BANKRUPT REPORTS WIDE OF MARK – HAMLET

DULWICH HAMLET have knocked back reports they must find £150,000 by a week Monday or face bankruptcy.

A national newspaper made the claim following a court hearing last Monday between Southwark Council and property developers Meadow Residential.

The Bostik Premier club are caught in the middle of a feud between the parties.

Meadow, who run and fund Hamlet, want to turn the Champion Hill site into houses and flats as well as build a new stadium on the site known as Green Dale. The council say the plans don’t meet affordable housing requirements.

But the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Trust and club say suggestions they have been slapped with a big bill that could finish them are wide of the mark.

A DHST statement, emphasises they are still to see the report, but said: “Green Dale, including the astroturf, was leased to Dulwich Hamlet Football Club Limited (“DHFC Limited” – the company that operates the football side of DHFC’s activities) – on a lease which has now expired.

“The London Borough of Southwark has declined to grant a new lease and DHFC Limited has commenced court proceedings to challenge that decision.

“The Green Dale lease proceedings are separate from, but obviously closely related to, the planning application for the redevelopment of Champion Hill stadium and the construction of the new stadium on Green Dale. The planning application is due to be determined at an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in December.

“DHST understands that at Monday’s hearing Southwark applied for, and was granted, an order for “security for costs” against DHFC Limited. This provides protection to a defendant against the risk the claim against them is unsuccessful, the claimant is ordered to pay the defendant’s costs, and the claimant is unable to do so.

“We understand the security DHFC Limited has been ordered to provide is £150,000, and the deadline for doing so is 14 days from Monday’s hearing.”

The club added: “We’d like to echo the statement from DHST regarding the piece in the press concerning ‘Bankruptcy of the club’.

“The £150k is not a bill, it’s to continue the appeal process over the lease. The club will survive past 14 days.”