Urban75 Home About Offline BrixtonBuzz Contact

Peter Crouch joins the Dulwich Hamlet board

1927 said:
Maybe the increased exposure will increase not just physical attendances, but interested non attendees like myself. Surely that can only be a good thing! I am quite prepared to be told I’m wrong.
Click to expand...

The thing with this is that Dulwich really don't have a problem with attendance except for people not currently being allowed in. Before Covid the ground was already creaking at the seams trying to accommodate everyone. This programme seems to be already setting up a 'poor old non-league club struggling to get more than a handful of fans before Crouchy and his TV cameras showed up' narrative which really isn't the case.
 
Monkeygrinder's Organ said:
The thing with this is that Dulwich really don't have a problem with attendance except for people not currently being allowed in. Before Covid the ground was already creaking at the seams trying to accommodate everyone. This programme seems to be already setting up a 'poor old non-league club struggling to get more than a handful of fans before Crouchy and his TV cameras showed up' narrative which really isn't the case.
Click to expand...
Hence my post about interest amongst non attendees!
 
The Discovery Channel is getting the boot from BTTV's Now TV entertainment package so I haven't got a clue at present how it's able to be watched.
 
1927 said:
Maybe the increased exposure will increase not just physical attendances, but interested non attendees like myself. Surely that can only be a good thing! I am quite prepared to be told I’m wrong.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure that the club really needs that many more people coming through the turnstiles as it was running at near-capacity before Covid struck and enjoying the highest attendances in the league (and was attracting bigger crowds than many clubs a division or two above us).

I have to say it wasn't the greatest place to watch a game when it was rammed full in terms of sightlines and I can't imagine this extra interest benefitting those who already struggled to get a view on matchdays.
 
The current Champion Hill setup doesn't lend itself to big crowds. Unless you get right down at the barrier or a seat in the stand you struggle to see. We need more staggered terracing, or you have to turn up at 2ish for a 3pm kick off. In the old days I could do that and have a pint. If I want to take the wee one now that's not so easy, as it's a lot of hanging around.
 
EDC said:
The Discovery Channel is getting the boot from BTTV's Now TV entertainment package so I haven't got a clue at present how it's able to be watched.
Click to expand...

They have their own streaming platform, Discovery+, which will get massive promotion soon as Discovery/Eurosport has rights to the Olympics with every event on there (ie more than the BBC).

Discovery also own Quest on Freeview channel 12, which is where the Football League highlights live these days, so it'll probably pop up on steam TVs at some point.
 
No statement from the club either on this documentary, yet details have already been appeared as an exclusive in The Sun, the newspaper that lied about Liverpool fans at Hillsborough.

Especially since we were all asked to turn up at Champion Hill on Tuesday to act as unwitting extras for this programme. Perhaps we should ask for our faces to be pixellated out.

This isn't good, is it?
 
darryl said:
No statement from the club either on this documentary, yet details have already been appeared as an exclusive in The Sun, the newspaper that lied about Liverpool fans at Hillsborough.

Especially since we were all asked to turn up at Champion Hill on Tuesday to act as unwitting extras for this programme. Perhaps we should ask for our faces to be pixellated out.

This isn't good, is it?
Click to expand...
Absolutely spot on. I've not heard a thing from the club.
 
Monkeygrinder's Organ said:
The thing with this is that Dulwich really don't have a problem with attendance except for people not currently being allowed in. Before Covid the ground was already creaking at the seams trying to accommodate everyone. This programme seems to be already setting up a 'poor old non-league club struggling to get more than a handful of fans before Crouchy and his TV cameras showed up' narrative which really isn't the case.
Click to expand...
That couldn’t be further from the truth… This will be looking at the sort of alternative income streams that will enable the Hamlet to be self sustaining & competitive as one of the few clubs at this level of football whose primary source of income is the fans coming through the turnstiles. The difference between the sort of budget required to be competitive at NLS as opposed to NL top level is eye watering with the potential for the budget to be as much as tripled. The aim is that these alternative income streams will enable the club to keep admission prices within everyone’s reach without the need to bring in the sort of sugar daddy investment that other less well-supported clubs rely on.
 
