Welcome to The Dripping Pan for our BetVictor Isthmian Premier League game with Potters Bar Town. Here is your complimentary matchday programme, which we call the Progcast.

In today’s issue:

• Live match updates
• Darren from the Dugout
• Chairman’s Notes
• Recent match review
• Brook’s brainteasers
• Today’s opponents: Potters Bar Town
• Sponsor your favourite player
• Stodgebusters on Tour

LIVE MATCH UPDATES

You can get full updates from today’s game, including team line-ups, goals and substitutons, in the panel below. It will automatically update throughout the game. Data supplied by FootballWebPages.

DARREN FROM THE DUGOUT

Hear Darren’s thoughts on today’s game by clicking the Play button below (apologies for the croaky interviewer voice and the mistake at the beginning – it was Wednesday night, not Tuesday):

CHAIRMAN’S NOTES

Good afternoon and welcome back to the Dripping Pan. I’d like to welcome our visitors from Potters Bar Town and hope they enjoy our East Sussex hospitality and a safe journey home.

A trip to the United States meant I missed the game on Wednesday against Leatherhead and today’s Isthmian Premier League game but through the wonders of technology I was able to keep up with events against Leatherhead, whilst our new software used for tracking our players movements means that I can watch a detailed recording of the game within a few hours of the final whistle. Whilst it isn’t as good as being at The Pan, technology is certainly making it much easier to follow The Rooks from thousands of miles away!

And what a game it turned out to be with drama from almost the first minute to the last kick. Penalty shoot outs are always brilliant climaxes to game except if you are supporting one of the teams involved.  I think we have seen enough of Leatherhead for the time being!

Wednesday’s result means that next Saturday we face Bowers & Pitsea for the second time in just over a month and I know that Darren and his team will be desperate to avenge the poor defeat we suffered here in August to them. 

Cup football does bring the hope that this year will be our year but our bread and butter is still the league and we need to continue to build points up early in the season. Our 4-1 at Leatherhead two weeks ago flattered the home side and proved what we can do when we are in the mood.  We need to be in that mood a lot more often if we are to be among the challengers this season.

Don’t forget that you can now sponsor your favourite player – all of the proceeds are collected by the Supporters Club and end up in the club’s funds. See David Arnold for more details today.  You will also see a couple of new beers in the Rook Inn today. Steve Keegan is keen to rotate our guest ales each month, choosing local brewers such as Gun or the excellent Franklin.  So help support not only the club but also these local brewers by buying a pint today.

Good luck to our Women’s team who head to Coventry United tomorrow in the FA Women’s Championship, still unbeaten after three games.

Get behind the team and Come On You Rooks!

Stuart

WHY WE’RE BACKING GAMBLING WITH LIVES

Lewes FC endorses the charity Gambling with Lives and will be wearing its logo on our men’s first team shirt front until the end of October.

“Gambling with Lives was set up by the families and friends of young men who have taken their own lives as a direct result of gambling. These were all very normal, bright, popular and happy young men who had great futures ahead of them … gambling was their only problem.

​Their deaths were very sudden – “out of the blue” with no warning. They were not the result of massive gambling debts, rather what gambling had done to their hearts and their heads.

​No one knows how many deaths are related to gambling each year; but research indicates that are between 250 and 650 gambling related suicides every year in the UK … a minimum of one every working day.

​Gambling with Lives aims to support families who have been bereaved by gambling related suicides; and to raise awareness amongst gamblers, their families and friends, and health professionals of the dangerous effects of gambling on mental health and the high suicide risk.”

Gambling with Lives receives no funding from the gambling industry – directly or indirectly.

Charles Ritchie, one of the founders of Gambling with Lives, said “Lewes FC are a very special club whose principles and values extend way beyond the football field. We are delighted that they will be wearing our logo and look forward to working with them to help to change football’s relationship with gambling.”

Since the Gambling Act 2005 came into force, gambling companies have been able to advertise across all media in Great Britain.  Before that, few if any football clubs carried gambling advertising on their shirts and no league was sponsored by a gambling company.  Gambling wasn’t being promoted to young and vulnerable people through football to any great extent.

Fifteen years on, gambling advertising is everywhere in football.

There are 44 teams in the top two divisions of men’s football, the Premier League and the Championship.  Of these, 27 have a gambling company on their shirt front.  Most leagues throughout the pyramid, and extending far into non-league football, have a gambling company as their lead sponsor. 

In 2004 a young person watching football saw little advertising for gambling.

In 2019 a young person watching football sees advertising for gambling all the time.

Further, even someone playing a football video game such as FIFA sees gambling advertising on the fronts of the shirts in the game all the time.

The current situation encourages young people to think of betting on football, and betting in general, as normal, harmless, fun.  If there was a problem with it then why would their heroes be wearing shirts encouraging them to do it?  Why would that be allowed?

Of course, we all know that in fact it isn’t harmless.  The combination of betting adverts being plastered all over football and immediate access to online betting through smartphones is enormously powerful.  (Would the betting companies bid more than anyone else for clubs’ shirt fronts if it wasn’t?)

The consequences can be severe:

• Suicide rates in problem and at-risk gamblers are far higher than in the general population.  A recently-published study showed that 5% of problem gamblers attempted suicide in the last year – 8 times the rate for the general population. 
• International studies indicate that between 5% and 10% of all suicides are gambling related.        
• A recent Swedish study found that suicide rates increased 15-fold for people diagnosed with a gambling disorder.

We also note that, per the most recent Gambling Commission study:

• Over the past 12 months, 39% of 11-16 year olds have spent their own money on gambling
• Approximately 450,000 11-16 year olds in the UK gamble every week, spending around 60% of their pocket money on gambling
• Around 150,000 11-16 year olds are already classified as “problem” or “at risk” gamblers.

Across the wider population around two million people are problem or at-risk gamblers, and PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that around 60% of betting companies’ online profits come from such gamblers.

We in football have a collective duty of care to all fans, and particularly to young and vulnerable people.  Can we really say hand on heart that we’re all living up to that duty of care right now?  None of us intended that we should be in our current predicament, but here we are.  And it’s on us to deal with it.

We think that in the immediate term the existing regulation should be applied more effectively; and that the FA should extend its safeguarding and mental health focus to cover gambling advertising more explicitly and more extensively.

Beyond that, we all need to ask ourselves whether the football world was better or worse when there was no gambling advertising in it.  And if we think it was better, what is the quickest and most effective route back to that state?

RECENT MATCH REVIEW

Wednesday’s FA Cup replay with Leatherhead was full of drama. A 90th minute was-it-wasn’t-it equaliser, a red card and a penalty shoot-out are among the highlights you can see in this video from our friends at Your Instant Replay.

BROOK’S BRAINTEASERS

Our cardigan-clad Youth Sec is back with ten more questions to test your Rooks knowledge. When you’ve answered all the questions, click Submit to find out how many you’ve got right.

TODAY’S OPPONENTS: POTTERS BAR TOWN

The club were founded in 1960 as Mount Grace Old Scholars, changing to simply Mount Grace in 1984, and known as Potters Bar Town FC since 1991.

They began life in the Barnet & District League, which merged with the Finchley & District League to form the North London Combination in 1965. Winning the league in 1968 took the club into the Hertfordshire County League. Two promotions took them to the Premier Division in 1974. Relegation in 1979 was swiftly followed by promotion again in 1982.

In 1991 they won the won the Hertfordshire Senior County League and moved up the South Midlands League Premier Division and changed their name to Potters Bar Town. In 1997 the club won the championship on goal difference. In the following season, the club were runners-up in the newly formed Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division North and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Vase.

In 2005 Potters Bar won the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Championship (along with the Premier Division Cup) and promotion to Division One East of the Southern League. They moved sideways to the Isthmian League Division One North a year later before being placed in the Southern League (Division One Central) for the 2013/14 season.

The season before last Potters Bar were put back once again into the Isthmian League Division One North, finishing runners-up to secure automatic promotion to the Premier Division. Last season they finished 16th, and they are currently tenth in the table with two wins, two draws and two defeats after six games.

MEET THE SQUAD

Matt Nolan

Matt has represented Enfield Town, Royston, Broxbourne Borough, Chesham United, Cuffley, Great Wakering Rovers and Ware. Matt finished off last season as Enfield’s first choice keeper, keeping 4 clean sheets in 13 games.

George Craddock

24 years old, George spent part of last season at league rivals Bishops Stortford. A talented midfielder, George has had spells at Northampton Town, Margate, East Thurrock, Heybridge Swifts, Welling Canvey Island and Wingate & Finchley.

George Quarrington-Carter

Joining the Scholars from Enfield Town, George Quarrington-Carter is a very promising centre back who came through the ranks as part of the Broxbourne Borough youth set-up before joining Enfield last season.

Yiannis Constantinou

The impressive young midfielder joined us from Staines Town having previously played for West Ham under 18s the two seasons before.

Thomas Gogo

Thomas is a pacy winger who spent 11 years at the West Ham Academy reaching U23 level. Following a short spell at Redbridge he went on to play for Crawley Town U23s for a season. Last season saw him start at Staines Town picking up a number of goals before moving to Beaconsfield Town in the new year after impressing against them for Staines.

Jack Humphrey

Starting in the youth ranks of Leyton Orient, Jack, who can play centre back or left back has a fair amount of experience throughout different leagues in the non-league pyramid. His latest spell saw him play at league rivals Wingate & Finchley.

Imedd Kartita

A threatening attacking midfielder, Imedd joins from Hanwell Town, having previously played for Egham Town, Ware, Enfield Town and Sporting Bengal. At youth level he represented both Charlton Athletic and West Ham United.

Ryan Young

Another tricky winger, Ryan plyed his trade as a youngster at Queens Park Rangers up until U18 level and joins us from Aylesbury playing a lrage part in their season. He has previously played for Stolfold, Berkhamsted and Dunstable Town.

Prince Mbengui

Prince, a central midfielder, joins us from his second spell at Uxbridge where he finished off last year having started the season at Hendon. Outside of Uxbridge and Hendon, Prince has also played for Hillingdon Borough and Staines Town.

Andy Lomas

A full back who has now been with us for a couple of seasons and  picked up player of the season in our promotion year. Previously played at Harrow Borough and Northwood.

James Budden

A strong centre back who has been a scholar for two years having previously played for Hitchin, Northwood, Leverstock Green, Aylesbury and Hemel Hempstead.

Stefan Powell

An experienced and versatile player who joined us last season and has turned out for Beaconsfield Town, Arlesey Town, Bedford Town among others. As a youth he featured for MK Dons at U18 level.

Brad Sach

Brad, a striker joined us last season from Boreham Wood.

Keagan Cole

An attacking minded player who joined us last season from Hendon where he made an impressive 100 appearances considering his age.

Ben Ward – Cochrane

A forward who joined the club for a second spell during last season after being a part of the promotion winning side in 2017/18. Has experience at Hertford Town, Chalfont St. Peter among others.

Josh Hutchinson

A striker who re-joined for the scholars last season after a spell away at Wealdstone. Put 28 in the net in the 14/15 season and has come back for some more.

George Nicholas

A midfielder with a great deal of experience who joined us two seasons ago. Has turned out for Notts County, Wealdstone, Northwood and Harrow Borough.

Chris Doyle

The longest serving player in the squad who has made over 300 appearances for the club. The fullback has many years of experience and was previously at Broxbourne Borough before arriving at the Pakex.

Joakim Ehui

The experienced winger has turned out for Potters Bar in the past two seasons. His other clubs include Chalfont St. Peter, Aylesbury, Hayes & Yeading, Northwood, Harlow Town, Harrow Borough and St. Albans City.

Will Wambeek

Another player returning to the Scholars this year having spent the season away turning out for Hanwell Town and Chesham United. The defender has also played for Egham Town and Uxbridge.

Lee O’Leary

Captain before stepping up as joint player manager and now takes the manager’s role alone. Was a part of Bar’s promotion season as well as turning out for Hendon, Canvey Island, Kingstonian and Hanwell Town.

