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Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s Bostik Premier League game with Dorking Wanderers. Here is your complimentary e-programme.

Bostik League and Respect logos

IN TODAY’S PROGRAMME

DARREN FROM THE DUGOUT

Click on the player below to listen to Darren Freeman’s thoughts ahead of today’s game…

CHAIRMAN’S NOTES

Good afternoon and welcome back to The Pan for this afternoon’s game against top of the table Dorking Wanderers. I’d like to welcome their fans, players, management and officials to East Sussex and hope their journey home is problem free.

I’m writing these notes on a dry, sunny day and the forecast suggests today’s weather will be something similar. Quite the contrast to our last home game against Tonbridge Angels. It was quite obvious from around 7pm that, despite the heroic efforts from Roger, the game wouldn’t finish.

Despite some comments to the contrary, we (the club) hold no sway over the officials or a decision to cancel a game. Likewise, the officials are not bound to make a decision based on a weather forecast – they have to base their assessment on the facts in front of them. At kick-off there were puddles on the pitch but it was just playable. The rain wasn’t due to stop until later in the evening so it was obvious that playing conditions would deteriorate, which they did. It is thankful that neither team had scored by the time the game was abandoned and we will do it all again on the 27th February.

Last Saturday we missed out again due to the weather and due to results elsewhere, and finally fell out of the Play-off spots, although we do now have games in hand on all those above us. The league is so tight from 3rd to 13th that it is impossible to predict any result. One score that did stand out was our visitors today beating Kingstonian 7-1, a result when combined with the latter’s terrible recent form (six defeats in a row), saw them part company with their manager.

Looking at their teamsheet it is hard to fathom why they are doing so badly. However, we’ve seen it before that just throwing big name (and big wage) players together doesn’t make a team.  Thankfully, we have a manager who understands how to get the best out of his budget and squad!

I’d like to welcome Ben Pope to the club who has joined us from local rivals Burgess Hill Town. Ben was a real thorn in our side on New Year’s Day and we hope he can have the same impact on our opposition. Darren is still actively looking at strengthening the squad and we are doing everything we can to support him in that.

You may have also seen in the past few days that the club plans to re-open its Boys Academy in 2020, along with a new Girls Academy (starting in September) in conjunction with Plumpton College.  It was with a very heavy heart we decided to close our previous academy but it no longer made economic sense.  The new academy will see the education delivered by Plumpton, which makes a very big difference to the economics.  Let’s hope in the next few years we see more Ronnie and Harry’s in the first team after graduating from Plumpton!

Get behind the team today – Come on you Rooks!

Stuart

RIP TERRY GRAVES

Lewes FC is saddened to hear of the death of former player and Assistant Manager, Terry Graves. Everyone at the club sends Terry’s family our very best wishes and we shall be observing a minute’s silence ahead of today’s game in Terry’s memory, and to mark the passing of England World Cup winner, Gordon Banks.

Club President, Terry Parris, paid the following tribute to Terry Graves:

Terry has passed away due to cancer. He was incredibly brave, he knew something was seriously wrong and he was battling through it. He was a robust centre-forward who weighed in with many goals. He was very determined and a great team player; you knew if Terry was playing that the defenders were in for a tough time.

He was a true Rook and spent a spell with us as Coach/Assistant Manager under Kevin Keehan. He was passionate about the game and you could talk all day about the finer elements of the game and he loved coaching, I was fortunate enough to play alongside him for Lewes and also Newick Rangers for many years. We cannot believe he is no longer with us, he was a true gentleman and a great family man, he will be sadly missed by us all.  

BECOME AN OWNER

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CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN OWNER NOW!

TODAY’S MATCH MUSIC

Today’s match playlist is compiled by our very own John Peel (not that one). Click on the player below to listen to the tracks on Spotify.

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY, DAVE

Dave Lamb

Dave Lamb is a familiar face here on the terraces at The Dripping Pan. Today, however, he shall be lording it from the posh seats, as he celebrates his 50th birthday from the salubrious beach huts.

