Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s Bostik Premier League game with Tonbridge Angels. Here is your complimentary e-programme.
IN TODAY’S ISSUE
- Important notice
- Darren from the Dugout
- Chairman’s Notes
- Today’s match music
- Recent match review
- Hammond hits 150
- Today’s opponents
- Player sponsors
- Today’s teams
- Forthcoming fixtures
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR MATCH ATTENDEES
If you have retained your ticket from the original, abandoned fixture, you will be granted free access to the stadium.
All other attendees will be charged normal match prices of ÂŁ12 for adults, ÂŁ6 for concessions and Kids Go Free.
DARREN FROM THE DUGOUT
In today’s interview, Darren talks about the three new signings the club has made this week. Click on the Play button below to listen to the interview, and see photos and profiles of the new signings below:
(Apologies for the whining noises in the background. That was Barry’s dog, not the players in training.)
MOHAMED DIALLO
GEORGE TUSON-FIRTH
OLAJUWON ADEYEMO
COMING UP ON SATURDAY…
PLUS… After the game on Saturday we will be holding a Fans’ Forum in the boardroom, giving you a chance to put your questions to Darren Freeman and the board of directors.
CHAIRMAN’S NOTES
Good evening everyone and welcome back to The Dripping Pan for our second attempt to complete this match. I’d like to welcome the fans, players, management and officials from Tonbridge Angels tonight and hope their relatively short journey home is problem free.
Once again we face a game against another club with promotion ambitions. As I write these notes, nine points separate Merstham in third and Bishop’s Stortford in 12th. With our depleted squad we did really well to stay in the play-off spots although defeats in our last two games
On Saturday we came away from Carshalton disappointed that we hadn’t taken all three points, let alone one. We had the edge in a tight game and once more can be proud of our performance. All teams go through rough patches, and it is in the campaign hands of Darren, Ross and Codge to get us firing on all cylinders again – now is the time to put a run together.
In terms of injury updates, Ronnie had his knee surgery last week. That went well, and Leon goes in for his shortly. For those who were at the game on
Last Sunday our U18s continued their fine run of form when they beat Southwick 3-0 in the Sussex Youth Cup Quarter-Final, and now face Eastbourne Borough away in a couple of weeks. Also a big shout out to Steve Eke’s DS side who beat a strong Cray Wanderers team last Monday 3-2. It should be noted that when the first team suffer a number of serious injuries, it also has an impact on the DS as Eke has a smaller squad of players to choose from, so once again our junior sides continue to do us proud.
Last Thursday our Women’s side comprehensively beat Crystal Palace Ladies 3-0 at Bromley FC, their first win under Fran Alonso. It wasn’t just the scoreline that was impressive but the whole performance. Unfortunately, due to the way the fixtures are structured the squad have to wait a further two weeks before their next game when Millwall Lionesses are the visitors here.
I’m sure many of you will have seen our open letter to the FA calling for a fairer distribution of prize money from the FA Cup. Whilst we hear the arguments about TV audiences, commercial revenues and attendances, the huge disparity between the prize funds of the respective tournaments needs addressing. The winners of the Men’s tournament this year, almost certainly to be an already cash-rich Premier League side, will get 144 times the amount the Women’s winners will. Nobody is expecting a massive change overnight but a steady move toward a fair and equal playing field is essential if the Women’s game is to grow in this country.
Don’t forget there’s the small matter of a local derby here on Saturday against in-form Whitehawk.
Get behind the boys tonight and Come on you Rooks!
Stuart
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.
RECENT MATCH REVIEW
Carshalton Athletic 2 vs Lewes 1, Bostik Premier League, 23rd Jan
As has been the case on our previous two visits to Carshalton, the Rooks took the lead, only to find themselves pointless by full-time. Watch the match highlights below:
And watch Darren Freeman’s verdict on the match here:
JOIN THE LEWES FC VETS
HAMMOND HITS 150
James Hammond will – if selected for tonight’s game – become the current player with the second most appearances for Lewes FC. He hit 150 appearances on Saturday in the defeat to Carshalton, drawing level with Ronnie Conlon.
Six players in the current squad have made more than 100 Lewes FC appearances.
CURRENT SQUAD CENTURIONS
| PLAYER | APPEARANCES |
| Steve Brinkhurst | 283 |
| Ronnie Conlon | 150 |
| James Hammond | 150 |
| Alex Malins | 105 |
| Charlie Coppolla | 103 |
| Luke Blewden | 102 |
TODAY’S OPPONENTS: TONBRIDGE ANGELS
Tonbridge FC were formed in October 1947 and joined the Southern League in 1948. The club took out a lease on the Angel Ground, named after an adjacent public house, which had previously been a home to Kent County Cricket Club. A crowd of around 5,000 saw the club’s opening league fixture at home to Hastings United, and in the 1951-2 season Tonbridge recorded a record attendance at the Angel Ground of 8,236 for an FA Cup First Round tie against Aldershot.
Tonbridge reached two Southern League Cup finals, losing to Yeovil Town in 1955 and to Hereford United in 1957. Relegated from the Southern League Premier Division in 1962, promoted in 1964, relegated again in 1966, the club returned to the Premier Division in 1973. In the same season a crowd of 7,770 saw Charlton win 5–0 at the Angel Ground in the First Round of the FA Cup. Tonbridge won the Kent Senior Cup in 1975 while managed by former World Cup winner George Cohen.
Financial troubles hit the club and they went into voluntary liquidation in 1976. Re-formed as Tonbridge Angels FC they were forced to drop a division, and the club lost its Angel Ground to development. Former Tonbridge, Arsenal and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Tony Burns took over as manager for the 1980–81 season with the club moving into its new Longmead Stadium.
The 1988–89 season saw former Tottenham player Terry Naylor take charge, but he lasted just seven games, and the club finished bottom and suffered relegation to the Kent League. In 1990 Phil Emblen became manager, securing the Kent League title and promotion back to the Southern League in 1993.
League reorganisation in 2004 saw the Angels placed in the Isthmian League Premier Division. They were relegated in their first season but bounced back at the first attempt in 2006, defeating Dover Athletic 3-2 in the play-off final in front of a new record Longmead Stadium attendance of 1,863.
Under manager Tommy Warrilow Tonbridge finished in third place in the Premier Division in 2009, but lost in the play-offs to Carshalton Athletic. A year later they again reached the play-offs, and with victories over Harrow Borough and Lowestoft Town achieved promotion to the Conference South. Relegation back to the Isthmian League followed in 2014.
Steve McKimm took over as manager, and in 2016 Tonbridge finished fourth but lost to East Thurrock in the play-offs. A year later they missed the play-off places by a point, and last year finished 11th. After leading the table early in the season, Tonbridge dropped away, but have since climbed up to fifth in the table. Their recent run of eight games without defeat came to an end on Saturday, in a 1-0 loss at home to Merstham.
MEET THE SQUAD
Steve McKimm – Manager
Steve was appointed Tonbridge Angels manager in May 2014 from Sutton Utd. Steve played with distinction as a central midfielder with Hayes, Kingstonian, and Ebbsfleet Utd before joining Sutton in May 2008. He guided the Angels to a Bostik (Ryman) Premier play-off semi-final spot in 2015/16 and the Emirates FA Cup 4th qualifying round in 2016/17.
Jonny Henly – Goalkeeper
Jonny moved to the Angels in August 2017 from Hemel Hempstead Town and was runner-up for the Supporters Player of the Year Award 2017/18. His previous clubs include Reading, Aldershot, Oxford Utd, Welling Utd and Ipswich Town, and he has also represented Scotland at U19 and U21 levels.
Arthur Lee – Defender
Arthur signed from Hendon in July 2018, where he was club captain and led the side to the Bostik Premier play off final last season, only to lose narrowly to Dulwich Hamlet in a penalty shoot out.
Liam Smith – Defender
Liam is described as an exciting young prospect who broke into the Angels first team from the club’s successful youth system. Said to show great maturity, he enjoys attacking down the flank when operating at full back.
Jack Parter – Defender
Jack was one of Manager Steve McKimm’s first signings in September 2017, a re-signing for the Angels after trying out with Welling in the National South. He is an ever present in their 1st team squad and landed in Kent’s “team of the week” last week.
James Folkes – Defender
James returned to the Angels in June 2018 where, before a spell with Grays Athletic, he made 128 appearances over three years. He is a popular and versatile player who can operate in defence or midfield.
Craig Stone – Defender
Craig is an experienced player who can operate at full-back or in central defence. He moved to Angels in July 2017 from National League South side Eastbourne Borough, having previously been with Gillingham, Ebbsfleet Utd, Maidstone Utd and Dover Athletic.
Sonny Miles – Defender
Sonny came through the Angels youth system and captained the side with distinction for much of 2017/18 due to long-term injury to skipper Tom Parkinson. Said to be capable of scoring vital goals at set pieces, he spent one season away from his mentor club with local rivals Maidstone Utd.
Tom Parkinson – Midfielder/Captain
One of Angels longest continuously serving 1st team players, Tom joined from Leatherhead in June 2014. He is usually employed in the heart of midfield but equally capable of performing in central defence. Tom was appointed 1st team captain in 2016/17 but unfortunately was out for much of last season with a broken leg. He has previously played for Maidstone Utd and Ramsgate.
Jared Small – Midfielder
Jared impressed the Angels when playing against them for Harlow in 2017/18, and consequently signed in June 2018. As well as Harlow Town, Jared has previously played at Brentwood Town and Enfield Town.
Joe Turner – Midfielder
Joe is a talented left-sided player who joined the Angels in August 2017 from Kingstonian. He enjoys playing just behind the strikers or as a wideman. Joe swept the board at last season’s player awards evening, winning Manager’s Player of the Year, Player’s Player of the Year, and Supporter’s Player of the Year which says everything about his value to the Angels.
D’Sean Theobalds – Midfielder
D’Sean is described as a playmaker who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, but equally capable of taking up great positions off the ball. He signed from Leatherhead on Christmas Eve 2018, and previously played for Aylesbury United, Redbridge and Barkingside.
Adem Ramadan – Midfielder
Adem first came to Angel’s notice when he played for Phoenix Sports against them in a FA Trophy tie two seasons ago. Adem is now back to full fitness following a major groin operation that put him out of the game for 18 months and is valued by the club as a lightning quick winger.
Tom Beere – Midfielder
Tom joined the AFC Wimbledon academy after a short spell at Millwall, having left Fisher Athletic when he was 15. Now 24, Tom has made 26 appearances for the Angels this term and returned a miserly 1 goal scored back in August.
Alex Read – Forward
Alex arrived at Longmead in June 2018 from Harlow Town with an outstanding pedigree of 178 goals in 278 appearances for the Hawks. But goalscoring is not the only part of his game, and he is valued for his ability to hold up the ball during a forward push.
Chinedu McKenzie – Forward
Chinedu joined the Angels in January 2019 from Haringey Borough where he was part of the successful squad that reached the 1st Round proper of the 2018/19 FA Cup.
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.
SPONSOR A LEWES FC PLAYER
It costs only ÂŁ50 to sponsor a player or manager for home or away Kit. ÂŁ25 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.
TODAY’S TEAMS
LEWES
| LEWIS CAREY | 1 |
| MOHAMED DIALLO | 2 |
| HENRI WILDER | 3 |
| JAMES HAMMOND | 4 |
| FRANKIE CHAPPELL © | 5 |
| STACEY FREEMAN | 6 |
| OMARR LAWSON | 7 |
| MICHAEL DOME-BEMWIN | 8 |
| LUKE BLEWDEN | 9 |
| BEN POPE | 10 |
| GEORGE TUSON-FIRTH | 11 |
| THOMAS DAY | 12 |
| OLAJUWON ADEYEMO | 14 |
| DAYSHONNE GOLDING | 15 |
| KIERON PAMMENT | 16 |
| CALLUM OVERTON | 17 |
TONBRIDGE ANGELS
| 1 | JONATHAN HENLY |
| 2 | JAMES FOLKES |
| 3 | JACK PARTER |
| 4 | THOMAS BEERE |
| 5 | SONNY MILES |
| 6 | ARTHUR LEE |
| 7 | ADEM RAMADEN |
| 8 | TOM PARKINSON |
| 9 | ALEX READ |
| 10 | TOM DERRY |
| 11 | JOE TURNER |
| 12 | D’SEAN THEOBALDS |
| 14 | CRAIG STONE |
| 15 | LIAM SMITH |
| 16 | JOSHUA STIRMAN |
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
| OPPONENTS | H/A | DATE |
| Whitehawk | H | Sat 2nd Mar, 3pm |
| Corinthian-Casuals | A | Tues 5th Mar, 7:45pm |
| Folkestone Invicta | A | Sat 9th Mar, 3pm |
Click here for a full fixture list
Click here for full season stats
CREDITS AND LEGAL
The Bostik League strongly support recent FA statements that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly, any form of discriminatory abuse, whether it be based on race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, faith, age, ability 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)
Lewes 2000 FC Limited. Registered in England and Wales with Company Registration Number 03790979.
Honorary President Terry Parris
Chairman Stuart Fuller
Directors
Charlie Dobres, Eddie Ramsden, Stuart Fuller, John Peel, Barry Collins, Ed Briggs, Jon Ruben, Roger Warner, Galia Orme
Club Secretary Barry Collins
Youth Secretary Kevin Brook
Operations Manager Duncan Thompson
Life Members
Mr and Mrs Brook, Vic Blunt, Pat Dartnell, Gary Elphick, Gordon Fowlie, Peter Hiscox, 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
Manager Darren Freeman
Assistant Manager Ross Standen
First Team Coach Tony Coade
Physiotherapists Paul Baskin & Xavier Smith
Development Squad Manager Steve Eke
Development Squad coach Luke Carter
Development Squad/Under-18s sports therapist Chris Dumbrell
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 Duncan Thompson
Progcast Designer Barry Collins
Club Photographer James Boyes