Dulwich Hamlet FC will be playing a fundraising match against Middlesex County Leaguers FC Assyria, with all money raised being split between the Southwark Refugee Communities Forum and the British Red Cross Syria Appeal.

The idea for the game came after Southwark Councillor Jasmine Ali approached the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Trust to see if the club would get involved in another fundraising initiative (many Dulwich Hamlet fans have also been helping bring vital supplies to refugees across the channel, via the enterprising Dulwich2Dunkirk campaign).

The club explains that by playing FC Assyria (who compete one division above Stonewall FC, who Hamlet played in an ‘Anti-Homophobia’ event a year ago), they not only help raise much needed money & resources, but they also get the chance to work with one of the many unsung lower level teams further down the pyramid.

FC Assyria was set up in the late 1960’s to represent the Assyrian Society of United Kingdom in Ealing, West London. Over the past thirty years or so, the team have successfully competed in the local leagues, challenging for both league and cup honours. These traditions are still alive today with the team playing at Step Seven, four rungs below The Hamlet

Who are the Assyrians?

The Assyrians of today are the indigenous Aramaic-speaking descendants of the ancient Assyrian people, one of the earliest civilizations emerging in the Middle East, and have a history spanning over 6750 years. The Assyrians are Christian, with their own unique language, culture and heritage living mainly in Iraq, Syria, Iran and Turkey. Unfortunately due to War and ISIS attacks, many Assyrians have had to flee their homelands and become refugees.

Reaching out

The club explains that forthcoming game will give them the opportunity to reach out to both the local refugee community in Southwark, and across London, as well as using the Club as a medium to “counter much of the discriminatory nonsense that is scaremongeringly covered by the media, in general. As well as making a practical difference to those who have not managed to find places of safety yet.”

All of the money raised at the match will be split between two very important charities, one local & one national.

The Southwark Refugee Communities Forum are one of our match partners, with the other half being donated to the much larger national British Red Cross Syria Appeal.

The local Southwark UNISON branch of the trade union will be official match sponsors, with the match ball sponsored by the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Trust. [—]

Match details

Dulwich Hamlet vs FC Assyria

Date: Wednesday 2nd March, kick off 7.45pm.

MATCH POSTPONED – will update with rescheduled date

Admission: £5 for adults, £2 concessions & all Under Twelves FREE.

Dulwich Hamlet info:

Dulwich Hamlet Football Club

Champion Hill Stadium

Edgar Kail Way

East Dulwich

LONDON

SE22 8BD

Tel: 020 7274 8707

[Map location]