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

In today’s issue:

• Live Match Updates
• Ross on the Record
• Help us fill the food bank this Christmas
• Chairman’s Notes
• Recent Match Review
• Brook’s Boxing Day Brainteasers
• Today’s opponents: Bognor Regis Town
• Is the traditional Boxing Day game being sold down the Amazon?
• Sponsor your favourite player
• Stodgebusters on Tour
• Thank you from Lewes FC

LIVE MATCH UPDATES

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

ROSS ON THE RECORD

Watch co-manager Ross Standen previewing the game:

HELP US FILL THE FOOD BANK THIS CHRISTMAS

We will be holding a collection for Lewes food banks during today’s game with Bognor Regis Town.

If you have any non-perishable food items left over from your Christmas hampers or simply want to help us stop people going hungry over the holiday period, then please drop off your donations in the Rook Inn before or during the game.

Over the past couple of seasons, we’ve sent more than 2,000 items to the food banks. Let’s try and smash that in one go this Christmas.

Thanks, as ever, for your generosity.

CHAIRMAN’S NOTES

Good afternoon and welcome to the Dripping Pan for this afternoon’s festive treat of football as we welcome our good friends from down the A27, Bognor Regis Town, to the Dripping Pan. I’d like to wish all of their fans, players, management and officials my personal festive greetings and hope they enjoy our hospitality off the field.

This is our last home game of the year and I’m sure that many of you won’t be too sad to see the back of 2019 when it comes to our results here at the Pan. Since 1^st January when we lost 3-0 here to Burgess Hill Town, we’ve won just four league games, drawn seven and lost nine. Thankfully our away form has been a lot better but it is really frustrating that we can’t seem to get it right here despite the excellent crowds and the backing you give the team. Let’s really try to make sure we end the year with win number five this afternoon.

We know that will be tough. The Rocks had a torrid start to the season, losing five of their first seven games but since then they have been one of the form sides in the division and their promotion credentials were on display for all to see two weeks ago when they put seven past a strong Cray Wanderers team.

Since we were last here we’ve progressed in the League Cup, beating Sevenoaks Town 2-0 with a stunning goal from Tegan Freeman, his first at a senior level for the club. Our team on that night featured a squad who were all under the age of 24 bar Frankie and Billy. In fact, we had five of our Under-18s squad out there, a huge achievement for the club. Some fans have asked why we are bothering with the tournament at all. This season it is mandatory for all Isthmian Premier Clubs to take part and we will head to Bracknell Town on the 7^th January with another young squad, with a place in the Quarter-Finals at stake. We will also be heading to Peacehaven & Telscombe in the second week of January in the Quarter-Final of the Sussex Senior Cup.

Ten days ago we headed to Merstham and came away with a convincing win in a strong performance topped off with a superb strike from Billy Medlock. Billy is getting back to match fitness game by game and that goal summed up why he is still one of the best strikers in the Non-Leagues.

Last Saturday the weather decimated the Isthmian League programme. Fortunately, we didn’t have a game but the likelihood would have been it would have been washed out like 80% of the other games were. I was asked a few questions why we didn’t have a game at all (and likewise for this Saturday). A few years ago when the leagues were reduced in number, we had four less games and that meant two free Saturdays. Rather than playing four games over Christmas this was reduced to two and each year we have a choice of playing on Boxing and New Year’s Day or the two Saturdays before and after Christmas. We’ve always gone with the former, partly through tradition but also because the Saturday before Christmas has notoriously had poor attendances as many fans have plans away from football (sacrilege I know!). I realise some can’t attend the Boxing Day game, especially with a lack of public transport but we as a club feel it is the best option.

Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the club this year. It’s been a rollercoaster, that’s for sure, but we exit the year in a stronger position on and off the pitch. However, we wouldn’t have any football if it wasn’t for the hard work and dedication of each and every volunteer we have at the club, so thank you from me and the rest of the Board of Directors.

Enjoy the game, Happy New Year and I hope to see as many of you as possible at Horsham next Wednesday.