We hope you have a great day, Dave, and celebrate with a drink… or two.

Bostik League sponsors

ROOKS UNITED

In the next in his series of articles about teams wearing Red and Black stripes, Stuart Fuller heads to Slovakia where he takes his place on the terraces of the Štadión Antona Malatinského to watch the most famous team in Red and Black in the country.

I don’t have particularly good memories of my one and only trip to watch Spartak Trnava.  The club, one of the most successful in Slovakian football have a fearsome reputation.  The Ultras Spartak are one of the few groups of fans who can genuinely put the Lewes Lunatic Fringe and the Back of the Net boys to shame with their incessant singing, jumping up and down, flag waving and basic fanatical support in fair weather and foul. 

On a match day the stadium literally rocks to the noise they create – a bit like The Jungle does on a Tuesday night game in February.  It should have been right up my street when I visited a few years ago.  Alas, a dodgy Hungarian sausage the night before in Budapest left me with a bit of a stomach complaint (later diagnosed as that common first world disease, dysentery no less) so I was in no mood for bouncing up and down or breathing in a lung full of acrid flare smoke.

The club have won the Czechoslovakian First Division a few times as well as the Slovakian league since the split of the two countries back in 1993.  Last season they finished as runners-up in the Corgoň Liga (now the Fortune Liga after a sponsorship deal with a cookie company), the top flight in Slovakia, and look to be shaping up nicely for a title challenge this season.  Back in 1969 they reached the semi-finals of the European Cup no less and this season reached the Europa League play-offs before losing to FC Zurich.  Last season they won their first ever Slovakian title, the Fortuna Liga and will take their place in this season’s Champions League will honour.

So what other affinity do they have with the Rooks apart from the famous red and black stripes?  Well, I’ve searched high and low and cannot find any player who has played for both teams, although I am sure the impressively named Boubacar Diallo would have raised a titter or two if he had been announced to the crowd.  They do a mean burger at the Stadion Antona Malatinského although I’m not sure of the source of their produce.  Beer?  A nice local drop called Plopp from memory but hardly in the same league as Harvey’s Blue Label.  But the fans?  Well, that is where we share a link. 

We both have a set of fans who through thick or thin, rain or shine, comprehensive home victories or away day hammerings will get behind the team.  That is our bond.  And whilst they will show their support for Juraj Jarábek’s side with smoke canisters, flares and imaginative banners, we prefer the English way with a polite round of applause and a nice cup of tea.

TODAY’S OPPONENTS: DORKING WANDERERS

Founded in 1999, Dorking Wanderers (not to be confused with erstwhile local rivals and now defunct Dorking FC) have enjoyed a meteoric rise that shows no sign yet of stalling.

After an initial season in the Crawley and District Football League, the Wanderers climbed through the divisions of the West Sussex League, their four promotions in five seasons lifting them to the Premier Division in 2005. Two years later they won the West Sussex League title and promotion to the Sussex County League.

Successive promotions in 2011 and 2012 took Dorking Wanderers from third to first divisions of the County League, and runners-up spot in 2015 was enough to secure promotion to the Isthmian League.

An impressive free-scoring debut season in the Isthmian League saw the Wanderers take second spot in Division One South, only to suffer the disappointment of play-off defeat. A year later, in 2017, they again finished second, level on points with champions Tooting and Mitcham, but this time did enough to win promotion to the Premier Division, with penalty shoot-out victories over Hastings United and Corinthian-Casuals.

Last season they finished 14th in the Premier Division. They currently top the table and are on a run of seven straight wins (ten games unbeaten), including last Saturday’s 7-1 demolition of Kingstonian.

MEET THE SQUAD

Marc White – Manager & Chairman

Marc is the founder, Chairman and Manager of Dorking, and has overseen the club’s rapid rise up the Pyramid since its inception in 1999, through the West Sussex League, Sussex County League and Combined Counties League all the way to the Isthmian League structure. No fewer than 12 promotions in 19 full seasons have seen Wanderers march all the way to the top of the Bostik Premier League, achieving a new town centre stadium and annual crowd increases of 300 per cent along the way.

Slavomir Huk – Goalkeeper

Slovakian 24 year-old keeper Slavomir won youth cups with VSS Kosice. The 2017 Player of the Year is part of Dorking folklore with his promotion winning penalty shoot-out heroics.

Rob Sheridan – Defender

Rob impressed in the Ryman South’s meanest defence in his debut year, making the Team of the Season. He also previously won promotion to the Premiership with Kingstonian.

Isaac Philpott – Defender

Isaac made a debut for Sutton United in the Conference South aged just 18. Now 23, he has returned to his home town of Dorking after graduating from university.

Sami  El-Abd – Defender

Sami started as an U18 at Crawley Town and played for Whitehawk and Chelmsford City, as well as the Rooks. He is a Teacher at Brighton Academy who joined Dorking  from Bognor Regis Town.

David Ray – Defender

An experienced campaigner, David works as a car dealer and is best known for his years at Basingstoke where he played in the 2006 FA Cup 2nd round.

Jerry O’Sullivan – Defender

Jerry signed for Dorking in 2018 from South Park, where the versatile and tenacious defender was captain with more than 320 appearances, rising through the leagues with the Reigate club.

Lewis Taylor – Midfielder

Lewis is a 2017-18 signing from Kingstonian. An experienced campaigner, Lewis was formerly with AFC Wimbledon and Tonbridge where he scored the winning goal to earn promotion to the Conference South.

Sam Beard – Midfielder

Sam began his career at Brighton & Hove Albion Academy and represented Sussex U18s. After joining Dorking from Loxwood, he broke into the first team last season as a 19 year old.

Luke Moore – Midfielder

29 year-old Luke is an electrician in real life, but still won the FA Trophy with Ebbsfleet, and promotion to the football league with AFC Wimbledon.

Matthew Briggs – Midfielder

Matt had trials with Blackburn and Burnley and last heard he was a Surrey University student. He has twice achieved Young Player of the Year operating as a winger, and watch him – he scores goals.

Niall McManus – Midfielder

Niall played for Matlock Town while studying economics at Sheffield University. He was signed by Dorking after a year at Leatherhead where he won Player of the Season.

Tom Richards – Midfielder

Tom had a youth career with Fulham before making a senior debut with AFC Wimbledon in 2014 before moving to Aldershot. He’s a left-sided midfielder who signed from Leatherhead.

Reece Hall – Midfielder

Reece is a 25 year-old winger who signed for Dorking from neighbours Merstham in November. He came through the ranks at Crystal Palace before starting his senior career at Tooting and Mitcham FC, going on to play for Redhill, Lewes, Staines Town and Kingstonian.

Jason Prior – Forward

Jason is known as a prolific goalscorer who scored 26 in the National League South at Havant & Waterlooville the other season, including the goal that clinched the championship. He’s already notched 21 this term in 33 outings.

James McShane – Forward

James is 27 year-old in his second season with Dorking after stints at Staines and Molesey. Last season’s Manager’s Player of the Year, he’s scored 7 this season.

Tom Tolfrey – Forward

Another sparks in real life, the 26 year-old is in his fifth season for Dorking. They keep rising through the leagues and Tolf keeps scoring goals; 24 in 39 games last campaign, though only a poor (for him) 4 this.

JOIN THE LEWES FC VETS

GET YOUR BADGES!

Lewes FC is blessed to have a pair of great badge sellers, and now you can buy online as well as in person at The Dripping Pan.

Badgeman Brian has a website selling rare Rooks badges and badges from other clubs. If you’re missing something from your collection, pay a visit to Skoorbadges or Brian’s eBay site.

