Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and local MP Tessa Jowell addressed fans at the launch of Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Trust at Cham-pion Hill on Monday night.

The launch was the official start of the trust, which has been set up by a working group following a public meeting in May.

Acting chairman of the trust Andrew Tucker said: "Dulwich Hamlet has been through the wringer recently for one reason or another.

"We are hoping the launch of the trust will signal a new relationship between the club, the fans and the local community.

"Central to the success of any football club, particularly one the size of Dulwich Hamlet, is a genuine influence for supporters and the local community in the running of the club. We hope to facilitate that.

"We will, for example, be contacting local schools in the next few weeks to discuss how we can link up with them."

Dulwich Hamlet is one of the great names in football. The club won the FA Amateur Cup four times between the two World Wars and provided two full England internationals, Bert Coleman and the legendary Edgar Kail, during the same period.

As recently as 1995, they were serious contenders for promotion to the Conference, but hard times hit and the club was relegated in 2001 to Isthmian League Division One.

"In the past, the club has not necessarily had the greatest of support from local politicians," said Tucker. "The fact that Tessa Jowell, a member of the Cabinet, is in support of the trust will hopefully signal a change in attitude."

The working group has been contacting players, supporters and officials of the club, past and present.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the new supporters' trust should con-tact Andrew Tucker via Dulwich Hamlet FC, Edgar Kail Way, Dulwich SE22 8BD, by phone 07941 993561 or email dulwichtrust@hotmail.com

September 20, 2002 10:33