We can't let the occasion get the better of us, says Dulwich Hamlet boss Gavin Rose

The Hamlet clinched the Ryman League Division One South title last season and welcome Lowestoft Town to Champion Hill Stadium for their first game at this level since they finished rock bottom at the end of season 2000-2001.

“Yes, it will b e a great occasion, but we can’t let the occasion get the better of us,” said Rose, 36.

“What’s more important is we start the season off well.  Obviously Lowestoft, being one of the favourites for the league because they’ve been there or there about’s every year.

“It will be a tough one but also a good one for us to start off with because it gives us an idea of where we are.

“So the occasion for the nostalgic Dulwich fans will be great because of how long we’ve not been in this league, but for us it’s like getting down to business to try to be as competitive as possible for the club.”

When asked what the club’s aspirations are for the season ahead, Rose revealed he is splitting their campaign in three.

He said: “I think we’ll take it in three stages and the first stage will be to make sure we are competitive and we’re no pushovers for anyone. I think that’s the first thing.

“Once we get that we’ll then look at it and see if we can edge towards the top half of the table and then if we’re doing well again then we’ll be even more ambitious and think about play-offs and the top end of the league.

“The first thing we have to do as a priority is to make sure that we’re competitive and we don’t roll over and we’re a tough team to beat so I we don’t have one season in this league and that’s our first priority.

“Once we achieve that that we’ll be even more ambitious and thinking about the top half. If we do well then we’ll think about the top five.”

But before Hamlet welcome Suffolk side Lowestoft at the weekend, Rose’s side have one more pre-season friendly when newly-promoted Crystal Palace visit Champion Hill Stadium on Tuesday night (7:45pm).

The Premier League club have promised to send their first team squad and Rose said: “Football is all about experiences and the boys would love to experience playing against a Premier League team.  We have to play with pride and stick to our beliefs.”

Visit Dulwich Hamlet’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet

Dulwich Hamlet  v  Lowestoft Town
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 10^th August 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Champion Hill Stadium, Dog Kennel Hill, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD