Dulwich are given lifeline

DULWICH HAMLET could have been handed a lifeline after being evicted, locked out of their ground, had the name of the club trademarked and been warned not to use it.

Bostik League Hamlet were served an eviction order on Monday night by property developers Meadow Residential LLP, who own the ground.

Meadow claim the club have “repeatedly breached” their licence, not paying any rent over the past three years.

But yesterday the company softened their stance and, in a statement, offered to hand back the club name and trademarks, open negotiations with Southwark Council and potentially allow the club to stay at Champion Hill.

Hamlet chairman Liam Hickey, below, was confident a deal could be clinched. “There are several groups interested in buying the site and all of them are sympathetic to the football club,” he said. “We are optimistic that things can be sorted out quickly.”

One of the groups interested is a company part-owned by Rio Ferdinand – a close friend of Hamlet boss Gavin Rose – who had a £10million bid rejected in December. PATRICK KLUIVERT has emerged a shock contender for the Oxford manager’s job after being placed on the League One club’s shortlist. Oxford’s new owner Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth said: “If the right person comes in we can still make the play-offs.”

Former Barcelona striker Kluivert, 44, right, assisted Louis van Gaal when he was Holland coach.