SPONSOR YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYER

The Supporters Club are once again selling player and management sponsorship to raise money for the club. Grab your player before your favourite goes!

Costs are as follows: Home Kit – £75. Away Kit – £75. Training Kit – £25. Boots £25.

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

Thanks to the following sponsors who’ve signed up so far!

DARREN FREEMAN

HOME: REG FREEMAN

JORDY MONGOY

HOME: SAM & JOE BARKER

TOM DAY

HOME: STUART ELMER

FRANKIE CHAPPELL

HOME: SUSIE ARLETT

JAMES HAMMOND

HOME: STUART FULLER

AWAY: STUART FULLER

MICHAEL DOME-BEMWIN

HOME:  TONY HARMAN &YEOVIL JOHN

AWAY: YEOVIL JOHN & TONY HARMAN

STODGEBUSTERS ON TOUR

The burger brigade make a return trip to Leatherhead

After last week’s comprehensive drubbing of the Tanners hopes were high as the Stodgebusters left Lewes for a return visit to Fetcham Grove. Our 4-1 league victory had given us a great deal of optimism for another victory.

Turnstile Alan had offered to drive and already had Roly on board before Gary the Badge and PJ were picked up in Lewes. Malcolm was found standing on a street corner in Brighton so when he squeezed himself in we were on our way. We had left Lewes around 11.30 so we arrived in Leatherhead with much time to spare. The car was parked by the ground and then it was a stroll into town to the Sunshine Cafe for lunch. We had been there the previous week and the food and service had been excellent. As we walked in it became obvious that all the tables were occupied. What to do? Why hadn’t we booked a table? We decided to dine Al Fresco and moved a couple of tables around outside to accommodate us.

While we were waiting for our food to arrive Alan struck up a conversation with two elderly ladies at an adjoining table. They didn’t seem to be very sociable much to our amusement as Alan prattled on. Thankfully for the ladies our food soon arrived and very good it was as well. An omelette, a roast beef dinner and a selection of breakfasts were polished off by the hungry Stodgebusters. Always good to find a cafe that does a decent cup of tea as well. We don’t like wishy washy tea! 

After lunch it was a walk back to the ground and to check out the team news. It seemed we had signed Peter Gregory who had played for us before back in 2012 but nobody we spoke to could remember him. Was that good or bad we asked ourselves? What was a bit worrying was the fact that Leatherhead had signed three players during the week. When the game kicked off it soon became obvious that was a different home side to the one we had played the previous week. They were really up for the game and Lewes were struggling to put anything together. Their giant number 6 who had scored a comical own goal the previous week buried two headers and things were not looking good. Our hopes of beating Manchester City at Wembley in the Final looked to be in tatters. 

After some encouragement from Darren at half time things soon started to change for the better. Kayne Diedrick-Roberts soon pulled a goal back with a strike that went straight through the keeper who should have done much better. In fact four of the five Stodgebusters reckoned they could have saved it. Only Malcolm expressed a doubt that he could have got down quick enough to deal with it. Getting back up might have been an issue too!

It was game on and Lewes were unrecognisable from the team that were so poor in the first half. Leatherhead seemed to be tiring and an equaliser looked inevitable. It came when the returning Alex Malins put a great ball in and Dayshonne swept it home with a glorious finish. Things started to get a bit fractious after that and a melee near the halfway line resulted in a few yellow cards being shown. For some reason the Leatherhead keeper thought he needed to become involved and raced 60 yards to join in the free-for-all and give the referee his opinion. What it had to do with him was a complete mystery although he’d had a lot to say for himself the whole game.

Once things settled down again Lewes were still well on top and Hammo cracked a shot against the post for the umpteenth time this season. It could have been a glorious winner but it’s back to the Pan on Wednesday instead to try and finish the job. 

It should be mentioned that it was great to see Alex Malins back in a Lewes shirt again and with injured players soon returning we can start looking upwards after a slow start to the season. 

Next up for the Stodgebusters? A nice trip to Brightlingsea Regent. 

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