While football is in the background due to the corona virus, Sportsmail moves to the last position of Dulwich Hamlet

No one on the way to Champion Hill, home of Dulwich Hamlet, could have expected to approach one of the last bastions for football obsessed with the coronavirus pandemic that hit the game badly.

The 3,000-seat area provided a unique opportunity for people to get together and enjoy the simplicity of sport, as well as sample the atmosphere for what is likely to be their last game in quite some time.

And at least 90 minutes, like Sports email discovered, a game of non-league football provided a much needed diversion from the uncertainty lurking.

With only 30 minutes until Dulwich Hemel Hempstead entertained in one of the last remaining games, a lively crowd of excitement bubbled and crackled. A horde of spectators surrounded the entire field and were also packed in the main stand. The bar was not surprisingly busy with the usual pre-game conversation.

But there were many colorful sweaters. With the sports calendar suddenly stalling, supporters from various teams from across the country seemed to flock to the capital, determined to enjoy their usual days of absence.

With Covid-19 disrupting everyday life, sports are understandably on the back burner.

Throwing down the hatches can prove to be a minor inconvenience for Premier League teams. But for clubs that descend into lower leagues, especially in the non-league system, match day earnings will often be the only reason for their survival. Now that the money earned from the turnstiles and bar has been removed, paying the rent on time suddenly becomes a significant hurdle.

Dulwich chairman Ben Clasper is well aware of the imminent danger and has even called on the Football Association to cover the costs of running lower-level clubs should the National League also decide to suspend matches.

The club has taken steps to be in line with the latest government medical advice, with a completely cashless system on the ground. All staff members wore gloves and the facilities on display were kept in pristine condition.

Perhaps the reason why large groups of wide-eyed people – who clearly visit Champion Hill for the very first time – decided to flock across the field, is the feeling of an unparalleled refuge in football stadiums.

Sport can provide an escape and supporters from different teams in the capital, who might usually greet each other with a skewed side brilliance clustered with forgotten past rivalries.

A group of Millwall supporters were able to sample the pre-game atmosphere over a pint, one of which admitted that they had made the trip to see live action.

A Chorley fan had also decided to go to Dulwich after his team’s clash with Bromley was suspended. He’d received the bad news on the train, but was determined to make the most of his time in London.

The supporter wore his team’s red jersey and revealed he only wore that specific shirt twice: the first home game of the season and the last away game.

Despite the Lancashire-based outfit still having four exits left for May, the northerner believes he attended his last game of the campaign.

A small group of Preston fans who had also roamed south were quickly noticed.

Despite the uncertainty hovering over the division, the fact remains that Dulwich is in danger of relegation and urgently in need of a positive outcome. Before the afternoon’s action started, the club staggered just a single point above the drop zone.

But regardless of their current state, Hamlet remains an integral part of the local community and has undoubtedly survived worse. A planning dispute led to Dulwich losing their home and having to share the stock with Tooting & Mitcham United.

Finally, Dulwich was allowed to return to Champion Hill and is in the process of securing new terrain nearby so that the club can house their ever-growing support base.

A combination of fans and supportive politicians then ensured the club’s survival, with similar goodwill on Saturday. But it lurked under the feeling that, for many who attended, this was also their chance to say goodbye to football.

Steve, a retired teacher who became a groundhopper, regularly watched Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premiership and has witnessed his share of football action up and down the country this season.

Whether this will be his last game in the near future remains to be seen, although the sad truth is that the shutters will certainly be pulled around sports venues sooner rather than later.

Tension rose under the faithful home when Hemel Hempstead took the lead, which was tangibly cut when Dulwich skipper Quade Taylor took on a pinching challenge.

Lionel Ainsworth later put the leveler in the house, leaving an older supporter to launch his jacket on the ground, overwhelmed by a mix of relief and elation.

Metal glistened in the diminishing afternoon sun as the hosts sent a corner into the penalty area, and Brighton fans Ollie said fans will traditionally ring their keys for set pieces.

He had spent some time in Italy before the coronavirus spread across the continent, and returned home before the country initiated a nationwide closure of the country to stem the spread of the pandemic.

Despite admitting that Dulwich would be able to escape the danger of relegation if the season is postponed, Ollie also believes that the complexion of football during hibernation will be worrying.

Another supporter in the area, accompanied by a friend who had traveled more than an hour to get to the ground, was in the least not concerned about the corona virus and was more comfortable with the lower turnout compared to higher stadiums.

And soon most on Champion Hill got a rousing sender, with Dulwich taking the lead late in the game to score a crucial three points. Ollie hinted at a grandstand finish and the hosts took care of it spectacularly, with fans of all the descriptions soon celebrating together.

The full-time whistle was greeted with supporters, who would usually follow two different teams in full, promising to meet for a drink that evening. The groups then took to the road again, with Chorley’s faithful hell keen to catch the very last train back north.

A final reminder of the community spirit that football offers was sparked with a thunderous chorus by Sweet Caroline in the bar. But with the sport on hold indefinitely, supporters would have run off the ground, not sure when they could return.