Why do people keep saying they have heard nothing from the club? Agreed there has been nothing on the website but there has been plenty on the social media channels as well as articles in both local newspapers the Southwark News and the South London Press with the chairman quoted in the former… It seems to me that it is not any lack of information that people seem to be concerned about but the fact Dulwich Hamlet are the subject of a “reality TV” documentary. Really wondering what they are expecting? A “Love Island” style pre-season trials for the teams? Scripted “Made on Champion Hill” or “The Only Way is East Dulwich”? Jeez if that were the case I’d have signed up a agent straight away, demanded a trailer & full rider and into a Harley Street for bit of face & body work & a more feminine nose…
 
Paula_G said:
Why do people keep saying they have heard nothing from the club? Agreed there has been nothing on the website but there has been plenty on the social media channels as well as articles in both local newspapers the Southwark News and the South London Press with the chairman quoted in the former… It seems to me that it is not any lack of information that people seem to be concerned about but the fact Dulwich Hamlet are the subject of a “reality TV” documentary. Really wondering what they are expecting? A “Love Island” style pre-season trials for the teams? Scripted “Made on Champion Hill” or “The Only Way is East Dulwich”? Jeez if that were the case I’d have signed up a agent straight away, demanded a trailer & full rider and into a Harley Street for bit of face & body work & a more feminine nose…
Click to expand...

There's plenty of stuff about Crouch of course but not this TV program - that looks to be deliberately avoiding mentioning it to be quite honest.

And people might have a better idea of what it's about if they were actually told. I'm sceptical it will be the first of this sort of programme not to be shit though.
 
Clearly the club feel like they're doing this for the right reasons, and we should trust that, but equally it's understandable that people will have concerns without knowing more about it or seeing the output.

The media companies will of course be in it to make money and the test will be whether they're happy to try and do that at the expense of the club and those involved. That the club have already had to have a conversation with those companies about aligning the project to our values is a slight worry, but maybe better to get that clarity at the outset than later on.

I'll remain cautiously optimistic until there's reason to feel otherwise - let's hope there isn't.
 
Monkeygrinder's Organ said:
There's plenty of stuff about Crouch of course but not this TV program - that looks to be deliberately avoiding mentioning it to be quite honest.

And people might have a better idea of what it's about if they were actually told. I'm sceptical it will be the first of this sort of programme not to be shit though.
Click to expand...
We have thousands of supporters, both regulars at games, occasional attendees and ones restricted to virtual attendees via social media etc… It almost sounds as you asking for virtual control being exercised over what is and isn’t included in the documentary by those supporters and that you have little trust in the board, management, Supporters and fans already involved in this. Blimey if it carried on like that it would end up like the “MyFootballClub” debacle at Ebbsfleet… While I have read some genuine concerns I also read comments from others who seem to be of the Groucho Marx “Whatever it is I’m against it” persuasion.
 
Monkeygrinder's Organ said:
There's plenty of stuff about Crouch of course but not this TV program - that looks to be deliberately avoiding mentioning it to be quite honest.

And people might have a better idea of what it's about if they were actually told. I'm sceptical it will be the first of this sort of programme not to be shit though.
Click to expand...
It appears the club, for whatever reason, isn't ready to release news of any television show just yet. The Mirror/Sun articles didn't mention our club, so presumably there was some sort of embargo on naming the club, but our supporters have just put two and two together and concluded it's us. So far I've seen no discussion of the story on wider social media, though no doubt someone will pick up on it sooner or later and we'll get the inevitable sneering from rival supporters.

Personally I'm disinterested in the television thing. All I ask is that Peter Crouch is in it for the long haul and will continue to play a positive role in the running of the club well beyond the lifespan of an 8 part documentary series.
 
Paula_G said:
Why do people keep saying they have heard nothing from the club?
Click to expand...
Because it's true? Before I published the Buzz article I'd been in touch with someone at the club asking if there was a club statement available and was told a 'joint statement' from the broadcaster and club was coming, but nothing materialised.

There's still nothing on the club website, yesterday's 'Dulwich Hamlet Football Club Weekly Roundup' makes no mention of it and I've yet to see an official press release. And I do find that a bit disappointing, to be honest. It feels like the fans are very much being kept out of the loop.
 
