Thursday 29 November 2007

All change!

Andy Tucker & Lawrence Marsh informed the squad today that they will be standing down from running "The Rabblers" after our end of January tour to Namur, in Belgium:

"This e-mail is to let you all know that Lawrence and I have decided to stand down from running the supporters team. We will continue to organise things up until the tour to Namur at the end of January, but will then be stepping down.
This is not a decision we have taken lightly having thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the organisation of the team over the last four years. However, both of us have found it increasingly difficult to dedicate the time necessary to organising matches this season, and the various other tasks that it involves and this has been reflected in arranging less matches and getting less players (other than the last match against Bromley obviously!). We also think that we have probably taken the team as far as we can and an injection of new ideas will be of benefit. We are very pleased therefore that Mark Hutton and Mick O’Shaughnessy will be taking over the running of the side. Mick and Hutty will no doubt be in contact shortly with details about future games and tours.
We would also like to thank all of you for the help you’ve given over the past few years. We will of course still be playing, and will make every effort not to criticise the running of the team or the organisation of anything! However, if our behaviour on the terraces is anything to go by, we may well fail."

It almost feels like the end of era, but it's not. As one chapter closes, thus another begins.
Larry & Andy have been running the show since January 2004. It has been a remarkable three years, as they have made us stronger and better as a unit. This is Supporters' Football I am referring to, where results are almost 'secondary'. It is the growth of the whole team off of the pitch where they have excelled.
Wonderful tours abroad, including our last one in July to Estonia.
Staging our first ever International Tournament at Champion Hill for our " 'Pa' Wilson Cup."
Social Team nights out for meals for the squad.
Arranging for our unique kit, based on the 1920 First Team Amateur Cup & Isthmian League double winners.
Managing to arrange regular pitches in our Dulwich heartland.
I'm sure there are many more things which you can all add to that list.
It will be a hard act for Mick O'Shaughnessy & Mark Hutton to follow, but I am in no doubt the team are in capable hands.
I am sure they will build on what Larry & Andy have achieved in their three years at the helm, and the Supporters' Team can look forward to reaching our twentieth anniversary in just under two years time!
It is a thankless task trying to keep the team together, I know for I tried to hold things together for a few years in the dim & distant past.
It might be a bit presumptious of me, but on behalf of all the players-past & present- I'd like to offer them a big thank you for all the work they've done & what they've both achieved for the team.
Now they can go back to 'enjoying' just turning up ten minutes before kick off & getting on with the game!

Friday 23 November 2007

Action from the Ultras match

These snaps were taken on Jack's camera, by myself, which
explains why they're not the best in the world!
And these were the ones that weren't a total blur!
Still a big thank you to Jack for his help in putting them on here.

Click on each photo for a larger image.





"Aw! There, there, there!"



































Not quite a 'textbook' wall, but it kept them out!


























You mean it's not a 'spot the ball' competition?















There! At least the round thing's in that one!














"Hands up if you think the Snooze is better
than the SLoP?"




























































I hope we've got a sub..he ain't getting back
up uickly at his age!




















Silky skills Chris: our only ever-present...
after only four matches!















Get stuck in, son! Dawn looks shocked...they don't
tackle like that in her girlie side on Sundays!
















Answers on a postcard...
Better still just post it in the comments spot
at the bottom of this post!















Ian Wright looking nervous...wondering if he can sneak
away before he's clobbered for match subs! ;-)



Monday 19 November 2007

Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 2 Hayes Lane Ultras' (Bromley Supporters') 2

A report of the game will follow soon, hopefully, supplied by Chris "Scoop" Tabrett.

In the meantime thanks to Jack McInroy, on whose camera I took this team snap, & for uploading it onto our blog.

















Back row (left to right): John Prendergast; James O'Shaughnessy; Phil Baker; Gary Tabrett; Chris Tabrett; Lawrence Marsh; Ian Wright; Ian Gannon; Joel Virgo; Jack McInroy.
Front row (left to right): Ferenc Morath; Kublai Hoare; Dawn Taylor; Matt Hammond; Andy Murphy; Jon Tennison; Chris Garrett; Darren Nicolas.
Not in picture: (taking photographs!): Robbie McClintock; Mishi Morath.

Friday 9 November 2007

Our next game:

Is now Saturday 17th November versus Hayes Lane Ultras FC; the Bromley Supporters' Team.
This is a 10.30am kick off at Belair Park.
The First Team are at home to Croydon Athletic in the afternoon.
This will be our first game for around a month. Unfortunately our last scheduled match was cancelled on the 27th October. We had been due to play away to Grays Athletic Supporters' at the 'half way' venue of Norman Park, in Bromley. But we, somewhat disgracefully in my opinion, could not raise a side. You can bet your bottom dollar that we will have players queuing up to pull the shirts on at HOME to Bromley, as it's only down the road.
Our Football Team is NOT just about the easy home games, and hand on heart, was Bromley really that difficult to get to?
It is about building bridges with other teams, having fun, representing our Club, and being committed to the team...not just when it's a few minutes down the road. Having tried to organise this team in the past until Andy and Larry took over I know what a thankless task it is, and when games are called off it is extremely demoralising. So please: try to make the effort. I realise that the majority of you can't make every game we play, but it really is not just about the home games, or the 'prestige' tournaments at Champion Hill Stadium; where-for some strange reason-we had a full squad, with people coming out of the woodwork to play, and some even turning turning up with their boots unexpected! If only that could happen every game eh...

