93-year-old Ivor Bateman, pictured above last season with his fellow Hamlet supporting son Malcolm, died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Friday morning.

A local man, he moved out to Essex a few years ago, and despite his advancing years was still able to make the occasional visit to Champion Hill, as well as the more local matches when The Hamlet travelled closer to the Witham area, where he lived in his latter years.

He will be missed by all at Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, especially some of our long-term fans, who had the pleasure of knowing Ivor well.

To his son Malcolm, and all of his family we offer our deepest sympathies from everyone at Dulwich Hamlet Football-from the Boardroom, through to the terraces & the changing rooms.

Malcolm has asked that rather than flowers that donations are made to Essex Air Ambulance Service or to Braxted Ward c/o East of England Co-operative Funeral Service 115B Newland Street Witham CM8 1BE

The funeral will take place on Friday 9th October at Three counties Crematorium, Halstead, Braintree, Essex CM7 5PB starting at 3pm & afterwards at Foster Court, The Grove, Witham, Essex CM8 2TQ. All are welcome.