I'm not convinced that Peter Crouch can bring to the football side of things anything additional that a competent managerial team shouldn't be able to already deliver at our level. Most of the news item listed reasons for the Crouch appointment are, dare I say, wishy-washy at best.

It is a bit of a side-show, which some fans will have absolutely zero problem with (and will actually embrace and have a right to enjoy the ride) and others might view as the continuation of a very media-driven football club. I'm not convinced that this TV programme is a necessary evil given our healthy attendances etc, but on the flip side our income must have been vastly reduced plus the fine etc.

I was invited Tuesday but couldn't attend, but I'd have felt like a clapping seal if Peter Crouch the Director, was actually Peter Crouch the Director during the making of a documentary about an "ailing" football club. I also feel there is a over-defensive side of the Board right now; it's non-league, we all get into it and dare I say we all get a bit precious as fans. No-one is mocking effort, but on several occasions the club representatives get overly-twitchy around genuine fan concerns ergo the fans are then told, in a round about way, that they "are never happy" etc.

On a positive note, I have 100% confidence that the club always take an excellent stance against The Sun newspaper.

Maybe like some others I am just long in the tooth and not a massive fan of this current era of DHFC, or my perhaps own interests have moved on to other things. DHFC isn't on my current essential to-do list, so I am also keen to avoid being a typical older moaning football fan, when for so many it is a place of great fun and happy happy joy joy!
 
Christian Burt said:
I'm not convinced that Peter Crouch can bring to the football side of things anything additional that a competent managerial team shouldn't be able to already deliver at our level. Most of the news item listed reasons for the Crouch appointment are, dare I say, wishy-washy at best.
Click to expand...
Well on the coaching side of things Peter is said he’s here to learn more than again else as he’s currently taking his coaching badges. When I wandered upstairs for the Ing-ur-land game Crouchy was in deep conversation with Marvin & the DHFC Women’s coaches. Gavin was also there so if he felt threatened by the “new lad” there was nothing in his body language or demeanour to suggest that…

For those that weren’t there Peter is being interviewed on ITV London News from 6pm with a couple of club representatives from both sides of the spectrum (be kind to me please!) one of the young players from the women’s team who wasn’t even born when Crouchy was at Champion Hill & this old girl who still recalls the “Twenty Foot Chicken” (or 12 foot the years have taken their toll!)
 
Paula_G said:
For those that weren’t there Peter is being interviewed on ITV London News from 6pm with a couple of club representatives from both sides of the spectrum (be kind to me please!) one of the young players from the women’s team who wasn’t even born when Crouchy was at Champion Hill & this old girl who still recalls the “Twenty Foot Chicken” (or 12 foot the years have taken their toll!)
Click to expand...
The 20 foot chicken thing came from this Alan Partridge sketch:

 
I did the initial introductions between the club and the production company, and helped out on Tuesday so thought I would add some comments and hopefully alleviate some fears. The below are my thoughts/ observations and not those of DHFC or Workerbee ( hereon in known as 'The Production Company')

It seems, the current lack of info is neither the fault of the Club or the Production Company. It’s just the nature of dealing with a broadcaster owned by a huge multi-national company.

Things take longer to be signed off than expected and must go through the correct channels. I’m sure the delay is as frustrating for those running the club/ production as it is for the fans. But more information will be available soon. Indeed from what I can tell, the plan was to reveal all on Tuesday, but this was delayed further up the food chain and beyond anyone at the Club or Productions Companies control.

In the meantime, I would ask that you treat tabloid reporting for what it is. For instance, the phrase ‘reality show’ is utterly misleading and has come from those organs' own staff, not the program-makers/ broadcaster, who very much don't see the project that way.

Due to my status as a Hamlet fan and rank and file infantry TV freelancer, I’ve been asked many times over the years by production companies I've worked for/know to help them approach Hamlet about access for filming. This is the first and only time I’ve agreed, due to my trust in the people involved at the top of this particular Production Company and respect for their work.

