There has been speculation in recent days on social media and elsewhere about the future of Dulwich Hamlet’s ground at Champion Hill and fan ownership. This has been largely fuelled by the South Camberwell council by-election, where campaigning is in full swing.

We welcome political parties who have a genuine interest in our club, are willing to be transparent about their views, can keep an open mind as the details of the development are finalised, and demonstrate a real wish to work further with the club and it’s legions of enthusiastic supporters in their community and beyond.

However, we are disappointed in comments that have professed to represent the views of large sections of our supporters, or have inferred the official position of DHST. To be clear, DHST has not yet had any formal contact with any of the prospective Councillors, but we would be happy to meet with any of them should they wish to discuss the future of the club.

As Hamlet supporters will be aware, DHST has been clear about our plans to poll our members to establish whether we as an organisation wish to back the plans put forward by the Hadley Property Group. Now with around 350 members, the Trust poll will provide the clearest indication as to whether our supporter base is in agreement with the proposals. Once Hadley Property Group have finalised the information required to poll our members, we will press ahead with its launch. We hope that all interested parties will consider these results as a reliable representation of the views the club’s supporters, of whom our members make up a significant cross section. In the interim, we would however hope that any information claiming to represent the views of our supporters, is used responsibly and is well evidenced.

DHST would like to put on record the following:

– DHST has not been contacted for a formal comment or meeting by any political party in recent months on the subject of the ground redevelopment.

– DHST of course remains open to speaking to any interested groups.

– Current and former DHST Board members have had informal discussions with Councillors and other political representatives at various community meetings, but no formal position has been sought.

– We reject any suggestion that infers that DHST is against or supportive of the proposed redevelopment of Champion Hill at the current time. We have been clear that this can only be established through a poll of our membership.

– This is a complicated issue and we are continuing to have positive discussions with Hadley Property Group on the future of Champion Hill and the Football Club.

– A poll will be held once Hadley Property Group have finalised the latest information for their proposal.