Coronavirus Crisis: Dulwich Hamlet suspend all football activity

DULWICH HAMLET have suspended all football activity for the foreseeable future, as the country comes to terms with the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Premier League, English Football League and Isthmian League announced on Friday that their competitions were suspended, while the National League went ahead as planned, although some top-flight games didn’t go ahead due to players suffering from symptoms.

Gavin Rose’s full-time side play in the Vanarama National League South and they beat Hemel Hempstead Town 2-1 at Champion Hill at the weekend, in front of 2,376 fans, but the club have decided to suspend all football activity to protect their local community.

A club statement published on their website said: “The club today puts forward a plan to suspend all games indefinitely for the safety of all. This action reflects the reality that all experts agree the situation will worsen and that it will not be possible for our Men's team to complete the National League season before all player contracts come to an end and member clubs start going out of business.

“We have also notified London South East Regional Women's Football League that our teams will not be playing until it is safe to do so. We hope that all football authorities start working to the reality things are likely to get worse before they get better.

“Our plan for the immediate future is to work closely with The National League to try and ensure the long-term survival of all 68 member clubs, as well as make our space and facilities available for community/organisational use in combating the Covid-19 outbreak.

“More information will follow, be kind to each other and look out for the vulnerable in our community. We'll see you soon.”

Meanwhile, the National League U19 Alliance, including the National League Football Academy Divisions and Academy Cup will be suspended with immediate effect until further notice.

“The situation will be monitored regularly and clubs will be kept up to date with any decisions that are made,” said the National League, who held a management committee meeting this morning.

Visit Dulwich Hamlet’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet