Welcome to today’s pre-season friendly against a Tottenham Hotspur XI side, in which is our third out of four home pre-season fixtures.

There have been a number of significant changes at the club during the summer period; more obvious is the work to add to the already existing terracing on three sides of the ground. Whilst plans have recently been submitted for our proposed new stadium, it has been recognised the importance that these works are needed to be done to ensure everyone gets a great match day experience at Champion Hill and continues to come back to back the team this season.

The most exciting pieces of news this summer was the announcement that from this season the club will also be fielding a Women’s team with their home fixtures taking place on Sunday afternoons. The Team play their first pre-season friendly fixture tomorrow at Champion Hill tomorrow at 2pm against Leyton Orient.

Earlier this month, the Trust held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the club bar, which included the announcement of the results of the recent elections to the Trust Board.

The Chair’s report highlighted that 12 months ago, Football Club’s position was desperate and having to play our ‘home’ fixtures at Tooting was causing immense financial pressure and uncertainty with regards of the future of Dulwich Hamlet.

The report continued to address the members present by adding that since then, while uncertainty continues in some respects, the situation has improved considerably. For those not aware, the Supporters’ Trust has contributed to this improvement, in part by investments in the Club in return for shares. £18,000 was in 2018, and more recently, the club received a further £40,000 investment from us.

It was also highlighted, at the meeting, that one of the Trust’s Objectives for the past year was to increase shareholding and representation in the football club, with a long-term vision of ownership of the Club. In the past 12 months the Board have being working very hard to increase the Trust’s shareholding, of the club, to approximately 20%. In addition, we have now secured two seats on the Football Club Board. At this time, Duncan Chapman has taken up one seat and we hope to announce our nominee for the second seat after the first meeting of the new Board.

I would like to personally thank the two retiring Board members, Alex Atack and Dominic Smith. It was a great pleasure to work with you both, your hard work in the past few years certainly helped make a difference.

With both of them stepping down and Alex De Jong and I having to stand for re-election, this opened up four positions on the Board. With five strong candidates being nominated, an election was held. Congratulations goes to Alex, Liam Ball (who had previously been co-opted as Treasurer) and Arec Koundarjian who, alongside myself, was elected to the 2019-2020 Board.

The Trust will be looking to run a number of supporter coaches again this season. We are currently finalising those games we are looking to offer travel to, along with costs. The first coach is planned to be Eastbourne Borough away on Saturday 24 August priced £16 adults and £11 concessions, bookings can be made today at the mega-container club shop.

Finally, we have also been busy over the summer placing merchandise orders for both the mega-container and the online shop, this seasons’ shirts will be available to buy in early August and prices will remain the same as last season (Adults £35, Junior £30/£20).

Enjoy the game

Mark (Scolly) Scoltock