If anyone who was there on Tuesday feels that they don’t want their face to be featured in the program, please do DM me and I can pass this info onto the Production team who will ensure you are omitted. On a more general note about Tuesday, Claire stepped in to help me gather people at the Prod Co's request, so please send any queries/ complaints my way, not hers.

And finally, happy to discuss further with any fan, please DM.
 
Paula_G said:
Well on the coaching side of things Peter is said he’s here to learn more than again else as he’s currently taking his coaching badges. When I wandered upstairs for the Ing-ur-land game Crouchy was in deep conversation with Marvin & the DHFC Women’s coaches. Gavin was also there so if he felt threatened by the “new lad” there was nothing in his body language or demeanour to suggest that…

For those that weren’t there Peter is being interviewed on ITV London News from 6pm with a couple of club representatives from both sides of the spectrum (be kind to me please!) one of the young players from the women’s team who wasn’t even born when Crouchy was at Champion Hill & this old girl who still recalls the “Twenty Foot Chicken” (or 12 foot the years have taken their toll!)
Click to expand...
Honestly don't feel our Gav is the type to ever feel threatened by anyone of anything! Fair point though re "here to learn".
To me, Crouch isn't really a Dulwich ex player, just a guy on loan for a few matches who went on to have a surprisingly good career. First saw him in a dour 0-0 Palace vs Portsmouth Championship game when I'd actually gone to to watch Prosinecki! Who was injured or more likely smoking & drinking somewhere more fun than Selhurst Park.
Tell you what, the lad who set this all off - Dave McEwan - was hugely talented. Not many get signed from the Isthmian League to the top flight. Think injuries and not adapting to pro training ended his hopes at Spurs? That fella was sensational.
 
Effra Eyes said:
I did the initial introductions between the club and the production company, and helped out on Tuesday so thought I would add some comments and hopefully alleviate some fears. The below are my thoughts/ observations and not those of DHFC or Workerbee ( hereon in known as 'The Production Company')

It seems, the current lack of info is neither the fault of the Club or the Production Company. It’s just the nature of dealing with a broadcaster owned by a huge multi-national company.

Things take longer to be signed off than expected and must go through the correct channels. I’m sure the delay is as frustrating for those running the club/ production as it is for the fans. But more information will be available soon. Indeed from what I can tell, the plan was to reveal all on Tuesday, but this was delayed further up the food chain and beyond anyone at the Club or Productions Companies control.

In the meantime, I would ask that you treat tabloid reporting for what it is. For instance, the phrase ‘reality show’ is utterly misleading and has come from those organs' own staff, not the program-makers/ broadcaster, who very much don't see the project that way.

Due to my status as a Hamlet fan and rank and file infantry TV freelancer, I’ve been asked many times over the years by production companies I've worked for/know to help them approach Hamlet about access for filming. This is the first and only time I’ve agreed, due to my trust in the people involved at the top of this particular Production Company and respect for their work.

If anyone who was there on Tuesday feels that they don’t want their face to be featured in the program, please do DM me and I can pass this info onto the Production team who will ensure you are omitted. On a more general note about Tuesday, Claire stepped in to help me gather people at the Prod Co's request, so please send any queries/ complaints my way, not hers.

And finally, happy to discuss further with any fan, please DM.
Click to expand...
This is a helpful post - thank you for taking time out to explain a little more. I still fall in the "avoid such media" but fair play for posting and for many it will be interesting as a final cut!
 
I could be standing right in front of a camera and it would miss me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Cat Daisy
Cheshunt v Dulwich Hamlet, 30 November
Replies
22
Views
1K
Pink Panther
Pink Panther
Paula_G
Dulwich Hamlet vs Bognor Regis Town, ILP, Saturday 4th January
2 3
Replies
80
Views
5K
AveryDave
AveryDave
Pink Panther
Dulwich Hamlet 2024/25 Kits
2 3 4
Replies
98
Views
5K
editor
editor
B
Dulwich Hamlet vs Hendon, 13th Aug 2024
Replies
18
Views
4K
editor
editor
darryl
Altona 93 v Dulwich Hamlet, Saturday 12 July 2025
Replies
5
Views
807
all to nah
all to nah
Back
Top Bottom