If you’re more of a bricks-and-mortar badger, than Gary Blaber’s huge range of badges can be seen at the top of the main Philcox stand, just as you enter the ground. Brian and Gary both make generous donations to the 12th Man Fund from the profits they make, so you’re helping the club while building your collection.

It costs only £50 to sponsor a player or manager for home or away Kit. £25 for training kit and boots. All funds raised go to Lewes FC Supporters Club, helping to fund Lewes FC throughout the season.

Contact: david.arnold@me.com or see David or Barbara on match days.

DARREN FREEMAN
HOME: REG FREEMAN
AWAY: DAVE LAMB

ROSS STANDEN
HOME: DAVID & BARBARA ARNOLD
AWAY: CATHY FELTHAM

STEVE BRINKHURST
HOME: RON PIDGEON
AWAY:
TRAINING KIT & BOOTHS: ETHEL TREAGUS

FRANKIE CHAPPELL
HOME: ED BRIGGS
AWAY: ED BRIGGS
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS:  ED BRIGGS

DAYSHONNE GOLDING
HOME KIT: HAIR FOR MEN, 16 MARKET ST, LEWES

ROGER FELTHAM’S TRACTOR
HOME: JAMES BRIGGS
AWAY: JAMES BRIGGS
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: JAMES BRIGGS

JAMES HAMMOND
HOME: ROOK, CANNON AND HORSE ASSOCIATES LTD
AWAY: LUCAS WARNER
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: LUCAS WARNER

LUKE BLEWDEN
HOME: SUSIE ARLETT
AWAY:
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: SUSIE ARLETT

LLOYD COTTON
HOME: STUART FULLER
AWAY: STUART FULLER
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: STUART FULLER

BILLY MEDLOCK
HOME: DAVE LAMB
AWAY: DAVE LAMB

STACEY FREEMAN
HOME: ROGER WARNER
AWAY: ROGER WARNER
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: ROGER WARNER

HARRY REED
HOME: ANDY ROSSITTER
AWAY: SAM & JOE BARKER
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS:

LEWIS CAREY
HOME: DAVID & BARBARA ARNOLD
AWAY:
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS:

RONNIE CONLON
HOME: NEIL FINNEY
AWAY: LUCAS WARNER
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: SUSIE ARLETT

JONTE SMITH
HOME: BARRY HAFFENDEN
AWAY: JASON FOULKES
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: LUCAS WARNER

OMARR LAWSON
HOME: TONY HARMAN
AWAY: YEOVIL JOHN
TRAINING KIT & BOOTS: LUCAS WARNER

MICHAEL DOME-BEMWIN
HOME: DAVE EVANS

LEON REDWOOD
HOME: WILL & COLIN KEMP

CLUB SHOP MANAGER, BARRY HAFFENDEN
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY HAIR FOR MEN, 16 MARKET ST, LEWES

If you wish to sponsor a player, contact David Arnold at the Supporters Club.

BARRY COLLINS’ SEC’S LIFE

The Club Secretary on the perils of pitch inspections

I managed to get through my first season as Club Sec without losing a single game… to the weather.

Now, well ensconced in season three, we’ve managed to have two games abandoned before half-time in just a few weeks. Nobody’s quite said it to my face, but you should see the looks I get as people trudge past me on their way out of an unfinished game. It’s the facial equivalent of a word that begins with P and ends in illock.

In my defence, even my sternest critics would admit I have little or no control over the weather. If I did, areas such as Dorking, Enfield, Bognor and Haringey would be an awful lot windier on Saturday afternoons.

However, one thing I do have a semblance of control over is a pitch inspection. If the pitch is looking iffy, I can ask for the Men In Black to come and give it the once over.

Here’s how pitch inspections work. Nine times out of ten, the referee assigned to the match is not a local. None too keen on a 150-mile round trip to come and look at patch of damp grass, most referees will ask me to find a local ref to do the honours.

