, was Matt Hammond; Mick O'Shaughnessy; Steve Rickerby; Shaun Dooley; John Prendergast; Mark Hutton; Mishi Morath; Phil Doyle; Darren Nicholas; Trevor Owen; Matthew Virgo & Chris Garrett.

It really was a case of 'damage limitation', & against all odds, 'The Rabblers' fought an amazing rearguard action for the first fifteen minutes or so, and although I have misplaced my brief notes from the game, I do recall trying to make a note of the first few goals, to use as my lottery numbers that night, but gave up after the seventh went in! I think we were a 'mere' eight behind at half time!

But we weren't torn apart by a single player, two Watford lads got hat-tricks, with a total of no less than NINE of their squad getting on the scoresheet, the most delighted being a defender, Phil McBride, who scored his first goal for them, in nearly a hundred appearances, so he certainly won't forget Dulwich Hamlet!

Also on the scoresheet for them was an own goal from Steve Rickerby, not that it was his fault really, when you're under that much pressure at the back someone is bound to deflect it into their own net. It's just unfortunate for 'Big Vern' that he seems to do it more often than others! ;-)

Our chances were few and far between, the closest before we scored, was an effort from Matthew Virgo, that hit the bar. We were thirteen behind, I think, before we pulled anything back. Our two goals coming from Chris Garrett, the latter being sheer quality, hit from the edge of the area into the back of the net!

Although this defeat equalled our previous record defeat, against a Dulwich Hamlet Junior FC Managers, Staff & Parents XI on one of the all-weather pitches at the Crystal Palace National Sportscentre, back in the mid-nineties, this game had a better outcome for the keeper in both, Matt Hammond. For after that previous thrashing I accidentally stabbed him in the hand with the half-time oranges knife, which resulted in him missing his Sunday Team match two days later, as in was in Kings College Hospital awaitiaing an operation to repair the damage! After the last goal went in I wonder if he was thinking back to that unfortunate Friday night? ;-)

It's hard to single out any particular incident, or the effort of one player over another, everyone gave their all & what more can you ask? But I can't finish without mentioning a superb goal line clearance as the 'Gaffer' Mick O'Shaughnessy turned back the years & headed over a certain goal, that he flicked over the crossbar. True Matt Hammond pulled off a number of fine saves, but I'd like to think that this was the one incident in the game that prevented a new record loss!

Fair play to Watford, despite being in almost total control, they never 'showboated' or 'gave it large', well apart from the aforementioned defender after his 'virgin' goal, but you can't begrudge him that! Never flash, never patronising, they simply appreciated the fact we never gave up, despite being second best.

After the final whistle the general opinion of our team members who had played in the ten nil debacle against Ladywell three weeks before, was that if we had played like this against them htere is no way we would have lost.

So comfort can be taken out of this huge loss, spurred on by the incentive from the Gaffer, who said that hec wouldn't forget those who took part this morning, & that everyone who did would get preferential treatment up in Glasgow, on the spring Queens Park tour!

No luck against the Ladyboys!

Saturday 7th November 2009
"The Rabblers" 0,
Ladywell FC 10
Friendly match
at Belair Park

Report kindly supplied by Guy Grater.

'The Rabblers' played their old foes the Lady boys in a friendly match at Belair Park on Saturday The Home squad contained two guest players from Finland (Sampsa Hirvonen and Petri Pirhaven) both of whom played against 'The Rabblers' in the summer tour for HJK Helsinki Supporters' team.
The match kicked off in glorious sunshine with both teams evenly matched for the first ten minutes, until some good interplay by the 'Ladyboys' down the left hand side of the pitch produced a snap shot that was well saved by Matt Hammond. Unfortunately the rebound fell to Luca from the 'Ladyboys' who tucked his shot away with ease.
The second goal quickly followed again from the same left hand side of the pitch, This time with their centre back moving up the field to finish off a fine move with a thumping shot that gave our Matt no chance.
'The Rabblers' were under pressure at this point, but a came back with a mazy run from young Louis Grater beating three defenders before passing to his fellow striker James O'Shaughnessy. for him to shoot agonisingly just past the right hand post.
This proved just a fleeting respite as the 'Ladyboys' laid siege to 'The Rabblers' goal forcing a number of corners. One of which ended with a goal after a goalmouth scramble. Just before halftime the 'Ladyboys' grabbed two quick goals. Again 'The Rabblers' left hand flank was under pressure with the fourth goal coming from a cracking shot by their forward .Then just two minutes later another raid down the same wing resulted in another shot that flew past Matt Hammond, so the score at half time was 'The Rabblers' 0, 'Ladyboys' 5.

