Dulwich Hamlet – Non-League Day 2024

This feature is part of a series of articles about seven of Athletic Club's past English opponents that are currently playing Non-League football. These clubs not only played a pivotal role in Athletic's early years, but also in helping football become a global sport.

Perhaps one of England’s most well-known non-league sides, Dulwich Hamlet were founded by Lorraine ‘Pa’ Wilson in 1893.

In March 1921, The Hamlet beat Athletic twice in two thrillers played over consecutive days at San Mames.

There was considerable excitement ahead of the English side’s visit, with Bilbao's football fans keen to see how Athletic matched up against the 1920 Amateur FA Cup champions.

First match

The first clash took place on 27 March in front of a packed-out Cathedral. Dulwich took the lead in the 20th minute via a long-range shot from their inside-left forward. Athletic responded 10 minutes later, with Germán finding the back of the net during a goalmouth scramble.

The English outfit re-established their lead shortly after the restart, their outside-left firing in a shot across goal from his flank. Jose Marí Belauste soon had Los Leones back on equal footing, scoring at close-range after an Acedo corner.

Dulwich took the initiative once more and could have retaken the lead if Sabino had not blocked a shot on the line. Athletic then received a penalty for handball, but Acedo missed the target with his spot-kick.

From here The Hamlet went on the attack, laying siege to Rivero’s goal. Their reward came one minute before full-time as their inside-left headed home a cross from the right wing to make sure the game finished 2-3 to the visitors.

Second match

A day later, the two sides locked horns again. Dulwich took the lead with an early goal through their centre-forward. The teams then exchanged chances, but neither could find the finishing touch, that is until the 44th minute when Pichichi teed up Laka to equalise for the hosts.

Ten minutes after play resumed, Dulwich went 1-2 up after scoring a header from a corner. Athletic made it 2-2 moments later, Belauste netting after some good work between Pichichi and Allende.

The match continued at a frenetic pace and the English side soon went 2-3 up as Athletic scored an own goal. Dulwich then took the wind out of the game as their right-back scored a direct free-kick. The clash finished 2-4.

Local reports described Dulwich as a “formidable team with a lot of skill”, picking out the right-back and England international goalkeeper Bert Coleman as their best players. Apart from those two, Edgar Kail, another England international, was also singled out for praise. 

What's more, Dick Jonas, Dulwich’s future club secretary, was making a third appearance at San Mames, having also featured for the Shepherd’s Bush side that took part in the stadium’s inaugural triangular friendly tournament along with Racing Club de Irun.

Modern Day

The Hamlet currently sit ninth in the Isthmian Premier League (English football’s seventh tier) with 52 points after 34 games. They are four points away from the play-off spots.

Dulwich play their home matches at the irrepressible Champion Hill, regularly achieving attendances in excess of 3,000 spectators.
Athletic got a taste of that incredible atmosphere last season when a group of around 20 Athleticzales travelled to London to watch Dulwich take on Oxford City in last year’s edition of Non-League Day.

This time around, the Londoners will be on the road for NLD, facing tenth-placed Bognor Regis at Nyewood Lane.

Flag exchange and retro jersey raffle

As part of Athletic Club’s collaborations with our historical opponents, we have sent each of the seven clubs in this series an Athletic flag to hang at their ground and a retro jersey to raffle off among their fans.

In return, each club has donated a flag to Los Leones. These colours will be on show at different grounds throughout Euskal Non-League Day and then given to the AC Museum.

Euskal Non-League Day

Drawing inspiration from the UK version, Athletic has organised Euskal Non-League Day with the aim of celebrating grassroots football in the Basque Country and recognising the important role our affiliated clubs play in their respective communities in addition to producing players for Athletic.

Coinciding with the Non-League day in the UK, on the weekend on March 23-24, 86 of our partner clubs will be participating in this second edition of Euskal Non-League Day.

Historical English opponents

Our features on the seven English teams are being published in chronological order based on the date of their first match against Athletic.

(Click to read)
Monday 18th: Civil Service FC, United Hospitals
Tuesday 19th: Eastbourne Town FC
Wednesday 20th: Merton FC
Thursday 21st: Bromley FC
Friday 22nd: Dulwich Hamlet, Corinthian-Casuals FC

These are the details of the sides’ Non-League Day fixtures. If you’re an Athleticzale in England over the weekend of March 23-24, we encourage you to attend one of these matches.

Civil Service FC vs Old Carthusians. March 23, 13:00 GMT. King’s House Sports Ground
Eastbourne Town vs Shoreham. March 23, 15:00 GMT. The Saffrons
Merton FC vs Winchmore Hill. March 23, 14:00 GMT. Joseph Hood Recreation Ground
Bromley FC vs York City. March 23, 15:00 GMT. Hayes Lane
Bognor Regis Town vs Dulwich Hamlet. March 23, 15:00 GMT. Nyewood Lane
Corinthian-Casuals vs Badshot Lea. March 23, 15:00 GMT. King George’s Field