Hamlet celebrate as the Ryman Premier League beckons

The south London club were promoted to the Ryman Premier Division as champions on Saturday after a 1-1 draw with Burgess Hill Town.

Hundreds of delighted fans packed Champion Hill to see Xavier Vidal level Town’s first half opener and secure top spot, just one point above runners up Maidstone United.

Full picture gallery from the famous day at Champion Hill

Rose told his players to enjoy the occasion and said it was fantastic to share the moment with the club’s supporters.

“As any manager I am ambitious and I want to win and do as well I can. So I always wanted to win the league, but it wasn’t an expectation this season,” he said.

“It was a great night celebrating. We stayed behind at the club for about five hours with the supporters and everyone connected with the club.

Happy days: Gavin Rose and Erhun Oztumer embrace at the final whistle

“There was food, drink and music. Everyone was singing and dancing and enjoying themselves.

“It was a great night and when you are young it is important to enjoy these times. These days don’t come round very often so I told the young lads to make the most of it.”

And it is Dulwich’s young players who have caught the eye in a season that exceeded all expectations for those connected with the club.

Erhun Oztumer, Vidal and Huddersfield-bound Danny Carr have all impressed this season and Rose said he will never stand in their way if bigger offers come in.

“Since I have been here the club has benefited from the academy. We never stand in the way of the lads if they want to move on," he said.

“Danny [Carr] has done what a lot of people have struggled to do. He was released from Reading as a scholar and he has come back down to non league football and worked very hard.

“He has listened to our advice and he deserves this opportunity.”

That lifting feeling: Danny Carr is held aloft by the celebrating Dulwich Hamlet fans    SP72956