The second half started the same way that the first finished with the 'Ladyboys' putting the Dulwich men under pressure from the off. This time though Mattie pulled off some great saves to deny the opposition. Also Larry Marsh and Steve Rickerby at the heart of the defence were putting in some superb last ditch tackles to halt the 'Ladyboy' raiders. But once more the pressure was mounting , with number six coming from a corner on the left and ending with a close range header which Matt saved but could not stop the ball going over the line for an own goal.
The home side were having trouble all match down their left wing and it came as no surprise that the next two goals came from that area. The first from a shot, which was quickly followed by another strike to increase the lead by eight goals to nil. The ninth came with 15 minutes remaining again down the left with some good inter play, ending with a right foot cross and a great volley, to be fair .'The Rabblers' upped the anti then, refusing to give up, with a good couple of breaks ending with two corners, the first James O'Shaughnessy just missing with a header .The second ended with Dulwich going close with a volley from Louis Grater. But the 'Ladyboys next goal, to reach double figures,came in the last few minutes with a goal mouth scramble before they poked the ball home. Both teams played with maximum effort but the 'Ladyboys' just had too much for 'The Rabblers'.

The Gaffer, Mick O'Shaughnessy, talking exclusively to therabblers.blogspot.com , told us:

"I thought the lads we had playing on Saturday did as well as they possibly could. I think the ladyboys were a very strong team. Certainly the strongest team I've ever seen them play. And they scored some seriously cracking goals. But as always when we play the ladyboys, the game was played in a great spirit. And our lads never gave up. Always trying to score at least one goal.

It was great to see Sampsa and Petri from HJK Supporters again. And playing in the pink'n'blue. Maybe the scoreline will lead them into a false sense of security for when they come over to play us next April. And our American recruit, Brian Joyce, making his debut for us as well, giving a good account of himself.

Hopefully, the people who played on Saturday won't be too disheartened and turn up again this week. If nothing else, Saturdays run out should have blown away some cobwebs for a few of us. And next week against Welling, gives us an opportunity to maybe right a few wrongs quickly."

The two teams were....

This was the Ladywell 'Ladyboys' squad, followed by ours. Both pictures were kindly taken & supplied by Vikki Grater.

Our guest players from Helsinki!

We were honured this morning to have two overseas players 'guest' for us this morning, with HJK Helsinki fans Samspa Hirvonen & Petri Pirhaven, (hope we got the names right!) friends we have made on our summer tours, being on holiday in London, with both taking in the afternoon game at Champion Hill as well!

A few action shots from the match...

Many thanks to Vikki Grater for supplying all the pictures used in this Ladywell section, and also thank you to Tracy Anstey, for uploading them onto this site from Vikki's email, as I had no idea how to do that!

& some more....

Snaps by Vikki, from the game.

Our Union with Union Royale Namur grows

On the 31st October our friends from Namur, including Nicolas & Stephane, as well as Dave, who played in Helsinki in the summer for us, were in England to play the Oxford United supporters' team. Both Mishi Morath & Lawrence Marsh had the honour of 'guesting' for Namur, on 'loan' from "The Rabblers". Although the game was lost 5-1, it was a great day out, following by an afternoon cheering on Oxford to a one nil victory over Altrincham.

Oxford United were prefect hosts, and a pleasure to meet.

Here is Mishi & Lawrence, alongside Nicolas.

More thoughts from Helsinki 2009...

Even though it's a few months ago now SHAUN DOOLEY has kindly shared his brief memories of the summer trip to Helsinki:

"This report is embarassingly late, I still jotted them down as I felt I needed to say a few words as the work you put into this site isn't always backed up by the rest of us!

As good as our short visit was on our previous tour our hosts truly excelled in making this trip comfortable, enjoyable and memorable. Special mention to Veli and Sisko but taking away nothing from all the other guys who all played their part. Not being one overly interested in sightseeing I must say what I saw around Helsinki was fantastic! (Must be mellowing in my old age...) The architecture was amazing, the market thriving, with the market square being a lovely view from the church steps.

