FRESH BLOW FOR HAMLET

Licensing issues hit new low

DULWICH HAMLET say they signed a new licensing agreement with landlords Meadow Residential under duress after they faced being locked out of their Champion Hill ground.

Yesterday’s 2-1 Bostik Premier win over Brightlingsea Regent was in severe doubt until as late as Friday afternoon after stadium owners Meadow told club officials the gates would be locked unless a new agreement was signed following its expiration.

But Dulwich chiefs felt they were being backed into a corner because the new licence they’ve been presented with is different to the previous one.

The London club have been caught up in a longrunning dispute between Meadow and Southwark Council over a proposed development on the site which is casting doubt on their future.

Meadow’s plans to build flats on the site have been blocked by the council, who want more social housing included, leading to bad blood between the two parties with peace talks breaking down.

Dulwich are effectively being held hostage in the argument and last month Meadow stopped the funding streams they have been putting into the club

Despite that the wage bill was paid in full by the club itself, and without donations from supporters.

Isthmian League officials attempted to help the parties come to a compromise ahead of the imposed 5pm deadline, but Dulwich eventually signed the agreement put in front of them.

Game on

Dulwich chairman Liam Hickey told The NLP: “We were advised this licence was the same as the one it appeared had expired.

“It’s not an exact replica of it, but in the best interests of the football club, the Isthmian League and everybody concerned with playing this fixture, we have decided to sign it.

“We will deal with every- thing outside of that subsequent to playing a football match, which is what we really want to do.

“There will be further discussions about what it means and what the implications are, but really we were left with no other way to go.

“We’ll try to find a resolution and build a relationship with Meadow if they intend to be a long-term landlord.”

Dulwich have enjoyed a boom in fan support in recent seasons with gates regularly over 2,000, and they have been hailed for their work in the local community.

Fellow Non-League clubs pledged their support for their situation this week and Hickey says the response has been hugely appreciated.

“It’s been absolutely brilliant, we would like to thank all of our friends in NonLeague football,” Hickey said.

“I can’t highlight them enough, from Paul Dipre at Carshalton to Simon (Lawrence) at Hendon, who were first to step in, and Des Flanders at Met Police, who has called to offer any help. And all those people who have pledged their online support, it’s absolutely amazing.”