Come on you Rooks!

Stuart

RECENT MATCH REVIEW

Merstham 2 vs Lewes 4, BetVictor Isthmian premier League, 14th December 2019

Our impressive away form continued at Merstham, where the Rooks were 2-0 up within 15 minutes and went on to dominate the game. Here are the match highlights from Your Instant Replay:

Here is Ross Standen’s reaction:

And here’s a gallery of James Boyes’ brilliant photos from the game:

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BROOK’S BOXING DAY BRAINTEASERS

Kev Brook returns with a Boxing Day-themed set of questions. Answer each question and then check how many you’ve got right by pressing the Finish button at the end of the quiz. No Googling!

TODAY’S OPPONENTS: BOGNOR REGIS TOWN

Founded in 1883, Bognor joined the West Sussex league in 1896, winning the title five years in a row between 1921 and 1925, switching to the Brighton and Hove District League in 1926, and the Sussex County League a year later, where they remained until 1972. They won the County League in 1949 and the Sussex Senior Cup in 1955 and 1956.

Relegated to Division Two in 1969, they bounced back at the first attempt, and went on to win the County League the following season which was rewarded with a step up to the Southern Football League. In 1972, Bognor reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, losing away to Colchester United.

In 1976, former full-back Jack Pearce became manager at just 26, a position he held till 2007 (and again briefly thereafter). They finished Southern League Southern Division runners-up in 1981, switching to the Isthmian League for the following season, and winning promotion from Division One at the first attempt as runners-up. They retained the Sussex Senior Cup five years in a row from 1980 to 1984, and won the cup again in 1987 (when they also won the Isthmian League Cup).

In 1984 Bognor Regis beat a Swansea City side including Dean Saunders and seven Welsh internationals in a first round FA Cup replay, drawing 1-1 in the first tie, and winning the replay at Nyewood Lane 3-1 in front of a record crowd of 3,642. The cup run came to an end at Reading in the second round. Bognor repeated the feat of reaching the FA Cup second round the following year, losing at Gillingham. In 1988 they beat Football League opposition, defeating Exeter City 2-1 before losing to Cambridge United. And in 1995 they reached the second round of the FA Cup for a fourth time, losing 4–0 at Peterborough United.

In 1993 they finished bottom of the Premier Division, and were relegated to Division One, gaining promotion back to the Isthmian League Premier Division in 2003. The following season, a tenth place finish was enough to claim a place in the newly-formed Conference South. They remained in this league for five seasons, with the ninth-place finish in 2005 being the highest they achieved.

They were relegated in 2009, and again the following season. They won promotion back to the Isthmian League Premier Division in 2012, beating Dulwich Hamlet in the play-off final. They finished third in 2014, and missed the Premier Division title by one point in 2016, losing in the play-offs on both occasions. They did however enjoy their best ever run in the FA Trophy in 2016, reaching the semi-finals before losing to Grimsby Town.

In 2017 they finished runners-up for the second season running, but this time they triumphed in the play-offs, beating Wingate & Finchley in the semi-final and Dulwich Hamlet 2-1 in the final in front of a crowd of almost 3,500, to win promotion to the National League South. However, they finished bottom in 2018.

Last season they finished 14th, but won the Sussex Senior Cup for the first time in 32 years, defeating Burgess Hill Town in the final. They currently lie seventh in the table.

MEET THE SQUAD

Jack Pearce – Manager

Mr Bognor Regis FC, Jack is now in his 50th year with the club after joining as a player from Portsmouth. Jack has also been Player-Manager, Chairman and is now General/Team Manager/Vice Chairman of the club including responsibility for team matters.  He is also a highly respected FA Councillor of many years standing and was appointed to the Main Board of the FA last year.

Amadou Tangera – Goalkeeper

Amadou is an experienced ‘keeper from the Ivory Coast, formerly with Kingstonian, Cheshunt, Merstham and Dulwich Hamlet.

