Manager Gavin Rose agrees Dulwich Hamlet stay

Gavin Rose has agreed to stay on as Dulwich Hamlet manager.

He had previously told the South London Press that he wanted the National League South club to improve their infrastructure.

Rose has been Dulwich boss since 2009 and led them to two promotions.

“The contract hasn’t been signed but it is agreed,” he said. “I’ve been recruiting players since the end of the season, so it would be pretty crazy if I didn’t sign.

“It was always in my mind that I was going to carry on but I needed the club to try and give us a little bit more to work with, in terms of facilities and the way of doing things, because this is a tough league that has become much more professional as well.

“We are quite under-resourced in that area, we are just trying to catch up and make it a level playing field. The club have tried to make some really good efforts.”

One of the key things Rose wanted to see change was a set training base, instead of scratching around for a site.

“That’s still up in the air but it seems to be a lot more promising,” he said. “We have a place across the road from the stadium that we trained at a couple of years ago. If we can get through the red tape we could be in there by the middle or end of pre-season.

“We’ve always been nomadic and before that is what leads to taking what you’re given.

“The moment the club get some positive news on a new stadium – when the first bricks are being laid – then the club will look completely different in what it can do for the community and supporters in terms of a matchday experience.

“The club is operating as well as it can going on a year to year basis. That can be a five or six-year plan at a new stadium.”

Dulwich have signed left-footed central midfielder Sam Deadfield. The 25-year-old used to be in Birmingham’s academy and had been on Hampton & Richmond’s books since the summer of 2019.

“He can play box to box or as a number 10,” said Rose. “He is quite versatile.

“He has always impressed me when we have played against Hampton.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD