I'm sure the League will be even harder than last season, warns Dulwich Hamlet boss Gavin Rose

DULWICH HAMLET manager Gavin Rose says it will be even harder in the Ryman Premier League next season.

Rose has confirmed details of the players that have left the Champion Hill club and those that will be wearing the pink and blue shirts when the new campaign gets underway on 9 August.

The club finished in sixth-place in the table last season, a year after winning the Ryman League Division One South title.

Irish attacker Ian Daly, 24, was the first player to leave Champion Hill, dropping down a division to sign for Ryman League Division One North side Cray Wanderers.

Rose revealed that both Billy Crook and Tommy Kavanagh have been offered deals elsewhere that his club cannot match.

“We would like to thank both players for their efforts for the club last season,” Rose told the club’s website.

“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 playing in the heart of defence next season, but will remain at Champion Hill.

Rose said: “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 the 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.”

Rose wishes Jerome Walker well after showing the winger the door.

“We have also let Jerome go,” said Rose.

“He has been a pleasure to work with and proved himself a valuable asset to the squad last year.  He will no longer be a threat to an opposing side.

“With the emergence of some of the younger 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.”

Frenchman Matthieu Boyer is not in Rose’s plans for the season ahead due to his work commitments within the game.

Rose said: “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.”

Former Maidstone United winger, Ellis Green, has been released by the club.

“Ellis will always be remembered for his contribution in helping the club progress in recent years,” added Rose.

Rose explained why left-back Ahmed Deen has also been released.

“Ahmed has always been a consistent performer for us and a great leader in the changing room,” he said.

“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 been part of the development of our Dulwich Hamlet Football in the Community Programme.”

Striker, Tommy Whitnell, 26, has signed for Ryman Premier League rivals Tonbridge Angels, while midfield magician, Erhun Oztumer, 23, was signed by League One side Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee.

However, Rose has not been resting on his laurels, as he aims to bolster the first team squad both from within and through external recruitment.

“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,” said Rose.

“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.”

Rose has unveiled the arrival of winger Ashley Robinson, 24, who has signed from Ryman League Division One South side Merstham.

Striker, Dean MacDonald, 28, has returned to the club following a spell at Conference South side Whitehawk.

And Rose has unveiled the arrival of three players from Conference South play-off winners Dover Athletic in the shape of defenders Terrell Forbes, 32 and Michael Kamara, 25, and midfielder Ashley Carew, 28.

Rose added: “We are still looking for two players and have invited some very good players to our pre-season for a closer look.

“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.”

When asked his aspirations for the season ahead, the Dulwich Hamlet boss said: “I’m sure the League will be even harder than last season as a result and we look forward to competing and pitting our wits 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.”

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