Bostik Supporters Preview 17/18: Dulwich Hamlet

We asked a supporter from each of our member clubs to answer the same series of questions as part of our preview of the new season. We also asked them to predict how their particular division would finish, from one to 24- and their answers will be revealed in a collection of Supporters Prediction Tables to be released the day before the big kick off.

Here are the answers of Mishi Morath, representing Dulwich Hamlet

1. What was your favourite moment of last season?

Several. The FA trophy run. At home to Braintree town was sublime, in the second half. Coming from two down to draw at home to Macclesfield Town, and the replay up there, although we lost our support was amazing, non-stop singing and 150 of us making the long journey. They were such a decent, welcoming club too. I’ve never been so proud in defeat. And winning at Billericay Town, only three days after they won 3-0 at Champion Hill, with their fans leaving in droves with 20-minutes or more left on the clock. Also, being in Germany at the end of May when our close friends from Hamburg, Altona 93, clinched promotion to the Regionalliga Nord.

2. And what was the worst moment?

Three stand out for me…losing so tamely at home to Hendon in the FA Cup. One day we’ll have a cup run…but we’ve only got to the first round proper once in my lifetime, and that was in the last century! Losing the London Senior Cup semi-final at Cray valley (Paper Mills). We only put out a squad side, but should have beaten them & the final was at our place, which would have meant a 2,000+ crowd, rather than the less than two hundred that was there when they beat the Met. Police. And, naturally, the play-off final at Bognor Regis Town. Although, to be honest, I don’t like play-offs personally & they did finish second, so fair play to them…I still can’t get over the to me crazy numbers of us taking over a thousand fans down there.

3. How will you do this season?

I hate making predictions like this. All I will say is that Gavin Rose has a squad that can and will challenge for the title. We lose play-offs for a reason, and if we become the first Hamlet team to lift the Isthmian League title since 1949 then I would quite happily collapse on the spot & die a happy man!

4. Which matches are you most looking forward to- and why?

The match I’m most looking forward to is the one after the season has finished! The July 2018 trip to play our friends from Altona 93, in a special 125th anniversary celebration of both clubs. But Bostik League wise look no further than Boxing Day….away to Tooting! Personally, Brightlingsea Regent, as it’s the only new ground in the division for me to visit.

5. What is your favourite away ground?

Not one in particular, but (whisper I gently!) the Tooting ground is far too good for them! Folkestone Invicta is a decent old ground, with a superb club shop, so that ticks the box for me.

6. Who do you consider your biggest rivals- and why?

In case you hadn’t guessed…it’s Tooting & Mitcham United, who us ‘Old Skool’ fans still call the Thugs & Muggers! Our newer fans often ask me why I dislike them so much…I just tell them it’s the way I was brought up as a child! There’s also been no love lost with Leatherhead, ever since ‘Wall-gate’ in 2013.

7. What advice would you give to an away supporter visiting you for the first time?

Look at our official Club website & click on the Information bit. It’s all on there.

8. Who is your favourite player (for your club) of all time- and why?

The all-time hero is Edgar Kail, even though he hung up his boots over thirty years before I was born! Of the ones I’ve seen my personal childhood hero was a tall, gangling centre-forward called Ron Bexley, around when we got promoted in 1978. I think he was my first ever ‘football crush’ before I even knew what a crush was! In terms of pur football, the best player I’ve ever seen & had the privilege to pull on the Pink & Blue is Erhun Oztumer…now in the football League with Walsall. Not just a brilliant player, but an all-round decent bloke off of it.

9. Finally, predict who will fill the top five positions at the end of the forthcoming season:

Ourselves, Billericay Town-anything less with that budget would be unreal- Enfield Town, Tonbridge Angels & Margate…with Leatherhead as a good outside bet to sneak in ahead one of them.