This referee has to be Class 3 or above and there are only about half dozen of them within ten miles of The Dripping Pan. Like the rest of us, the referees also have day jobs, so finding one who wants to come out at 3pm to inspect a pitch before a midweek game is like trying to find a vegan in the cold meats aisle at Waitrose.

Even if you can find a ref, there’s often no point. Because a few hours before both the games with Margate and Tonbridge Angels, the pitch had been perfectly playable. And most refs won’t call a game off on the strength of a weather forecast – in fact, some say they’re not allowed to.

So even though we know there’s a monsoon on the way by the time the match starts on an already damp pitch, we have to go through the farce of starting a game that everyone in the ground knows won’t finish.

We brought this up with the League after last week’s wash-out with Tonbridge and asked them to consider a rule change. If both clubs and the referee agree in advance that weather conditions are unlikely to let a match finish, we should be able to call it off between us, we argued. The League say they will ask the board to consider it.

In the meantime, keep hold of your ticket stubs every time you enter the Pan on a rainy day and knock off the death stares when you pass me on the way out of the ground. Secs have feelings too, you know…

TODAY’S TEAMS

Will be displayed here when announced…

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

OPPONENTSH/ADATE
Carshalton AthleticASaturday 23rd Feb, 3pm
Tonbridge AngelsHWednesday 27th Feb, 7:45pm
WhitehawkHSaturday 2nd Mar, 3pm

Click here for a full men’s fixture list

Click here for full-season stats

FILMING AT MATCHES

Today there may be film crews in the ground, filming on behalf of Lewes Football Club and other media organisations. The filming is usually for Lewes FC marketing purposes, to show what a matchday looks/sounds like and to generally promote what we do. There may also be film crews from media organisations who will use their footage in news reports, and crews for a documentary about Lewes FC Women, Reds. Lewes Football Club respectfully asks for your permission to be filmed. If you do not want to be filmed, please let the crew know directly and they will oblige. Thanks for your cooperation in helping to build a successful club.

CREDITS AND LEGAL

“The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex and sexual orientation or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.” (The FA 0800 085 0508 / Kick it Out 020 7253 0162).The Isthmian League and all Member Clubs in the League are committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of the community.”

Lewes 2000 FC Limited. Registered in England and Wales with Company Registration Number 03790979. Lewes 2000 FC Limited is 100% owned by Lewes Community Football Club.

Honorary President Terry Parris
Chairman Stuart Fuller
Directors Ed Briggs, Charlie Dobres, Karen Dobres, Stuart Fuller, Steve Keegan, Galia Orme, John Peel, Ed Ramsden, Roger Warner, Trevor Wells
Club Secretary John Peel
Match Secretary David Evans
Youth Secretary Kevin Brook
Operations Manager Warren Lane

Equality FC Campaign Manager Karen Dobres

Life Members
Mr and Mrs Brook, Vic Blunt, Pat Dartnell, Gary Elphick, Gordon Fowlie, Peter Hiscox RIP, Billy Nixon, Derrick Parris, Terry Parris, Jimmy Quinn, P. Swaysland, Steve Ibbitson, Jason Hopkinson, Steve White, Martin Elliot, Kevin Fingerneissl, Kevin Powell, David and Barbara Arnold, Roger and Cathy Feltham, Ethel Treagus, Roy Dartnell RIP, Ron Moore, Derek Southouse, Ray Smith, Ken Carter RIP

Manager Hugo Langton
First team coach Dale Hurley
First team physio Katie Joynes
Goalkeeping coach John MaCrae
Under-18s Manager Dale Hurley
Under-18s Assistant Manager Craig Stevens
Under-18s coaches Jake Legrange and Johnny Buggy

Golden Rook Rob Read
Web Editor Stuart Fuller
Progcast Editors Paul Sheppard and Stuart Fuller
Progcast Designer Barry Collins
Club Photographer James Boyes