(Photo: Reuters)
By Jonny Leighfield
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is deeply concerned over the uncertain future of Isthmian Premier league leaders, Dulwich Hamlet.
Meadow Residential, who own Dulwich’s ground, lost a legal battle with Southwark Council over redevelopment and as a result have withdrawn their funding of the club, leaving fans to help out with the wage bill for the foreseeable future.
Even though the club’s wage bill is half that of the gate receipts, they are in an unsustainable position and will eventually be forced to close.
The Mayor is backing the club and has urged the company to find a solution quickly so that Dulwich can continue their meaningful presence in the area.
Mayor Khan told The Independent: “It’s deeply concerning to me that Dulwich Hamlet’s future remains uncertain at a time when it is doing so much good in the community.
“I urge the current owners to do the right thing and revisit their application to protect Dulwich Hamlet and deliver more affordable homes, or find an alternative that ensures the future of a football club that means so much to its supporters and local community,” said Khan.
Khan continued to sing the club’s praises and emphasised how important they are to the area of South London: “Dulwich Hamlet epitomises everything that’s great about non-league football.
“It brings together communities of all backgrounds, strengthens social ties and networks, and is part of the very fabric of this area of south London,” he said.
