CLUB STATEMENT – DUNMOW TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Hoddesdon Town Football Club wishes to update supporters, members, and the wider football community following our earlier announcement regarding the cancellation of this evening’s scheduled fixture at Lowfield between Dunmow Town and NW London, and the suspension of all forthcoming Dunmow Town home matches at our ground.

During the summer, both clubs reached a formal agreement that would see Dunmow Town play their home fixtures at Lowfield for the duration of the 2025/26 season. The terms and conditions of that agreement were carefully discussed and mutually agreed upon, and Hoddesdon Town FC looked forward to hosting Dunmow throughout the campaign.

In preparation for this ground share, Hoddesdon Town made significant investments into Lowfield. This included extensive work on the playing surface to ensure it could sustain the increased schedule of matches, with Hoddesdon Town’s own First Team and occasional Youth fixtures also taking place. The club additionally committed additional resources, admin time and manpower, to ensure that every matchday could be delivered safely, professionally, and in accordance with league standards. This investment encompassed matchday operations, administration, and the broader logistical demands that accompany a ground share at Step 6 of the football pyramid.

However, at the beginning of November, concerns emerged within Hoddesdon Town FC and its committee that Dunmow Town were in danger of failing to meet the obligations clearly outlined in the agreement. The club therefore contacted Dunmow’s leadership to seek clarification and discuss the matter directly. Following one or two email exchanges, it became apparent that Dunmow Town were unable to fulfil these agreed responsibilities.

As a result, Hoddesdon Town FC informed Dunmow Town earlier this week that they would no longer be permitted to use Lowfield for their Thurlow Nunn Division One South home fixtures until all outstanding obligations were met in full. It was also made clear that, moving forward, these obligations would need to be satisfied in advance of any further fixtures being played at Lowfield.

We also informed the league of our position and as a result, Dunmow Town’s fixtures on the FA Full Time website are currently showing as cancelled. The league will inform member clubs in due course regarding what happens next and Hoddesdon Town Football Club cannot and will not influence that decision making process. We trust that the league and it’s officials will act fairly, swiftly, and in accordance with it’s own rules.

We are extremely disappointed to have had to take this action.

Hoddesdon Town FC wishes to place firmly on record that every interaction with Dunmow Town’s players, management, coaching staff, and committee members, especially on match days, has been nothing but respectful and positive. They have always conducted themselves in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner during their time with us and we have enjoyed the brand of football that they have brought to the town thus far. This decision is based solely on the terms of the agreement not being met within the prescribed timeframe.

It is our understanding that discussions are currently taking place within Dunmow Town FC regarding their short-, medium-, and long-term future. Should these discussions lead to a positive resolution and should the terms of the original ground share agreement be honoured in full, Hoddesdon Town FC would be pleased to welcome Dunmow Town back to Lowfield for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. We are not in a position to comment further on those internal discussions and it is up to Dunmow Town Football Club and their owner to communicate to it's players, management and supporters the result of any dialogue.

Nevertheless, we must be transparent about the impact this situation has had on our club.

Hoddesdon Town FC has made considerable commitments in anticipation of the ground share. The loss of income from both venue hire and secondary revenue streams—such as food and beverage sales—creates a significant shortfall in our projected budget for the season. This is particularly unfortunate given that several other interested parties approached us during the summer, any of whom may have been able to meet their obligations promptly and reliably.

Despite this setback, Hoddesdon Town FC remains open to further dialogue with Dunmow Town, and the league, in the hope of finding a constructive solution that benefits both clubs. In the meantime, we wish everyone associated with Dunmow Town FC the very best for the remainder of the current season and for the years ahead. We have all experienced difficult times as a small, local non league club and we hope that Dunmow can find some light at the end of a difficult tunnel. However, our priority must be Hoddesdon Town Football Club, it's members and its long term goals.

Should any interested parties have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by clicking HERE or you can contact the Thurlow Nunn League direct by clicking HERE.

Stuart Varney
Chairman, Hoddesdon Town Football Club