Ashton Leigh – Defender

Ash joined Bognor last season from Wessex League side Baffins Milton Rovers, and has impressed with his calm, determined defensive play.

Joe Hancott – Defender

Joe is an assured full-back on loan from Fratton Park who became Portsmouth FC’s youngest ever first-team player a couple of years ago.

James Crane – Defender

James played for Bognor for nine years before leaving to give Worthing a lift last season, returning to Nyewood Lane in the summer. He has had an interesting career having played for Arundel, Heart of Midlothian, Reading, and Cypriot sides Famagusta and AEK Larnaca.

Ben Clark-Eden – Defender

Ben is a young central defender, currently on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion and hoping to flower at Nyewood Lane.

Joe Dandy – Defender

Joe is another loanee from Portsmouth this season and who we might call a stylish defender. Despite his young age Joe is described as calm yet determined in the tackle.

Joe Cook – Defender

Joe is a central defender who has served up at Havant &Waterlooville and Winchester City amongst his former clubs.

Eddie Wakley – Defender

Eddie is a recent signing from Moneyfields. He began his career at Portsmouth before moving on to Gosport Borough and Whitehawk.

Keaton Wood – Defender

Joined Bognor in early 2018 from Dartford, Keaton failed to pull up any trees when he began his career with Millwall before joining the Darts. He has represented the England “C” team and can play anywhere in defence.

Harvey Whyte – Defender/Midfielder   

Tommy is the son of 1980’s Rock’s favourite Dallas Whyte. He began as a winger but is now an accomplished attacking midfielder and Club captain.

Tommy Leigh – Midfielder

Tommy followed his brother Ashton this season from Baffins Milton Rovers and marked his debut with a goal in pre-season against Portsmouth. Both Tommy and Ashton are the sons of former Rocks’ favourite Steve Leigh.

Victor Hensel – Midfielder

Brazilian by birth but with Italian nationality, Victor joined the Rocks recently from US side Miami Dade. He has also played in Brazil for Sao Paulo Juniors and Bragantino.

Charlie Williamson – Midfielder

Previously with Pagham and Worthing, Charlie joined Bognor in the summer and is their chief utility player.

Tommy Scutt – Midfielder

Tommy is a young player who began his career at Portsmouth before joining the Rocks in 2017.

Doug Tuck – Midfielder

Doug spent two years at Brighton before joining the Rocks six years ago. Though small of stature Doug has scored some valuable goals for his team and recently made his 300^th appearance for the club.

Dan Smith – Forward

Dan featured in Portsmouth’s first team squad and joined the Rocks on loan last season. He moved to Cork City before signing permanently for the club this season.

Bradley Lethbridge – Forward

Brad scored a number of impressive goals last season as a hard running front player on loan from Portsmouth.

Mason Walsh – Forward

Mason started his career with AFC Bournemouth. He has represented a string of clubs including last season for Chattanooga FC in the USA and has just returned to the club

Arron Hopkinson – Forward

A pacy winger who enjoyed a successful time at Bognor some five years ago and has now returned for a second stint. Arron began his career in the National Conference for us, and also played for Brighon & Hove Albion, Farnborough, Merstham, and Kingstonian.

IS THE TRADITIONAL BOXING DAY GAME BEING SOLD DOWN THE AMAZON?

Stuart Fuller fears for the Non-League fixtures pitted against Amazon’s Premier League onslaught

On the two days after Christmas, Amazon Prime will once again take over the screening of the Premier League games, offering back-to-back games for ten solid hours on Boxing Day. This is their second set of games they will be screening this season, having shown the midweek round of matches a few weeks ago as part of the deal they won back in 2018 for approximately £90 million for the right to screen 20 games per season.

Amazon, and their streaming rivals Netflix, have already raised the bar in football coverage with their fly-on-the-wall documentaries such as All or Nothing (Manchester City), Take Us Home (Leeds United) and Inside Borussia (Borussia Dortmund), so it was a logical step to bid for the right to screen games as well. They have promised to revolutionise the viewing experience for fans as they move into live streaming for the first time.

