Just champion

Tuesday 1st November 2011, Dulwich Hamlet 2 Eastbourne Town 0 - Ryman League, Division One South - Champion Hill




A meeting in London enabled me to get along to the evening game at Dulwich - Champion Hill, probably the best one sided ground in the UK, but there is far more to Champion Hill than that. This is a new ground, the old 'Champion Hill' was next door and is now a Sainsbury Superstore. Champion Hill was one of the largest non league grounds in London with a record crowd of over 20,000. I believe it was even used in the Olympics.




It was not just the ground that was well known, Edgar Kail is the name of the street that leads to both the store and the ground. Edgar a Dulwich player was the last amateur to play for the full England team and would have played in the 1930 World Cup if it had not been for the FA/FIFA dispute.

It may only have one stand but it is an impressive one as the sports centre is built behind it making it stand out further. Inside the stand the usual large screens and bar but behind a door you have an honours board that would look more at home at a Bowls Club, private school or cricket pavilion and next to the board a wall with pictures of famous players from the 30's and numerous plaques and awards from various FA's.










It may not be 'The' Champion Hill but still worth a visit and the short rail trip south from London Bridge.