Dulwich Hamlet fans have called on the council to give the community club full freehold of their future ground to secure its future.
After the Hadley Property Group (HPG) stepped in to buy the club’s ground last year, rescuing Dulwich Hamlet from administration, the holy grail of fan ownership is now in sight.
HPG announced last week that, should proposals for a new stadium be fully delivered, they would transfer the club to the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Trust (DHST). The ball is now in the council’s court as they have leased Greendale Fields to the club for 21-years in an agreement that comes to an end any day now. With no decision yet made on a new stadium, DHST is asking for at least a long term lease, but ideally full freedhold, for any chosen site to secure the club’s future.
“We are careful to separate fan ownership from the ground redevelopment,” said DHST Chair, James Masini. “Hadley’s proposal to move to a new stadium with an increased capacity on Greendale is something we will ballot our members on when we have full details.
“But we must ensure the club is given the security of tenure to keep Dulwich Hamlet FC in the area for generations to come. Without this long-term security, we fear the club maybe back in this situation in another 20 years. As fans, we cannot allow that to happen.”
Cllr Barrie Hargrove, Southwark’s cabinet member for parks and leisure, said he is continuing to work with HPG and Dulwich Hamlet on securing the future of the football club.