Today we welcome Bath City to Champion Hill. Bath come here with back to back league wins and will again provide a challenge as we bid for our first league win since we beat Eastbourne Borough away on 24 August.

You may be aware that Bath City’s majority shareholder (with about 54% of the shares in the club) is the Bath City Supporters Society (BCSS). Like DHST, BCSS is a “community benefit society”, with the aim of ensuring that Bath is a community-owned club, based on either full or partial supporter/community ownership. In 2017 BCSS raised £350,000 from the community to enable it to increase its stake in the club.

DHST’s objectives include a similar aim: we want to achieve the greatest possible supporter and community influence in the running and ownership of the club. We believe that this is the best way of protecting the club for its fans and the community – now and for future generations.

To that end, since September 2018, we have made direct financial investments into the club, of approximately £66,000. Much of this was raised via our 100 Club lottery, so please consider joining.

As well as providing the club with capital support at a time of critical need, this investment has allowed the Trust to acquire (for the first time) a meaningful shareholding in the club (approximately 19%). We hold these shares on behalf of our members and the wider community and we aim to build the community-held stake over time. The club has agreed that up to two of its directors will be nominated by the Trust, and first of those positions has been taken up by Duncan Chapman.

We have forged valuable links with BCSS over the years, and we hope that this will continue. BCSS have sometimes provided the independent person required to sit on DHST’s election subcommittee, and at last year’s away fixture members of the Trust Board meet up with them to discuss their experiences of community ownership.

Merchandise update

We have taken delivery of new merchandise including a new t-shirt and sweatshirt design. And yes – a special FA Cup scarf is on its way! We also have a wide range of merchandise available from the mega-container on match days. If we’re out of stock in your size, do check our online shop at dhfcshop.co.uk.

Book launch tomorrow

Carrie Dunn launches her new book, ‘The Pride of the Lionesses’, with a Q&A in the bar tomorrow. Doors open at 12.00pm for a 12.30pm start, followed by DHFC Women against Eastbourne Town at 2.00pm. The book documents England’s run to the 2019 World Cup – come along to hear from Carrie and pick up a signed copy.

DHFC comedy nights

Don’t forget the Clubhouse will be hosting the monthly comedy night event tomorrow evening, with tickets just £8 in advance (£9 on the door) or £5 for concessions.

FA Cup competition

On Friday 8 November, the Men’s team will be playing Carlisle Utd at Champion Hill, not that anyone needed reminding. If you have been unlucky in purchasing a ticket for the match, the game will be televised on BBC2 and KO is at 19:55. The Clubhouse will be hosting a FA Cup making competition this Tuesday evening. There is a £2 per person entry fee with the winner receiving a £30 bar tab.

Finally, thanks must go to the bar staff and all those who have volunteered to help with selling tickets for this tie at the club bar this week.

Enjoy the game.

Alex de Jongh and Mark (Scolly) Scoltock

Joint Chairs