The key to their success is being able to increase the number of subscribers to their Prime service. It is certainly a compelling offer, starting from just £7.99 per month that allows subscribers to access the live games on any device in addition to their whole catalogue of movies and TV shows, a music library of over 40 million songs and the ability to get next-day delivery on hundreds of thousands of items from their online marketplace. Compared to the cost of accessing Sky Sports it is a bargain, but what does the future hold for them?

There was some criticism for their first round of games in early December, ranging from the quality of the studio pundits to difficulties accessing the games, especially when viewers switched between different streams. However, there can be no denying that Amazon have the technology and deep pockets to develop their offering. I’m sure Netflix, Apple and Facebook will be looking on with interest at the reviews and more importantly, viewing figures, for these games with an eye on the next round of bidding for the TV packages due to start in 2020.

Whilst the thought of watching any one of the six 3pm games on Boxing Day may be appealing to many, especially for those games where tickets are scarce, for Non-League clubs who hope to see bumper crowds over the festive period, it is another reason for fans not to come to games. Many clubs rely on the big crowds they get from local derbies over Christmas and the money they spend in the ground for the rest of the season. With little or no public transport, many Premier League fans choose to go and support their local team but with every game being shown live on Boxing Day (plus Wolves v Man City on the 27th), how many may decide to stay at home in front of the TV?

Indirectly some of the £90 million paid by Amazon will make its way down into the Non-League game through the likes of the Football Foundation and FA Facilities Fund, but it flows very slowly and the criteria to access it is strenuous to say the least.

Let’s hope that this afternoon our game will be exciting enough not to have you reaching for your phone and watching the other games via the Amazon app. Anyone caught doing so will be forced to attend a special training session, run by Codge, on Monday night!

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!

NATHAN STROOMBERG-CLARKE

HOME: THE SOUL STEPPERS

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

We’re back on the road with the boys who don’t like a salad garnish, but love an away win

It would be fair to say that our away performances have been much better than our games at the Pan so far this season. Recent wins at Cheshunt, Bishop’s Stortford and Chichester in the Sussex Senior Cup meant the Stodgebusters were in a very hopeful mood travelling to a struggling Merstham. Even the normally pessimistic Gary the Badge was confident of a comfortable 3-0 win.

There were two notable absentees from our group for this one with Malcolm serving customers with Christmas stamps and struggling knee deep in parcels at Haywards Heath Post Office. Also missing was Turnstile Alan and his famous yellow coat. How anybody would want a pre-Christmas break in Los Angeles when a trip to Merstham was on offer was beyond us. Thankfully, Steve Rook joined us so a Group Save ticket was purchased for the train journey at £9.50 each which seemed very reasonable. 

PJ, Gary and Steve met at Lewes Station to catch the 11.48 train and Steve nearly missed it after a trip to the Gents took longer than expected. He dashed on board just as the doors closed. We were very surprised to find plenty of seats available which was rather unusual. We soon found Roly and sat back to enjoy the journey to Gatwick and discuss how many we were going to win by. After catching another train to Merstham we arrived just after 1pm ready for lunch. 

The Quality Cafe is situated right outside the station and looked just the job. We hadn’t been there before but it didn’t disappoint. Two omelettes, a gammon eggs and chips and a Full English with tea. Lovely! We had plenty of time to kill so another round of teas and coffees were ordered before the ten-minute stroll to the ground. 

When we arrived the usual gaggle of travelling Rooks were there to have a chat with. Once again stalwart Lewes supporter Alec had put on his usual bet for Lewes to win 4-1. Sadly that would come back to haunt him later on! It should be said that bet had come in once before this season at Leatherhead. 

We were gifted an early penalty when Stefan was clipped while running away from goal by a defender. It was a ridiculous challenge as he was going nowhere. Despite the gamesmanship from a Merstham player continually shouting “He’s missed this!” like a stuck record, up stepped Billy to place the ball in the corner. We were up and running.  (Younger readers: If you don’t know what a record is then ask someone over 40).