The visits to watch HJK were enjoyable even though the results were not. The Supporters' game was played in very hot conditions but was a great game in which we gave our all and each and everyone of us should hold our heads high and be proud of what we achieved on the pitch against a younger and fitter team. I really look forward to future tours with our good friends from Finland, & hope they come to play us over here in England in the not too distant future."

Our top man in Helsinki

Following the traditional team vote ( hope everyone got asked this year!) after out tour game in Helsinki in the summer, John Prendergast was voted our player of the tour.

Yesterday, after the final whistle of the Worthing game, Mark Hutton presented him with a Dulwich Hamlet TOFFS 1937 Ernie Toser Amateur Cup shirt as his reward.

Rabblers crushed by Rebels!

Saturday 19th September 2009
"The Rabblers" 1,
Worthing supporters' 5
Friendly match
At Belair Park

Report by Mishi D. Morath

It's great to play the likes of Worthing supporters'. A genuinely decent bunch of lads, who play for fun, and are-give or take- as rubbish, make that ineptly keen, as us! so I'm gutted to be out 'injured'. And what makes it worse is that I haven't a clue how. I've got pains in my shoulders, like pulled muscles or something, & whilst I'm not in agony, it's fairly constant enough to be annoying & restrict some movement. I'd put it down to 'old age', but I'm 'only' forty two. Oh dear, that'll be old age then.

I still turn up to watch, & some of our lads look a little concerned when they see how young some of the Rebels fans look, but that's not unusual, as anyone under thirty looks young to most of our boys.

Nick Courtnage, the person who runs the Worthing fans' team, AKA 'The Caveman', has asked in advance if the Worthing first team manager Simon Colbran can play for them. Our gaffer Mick O'Shaughnessy has no problem with that. He might be a former semi-pro footballer, but who are we to stop them having the chance to play alongside him? He did look a class above though, and got on the scoresheet from a free-kick. Shaun Dooley was more than happy to 'catch him' early on. Not deliberate as such, he explained it, with a smile, that 'I just wanted to let him know I was there!'

As it happens, when the match gets underway, we have a severe problem of 'first team-itus' and fail to take our chances, which will come back to haunt us. We are two down at half-time, but the game has been more even than the scoreline suggests. The second half is another story. As we start to weary & Worthing gain the upper hand. Though we did deservedly pull one back, with James O'Shaughnessy getting on the scoresheet with a quarter of an hour to go. Well taken, but scant consolation for the previous hat-trick of chances he'd missed. Towards the end we were going to 'sneak' on Vikki Grater, & she makes a bit of history being the first ever 'mother & son' combination to play for us, being on the pitch at the same time as her 14 year old son Louis Grater, who joined the fray earlier in the half.

Making his debut for us was Ennio Gonnella as one of a number of second half changes, who is the new club sponsor. Not the biggest of corporate tie-ups, I've heard it's three hundred quid a month, but it all helps. You may recall the Club were concerned he may have been offended by some supporters' choice language at Horsham YMCA. Clearly he wasn't, by asking to play this morning! After the match he asked for a few words, and explained how he was getting involved in the Club, & had heard on the grapevine how some fans weren't too happy with the way the bard had been run. He said he was laying on some decent food before games, reducing the prices of pints prior to kick off, and making sure the pipes were being cleaned regularly. He apologised for the way things may have been & hope we would use the bar more. Fair play to him.

And fair play to both teams. A really enjoyable moment, without a nasty moment in it. Despite the defeat everyone enjoyed it, this is what supporters' football is all about. Having fun and a bit of a laugh with the opposition supporters. Marvellous!

Time to head back to Champion Hill & the comfort of the 'new,improved bar' for the game between the 'big boys'.

Roll on the return down their way on the coast in January!

The team against Worthing

Back row (left to right): James O'Shaughnessy; Mark Hutton (co-manager); Steve Rickerby; Lawrence Marsh; Nicolas Lucas; Matt Hammond; Ian Gannon; Jim Marshall; Mick O'Shaughnessy( manager).
Front row (l.-r.): Louis Grater; Vikki Grater; Phil Doyle; Shaun Dooley; John Prendergast; Ennio Gonnella; Andy Murphy; Phil Baker (kitman).




And here is the Worthing team, our good friends from the South Coast:

Come on...get in line!

This set of photos, along with many others further down, were kindly taken by Melanie Lucking. I thank her for doing so, & suppliying the disc they were on.


This set is from the chaos that always happens before & after a team photo.


It could just be me, but I do like to see silly sets like these...