Beavering away to no avail!

Hampton and Richmond Borough Supporters' 7
Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' 0
Internet Football League
Saturday 20th October 2007
at Imber Court Sportsground, East Molesey,Surrey.


Report by: Chris Tabrett.

What a contrast a few months makes! At the tailend of last season "The Rabblers" had their best result of the season, with a 10-2 victory at the Dulwich College all-weather pitch. Now, early on in the new campaign, it was the Beavers who were looking for payback and got it in this emphatic vistory. Though, if I am totally honest, the score did flatter them, and "The Rabblers" did play well. But Hampton had a huge squad of young whippersnappers, against an older, not quite so fit, Hamlet squad of only thirteen brave men and women. It could have been so different if an early goal had not been mysteriously disallowed for 'offside', and if-following that- Ian Gannon had not had his penalty attempt saved on his debut.
Dulwich started the game with a 3-5-2 formation, which was a bit weird personally, as I've never played that before. Despite going behind this was working well, but the real blow we had to suffer was when Danny King went off injured, to take no further part in the game. This threw our settled play somewhat, & half time could not come soon enough. The second half started with us playing a 4-5-1 style, & again we began strongly, but as the game went on our legs began to tire and we inevitably started to leak goals. The final part of the game was very tiring, but we still tried to keep it tight, and started to play some good football again. Fair play to Hampton andRichmond Borough supporters' for an enjoyable & sporting game despite the very one-sided scoreline!
Team: Matt Hammond; Danny King (Mark Hutton-on 35 mins) [Mishi Morath-on 65 mins]; Phil Baker; Steve Rickerby; James O'Shaughnessy; Chris Garrett; Lawrence Marsh; Chris Tabret; Dawn Taylor; Ian Gannon; Gary Tabrett.

And the Beavers viewpoint:

The following report comes from the Hampton and Richmond Borough supporters' team website:


Sat 20th Oct 2007
League
BeaversFC
7
Johan Percherin (2)
Dan Rae (5)
Dulwich Hamlet
0


