New signings announced as several players move on

Having kept his cards close to his chest during the close season, previously only announcing the departure of Ian Daly who has surfaced at Cray Wanderers, Hamlet boss Gavin Rose has spoken about players leaving Champon Hill, and some of the replacements he is bringing in, following our challenge for promotion last season, where we just missed out on a play-off spot.

Both Billy Crook and Tommy Kavanagh have been offered deals elsewhere we cannot match.

Gavin said of their departures: "We would like to thank both players for their efforts for the club last season. In particular Billy Crook who had a strong season with us and returns to the Met Police."

Rose also revealed that Hamlet stalwart Peter Adeneyi won't be kitting up next season, but will still be at Champion Hill:
"Our long serving captain Peter will not be playing next season or for the foreseeable future as he concentrates on our development of the Dulwich Hamlet Football In The Community Programme, along with assisting the A.S.P.I.R.E programme. Peter has been a great servant for our Football Club on and off the pitch and a huge part of our development as a football team. "

Also no longer in the Pink & Blue will be Jerome Walker. Gavin wished him well as he told us:
"We have also let Jerome go. He has been a pleasure to work with and proved himself a valuable asset to the squad last year; he will no doubt be a threat for an opposing side. With the emergence of some of the young players coming through the academy, we felt it right Jerome goes and plays regular football whilst we can try and bring through some more young talent. "

It's also sadly au revoir to our French player,Matthieu Boyer as Rose went on:
"Matthieu Boyer decided midway through last season he would not be continuing playing football in order to pursue his primary career in Football Youth development in England ; this having been his previous role with Lyon before coming to England. We wish him every success in whatever he does in the future."

The Hamlet exit door has been busy this summer with Ellis Green being released, but Gavin hopes not forgotten:
"Ellis will always be remembered for his contribution in helping the club progress in recent years. "

On top of these players no longer gracing the Champion Hill turf, Rose revealed that Ahmed Deen has also been let go.
"Ahmed has always been a consistent performer for us and a great leader in the changing room. He sacrificed himself financially to come and help us and I feel he can go and earn himself what he rightfully deserves. Recently, he has also has been part of the development of our Dulwich Hamlet Football in the Community Programme."

And finally Gavin Rose said that Tommy Whitnall has joined Tonbridge Angels.

But Gavin has not been resting on his laurels, as he aims to bolster the First Team squad both from within and through recruiting externally:
"With a few of the academy boys coming into the squad this season in Kareem Boyle, Fabian Reid and Emiliano Hysi we continue to keep our tradition of giving youth an opportunity to develop. "

He continued: "The team will be in transition but hopefully we can settle in nicely over pre season with the new players joining the club, and if we produce the type of levels and beyond of last season we will be very happy."

Gavin then revealed the names of some players who are Champion Hill bound for the new season, and who Hamlet fans will be able to glimpse for the first time when our pre-season programme commences in three weeks time, on Saturday 12th July at home to Conference South highflyers, and old Isthmian League rivals, Bromley.

Stepping up a level, from Ryman One South, Ashley Robinson arrives from Merstham.

While, from the higher level of Conference South Whitehawk, we welcome Dean MacDonald. He will have a 'swift return' to his former club, as we travel to the south coast to take on the Brighton based outfit on Saturday 2nd August.

Also signed up to wear the Pink & Blue are a trio from Conference South play-off winners Dover Athletic, in Terrell Forbes; Michael Kamara & Ashley Carew.

But the hunt for players to bolster our squad is not complete. Gavin concluded:
" We are still looking for two players and have invited some very good players to our pre-season for a closer look.
Friendlies have proved somewhat difficult to arrange this summer due to us waiting on a few professional clubs coming down. We do however have a packed programme of games which will give the boys every opportunity to get themselves fit and ready for the season."Gavin Rose realises it will be a tough season, with teams like Margate 'stepping up to the plate', but is relishing the challenge:
"I'm sure the coming season will provide plenty of drama as always and with Margate's emergence it seems to have forced a few others to recruit good quality players also. I'm sure the league will be even harder than last season as a result and we look forward to competing and pitting our whits against all the teams in the league. As we proved last year you cannot underestimate the strength of the newcomers who have just been promoted also. "

Hamlet fans, old and new, can see every kick of every game, pre-season & League matches, by purchasing a season ticket, where you will make some great savings compared to paying on the gate, and it saves fiddling through your pockets, wallet or purse for the right change too! For details on how to join the growing list of Hamlet season ticket holders just click on the link below.