A few minutes later it got even better as Stefan got on the end of a cross to knock in the second. Merstham rallied a bit and pulled one back but we still felt confident. Dayshonne rattled in a third with a great strike that the keeper got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. 3-1 at half time and things were looking good. 

As we changed ends we noticed that it didn’t seem quite so cold behind the goal. We had no idea why that should be as it had been perishing in the first half. The second half was only a few minutes old when Billy scored one of the goals of this or any other season. He shrugged off a 6 foot plus defender and lashed the ball home past a bewildered keeper from the corner of the penalty box. The keeper barely moved as it flew past him and in off the underside of the bar. WOW! It was such a shame there was only a crowd of 189 to see it. If Alan Shearer had seen it on Match of the Day I’m sure he would have nominated it as Goal of the Month! 

The rest of the game passed by with little incident apart from Alec getting more excited about his prospective £250 winnings. Sadly for him with just a couple of minutes to go Merstham scored one of the scruffiest deflected goals you will ever see to make it 4-2 and his bet went up in smoke. We were all disappointed as we were sure that Alec would have bought his mates a drink at Horsham on New Year’s Day. 

With the final whistle blowing shortly afterwards we gave the team a generous round of applause before making our way back to the station. The last few minutes of the game had become very niggly with lots of stoppages and a few dodgy tackles flying in. 

The trip home via Redhill and Gatwick went perfectly and we even got a seat when our train pulled in at Gatwick. We made it back to Lewes at 6.20 with no hold ups.

Our next away jaunt will be Horsham on New Year’s Day with no trains running. With a bit of luck Turnstile Alan might be back to drive us there. 

Having a bet Alec? How about Lewes to win 4-1?

THANK YOU FROM LEWES FC

Football without volunteers isn’t possible, so thank you to all of the following who help make our match days so special (if your name is missing drop JP a line  – john@lewesfc.com)

• Adam Haddington
• Aiden Hother
• Alan Sayers
• Angela Brinkhurst
• Ash Head
• Barbara Arnold
• Barry Collins
• Barry Haffenden
• Brian Ashdown
• Cameron Lawrence
• Caspar Jayasekera
• Charlie Carter
• Charlie Dobres
• Charlie Harry
• Chunky
• Clive Burgess
• Craig Stevens
• Dale Hurley
• Dan O’Rourke
• Dave Evans
• Dave Scott
• David Arnold
• Duncan Thompson
• Earthquake
• Ed Briggs
• Ed Ramsden
• El Irvine
• Ethel Treagus
• Galia Omre
• Gary Blaber
• Gary Headland
• Glenda Thomas
• Greg Cross
• Jacob Baitup
• Jake Dance
• Jake LeGrange
• James Boyes
• Jane Roberts
• Jason Foulkes
• Jim McHugh
• Joe Carter
• Joe Gander
• John Ellis
• John Peel
• Jon Barmby
• Jon Carroll
• Jon Ruben
• Jonny Dew
• Karen Dobres
• Katie Van
• Katy Muddyman
• Keith Rapley
• Kelly Newton
• Kev Brook
• Kim Sutton
• Lauren Derosa
• Lewis Singleton
• Loz Farmer
• Marcus Lee
• Megan Fellows
• Mei Evans
• Michelle Bowie-Krige
• Nick Geall
• Pamela Coppola
• Paul Baskin
• Paul Brinkhurst
• Paul Carter
• Paul Johnson
• Paul Sheppard
• Peter Steer
• Phil Howe
• Poppy Sinclair
• Richard Irvine
• Robin Mannering
• Roger Feltham
• Roger Warner
• Scott Webb
• Sharon Stanley-Laker
• Sheila Cullin
• Simon Ingram
• Simon O’Beirne
• Skullduggery
• St Nic’s Day Service
• Steve Keegan
• Stuart Carruthers
• Stuart Fuller
• Terry Parris
• Tom Harper
• Treacle
• Trevor Ford
  

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