A bright sunny day at Imber Court which saw a bit of an Internet Football Association love in. As well as our own game vs Dulwich Hamlet on the next pitch Kingstonian were playing hosts to AFC Wimbledon (4-4 draw). Dulwich, resplendant in their pink and blue shirts, were a much changed team from the one that beat us 10-2 at the end of last season. We have also changed our line-up somewhat since that day - and you can see the improvement as our players begin to play as a team more frequently. We actually had a squad of 19 players present - which seeing as we started the day with 16 was strange in it's own way. Of the 19 players though only 16 were used as Keith J kindly volunteered to ref the whole game and Dave Rees ran the line. Both did an excellent job and the management team are grateful to them both. Paul D also suggested he didn't play to rest his calf injury and then promptly went and ran a few laps of the Imber Court field !! Boss Jamie had decided to try a different formation (5-4-1) in an effort to make us solid at the start and prevent our problem of conceding early goals. The first action of the game actually saw Dulwich having a goal disallowed for offside. The flag had been raised for the first ball into the box but the players carried on until the ball hit the net. Only then was the lino's decision noticed and a free kick to the Beavers correctly awarded - but it did seem to wake us up. We took hold of midfield and started creating chances. The first went to Danny H who hit a powerful cross shot. Shortly afterwards a short corner routine saw Michael nearly get on the end of the cross and Danny H following up just knocking the ball over the bar. As we dominated Dan broke down the left, beat the full back but was forced wide by the keeper. Dan was able to pull the ball back to Chris, but with the keeper out of position Chris's shot just went wide. Our next chance fell to Nick. DJ, whose delivery from corners and free-kicks was superb throughout, knocked in a corner and Nick's powerful header was cleared off the line. Dan had a shot from distance that went just wide and then he had a free kick on target, well held by the keeper, after Johan had been fouled. It was still 0-0 though and in a rare Dulwich Hamlet break they had a shot which just went over the bar. We finally got in front when our defence broke up a Dulwich attack which allowed Dan and Danny H to break at pace. A quick exchange of passes saw the ball at Dan's feet and he poked the ball home for a 1-0 lead. That was nearly doubled when Danny H just flicked the ball over the bar from another free-kick. Dulwich had a great chance to equalise when DJ was penalised for pushing and a penalty was awarded against us. Adam dived to his right but was able to get a strong left hand to the ball - even better he was up quickly to smother the 2nd ball and the resulting goalmouth scramble ended up with a Dulwich player hitting the ball wide of the target. Dulwich pressed forward again, this time winning a corner. The outswinging ball was met on the half-volley by the Hamlet player, but this time over the bar. Beavers then began to step up a gear...Dan had a great header from a corner which was blocked by a defender. Then the 2nd goal came - Nick and Dan won the ball in midfield and slipped the ball forward to Johan who had his back to goal. A bit of French flair and he slipped past two defenders before burying the ball past the keeper into the top corner. 2-0. Dulwich were still looking useful going forward - they had a header which went just wide and on a counter attack had two forward players onto one - but Martin stood strong and cut out the danger. Another DJ corner saw a spectacular overhead effort from Dan on target - but well held by the keeper. Nick sent in a cross, which Johan got a touch onto Danny H who fired just wide. Even Jamie nearly got on the scoresheet as his cross (don't let him tell you it was a shot) bounced past the keeper but a defender was on hand to block. Danny H nearly got to the loose ball but the keeper bravely dived back to claim. As half-time approached we finally fot the 3rd goal our 1st half performance deserved when Dan was fouled on the edge of the box. DJ delivered a quality ball again, and though this was cleared Jamie flicked the ball to Dan who curled the ball into the top corner for a 3-0 scoreline. H-T Beavers FC 3 Dulwich Hamlet 0 Second half substitutions saw Jon, Alfie, Joe and David B on for DJ, Gibbo, Chris and Danny H. Johan, who was excellent in the lone role up front, again caused the Dulwich defence problems with his pace and trickery. The first real action saw Johan try his luck from distance, just hitting the ball wide. Dulwich hit back with a chance from a free-kick, a free header just going wide. Johan though pretty much settled the game on our next attack when he tried his luck from distance and his shot just had enough pace to beat the keeper.4-0. Joe was displaying some skill down the right hand side and one cross was just cut out by the keeper with Beavers players lining up to finish the move off. Dan then scored a replica goal to the one Johan had just scored with a shot from distance just evading the keepers dive, therefore completing the first ever hatrick from a Beavers FC player.5-0. Dan wasn't satisfied with that as he continued to torment the tiring Dulwich defenders. Moving forward he tried to play a one-two with Alfie but got a lucky break off one of the defenders and was able to poke the ball home.6-0. Further substitutions saw Mark come on for Jamie - and Danny H, Chris and DJ came back on for Johan, Nick and Martin. Joe continued to show some fancy footwork but just couldn't finish the chances he got on the end of. Dan chalked up his 5th and our 7th with a smartly taken strike.7-0. Dan thought he had scored a double hatrick when he stroked the ball home from a ball Joe had pulled back from the byline. However the goal was disallowed when the ball was adjudged out of play before being cut back. Adam had to palm away a rare Dulwich shot as they went for a consolation goal. They were often leaving two or three players up front through a desire to get a goal and because they were dog tired. The defence though were determined to keep a clean sheet and Jon and Mark made a couple of superb tackles to ensure that was achieved. As we went in search of further goals chances fell to Dan, who fired just over the bar, and Joe who had an effort just pushed onto the post. Joe was further frustrated when he had a header cleared off the line and Dan's follow up was deflected over the bar. DJ delivered another great corner which Michael just failed to connect with and Dan had another effort saved after Joe had set him up after another fine bit of wing play. The final piece of action saw DJ intercept the ball near the halfway line - move forward and then strike a curling shot just beyond the far post, with the keeper beaten. F-T Beavers FC 7 Dulwich Hamlet 0 Beavers Man of the Match; Dan - but this was a fine squad performance Team Line Up Adam; DJ, Jamie H, Martin, Michael, Gibbo; Chris, Nick, Danny H, Dan; Johan Used Subs; Alfie, Mark, David B, Joe, Jon Unused Subs; Keith J, Dave R, Paul D

January tour to Belgium on!

After a 'few scares' it looks like we will have enough players willing to travel so that we will be able to raise a side to visit Namur, in Belgium, at the end of January. We were expecting to play our good friends, marshalled by Nicolas Lucas, from the Paris Saint Germain Supporters' Club (Belgium branch). But they are struggling for numbers that weekend, as some of their number are unavailable, so they are 'linking up' with the fans of their local Belgian Second division side Namur, & we will be officially doing battle with them. Which, I personally think, is marvellous, as not only do we have the pleasure of their local hospitality, it also adds new foreign opposition to our ever growing tally of teams played on our tours. Though that does seem like a rather lame excuse to me from Nicolas. Truth is I think he's 'running scared' from us, having lost at Belair Park in 2005, & then being unable to defeat are merry old band in Paris earlier this year, I think he really is running scared of suffering a hat-trick of matches where his boys have been unable to defeat us magnificent "Rabblers" over ninety minutes!
If you haven't committed yourself yet it's not too late to let Andy know you're available, so drop him a line if you're interested: Andrew.tucker@justice.gsi.gov.uk
The actual date of the game is Saturday 26th January, & the First Team you will miss that day is at home to Walton & Hersham. But don't look at is as 'having to miss a match', no! More it's a case of you are taking part in another Dulwich Hamlet match the same day!
Namur are at home on the Saturday evening, & we will be cheering them on too!