Welcome to The Dripping Pan for our BetVictor Isthmian Premier League game with Enfield Town. Here is your complimentary matchday programme, which we call the Progcast.
In today’s issue:
- Live Match Updates
- Boss Talk
- Chairman’s Notes
- Recent Match Review
- Remembering Joe Arnold
- Today’s Opponents: Kingstonian
- Sponsor Your Favourite Player
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.
BOSS TALK
Hugo Langton gives Barry Collins his thoughts ahead of today’s game. Click the play button below to hear the interview:
CHAIRMAN’S NOTES
Good afternoon and welcome back to The Dripping Pan for this afternoon’s game against Kingstonian. I’d like to welcome their fans, players, management and officials and hope that their journey back to South West London is problem-free.
It’s been a challenging couple of weeks for the club both on and off the pitch. Our performances have vastly improved in the past few weeks, with two consecutive draws and a good performance last time here against Bognor Regis Town. The management team have been working tirelessly in trying to bring new players into the squad and we have started to see the benefit from that.
Our performances in the last few games have been more solid and we’ve fought hard for every ball. We’ve come away from tough away trips at Wingate & Finchley and Enfield Town disappointed we’ve only managed to draw. That’s a marked improvement and certainly one that was necessary in our fight for Premier League survival. At the same time as we have picked up points then so, too, have some of our rivals at the bottom which means that we come into today’s game with seven teams separated by just four points. There’s nine games left after today and every one of them will be a cup final for us. We still have to play Bishop’s Stortford and Merstham here which will be real six-pointers!
The sad news this week is that I reluctantly accepted the resignations of Ross Standen and Tony Coade. Both have been at the club for 4 ½ years, coming in with Darren when he took over in October 2015. They both stepped into the management position when Darren stepped down in October last year and threw everything they had into trying to make the job a success. They were both involved in the decision to bring in Hugo to manage the team but have now decided to step down from their roles. I will miss them hugely both on the touchline and as friends, but I respect their decision and wish them the very best for the future.
Alongside Hugo in the dugout for the foreseeable future will be Dale Hurley who has done such a fantastic job with the Under-18s for the past couple of seasons. On Monday night they beat Wealdstone on penalties in the Isthmian Youth Cup to set up a tie against Dorking Wanderers in a few week’s time. Last week they extended their unbeaten run in the Sussex Youth Cup, beating Montpelier Villa in the semi-finals to reach their third final in a row. I am sure you’ll all give Dale your support in the coming weeks.
Let’s get behind the team this afternoon and Come On You Rooks!
Stuart
RECENT MATCH REVIEW
Enfield Town 1 vs Lewes 1, BetVictor Isthmian Premier League, 3rd March 2020
The Rooks took what could be a very valuable point at Enfield on Tuesday night. Watch the match highlights from Your Instant Replay:
And see Hugo’s reaction here:
Wingate & Finchley 1 vs Lewes 1, BetVictor Isthmian Premier League, 29th February 2020
Another trip to North London, another point as Ronnie Conlon marked his first start in 16 months with a fine goal. Watch the Your Instant Replay highlights here:
And here’s Hugo’s thoughts:
REMEMBERING JOE ARNOLD
The funeral of Lewes fan Joseph Robert Arnold took place on Friday 28 February when over 300 people attended. The ceremony was followed by a further celebration of his life held in the Rook Inn that afternoon that was jam-packed with family and friends.
Joe was the youngest son of Lewes FC Life Members David and Barbara Arnold. They want to say a huge thank you to all the Lewes fans that gave so generously to the collection held in the ground last month. It raised an astonishing £773 for the mental health charity MIND. That sum has joined other donations to MIND made in Joe’s memory that now total over £5,000, an achievement that brings enormous comfort to his family.
We welcome to the Dripping Pan today many of Joe’s team mates from his Tally Ho FC Sunday League side (Motto: ‘Win or Lose – We are on the Booze’). These guys have been tireless fundraisers in support of Joe and even attracted donations of around £1,000 last autumn for a cancer charity after Joe successfully beat an aggressive form of the illness.
Joe always said he could cope with cancer but said that his struggle with mental health issues was infinitely more painful.
TODAY’S OPPONENTS: KINGSTONIAN
Kingstonian began life as Kingston & Surbiton YMCA in 1885, renamed Saxons FC in 1887, Kingston Wanderers in 1890 and Kingston upon Thames A.F.C. in 1893. Old Kingstonians split away in 1908, but reunited with Kingston upon Thames A.F.C. in 1919 to form Kingstonian FC.
The club joined the Athenian League, finishing as champions in 1924 and 1926, and stepped up to the Isthmian League in 1929. Kingstonian won the FA Amateur Cup in 1933 and the Isthmian League title in 1934 and 1937. They reached the FA Amateur Cup final again in 1960, but lost 1-2 to Hendon in their first Wembley appearance.
Relegated in 1979, they returned to the Premier Division in 1985, moving to a new ground at Kingsmeadow in 1989, topping the Isthmian League in 1998 to win promotion to the Football Conference.
Kingstonian won the FA Trophy in both 1999 (beating Forest Green Rovers 1-0 in the final) and 2000 (3-2 against Kettering Town) under manager Geoff Chapell (his fifth FA Trophy Final win in seven seasons, the other three with Woking), and in 2000 finished fifth in the Conference.
Having knocked Brighton out of the FA Cup in 1994, and drawn at home to Leyton Orient in front of a crowd of 3,495 in 1998, Kingstonian reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2001, knocking out Football League sides Brentford and Southend United, before going out 0-1 in a replay to Bristol City. However, that same season they were relegated back to the Isthmian League and suffered relegation again in 2005.
Financial difficulties soon caused a downturn in the club’s fortunes, including the sale of their Kingsmeadow ground to Wimbledon AFC in 2003 – though Kingstonian continued to play there until 2017 (the ground having then been bought by Chelsea). They suffered relegation again in 2005.
Under Alan Dowson the club was promoted back to the Isthmian League Premier Division in 2009. However, after finishing second in 2014 but missing out on promotion, Dowson resigned. Kingstonian won the Isthmian League Cup in 2016. Ground-sharing for one season with Leatherhead in 2017-18, Kingstonian then took on a three-year ground-share with Corinthian-Casuals FC at King George’s Field.
Last season Kingstonian finished 18th, and are currently 11th in the table.
MEET THE SQUAD
Hayden Bird – Manager
Hayden was appointed to the role of first team manager in May 2019 after he decided to end a massively successful time as manager of Merstham. Hayden, who has also had success as Manager of Croydon Athletic, Carshalton Athletic and Bromley, joined the Moatsiders in January 2012 and subsequently took the team to unprecedented success, including the FA Cup First Round in 2016 when they played Oxford United in front of the live BT Sport cameras.
Rob Tolfrey – Goalkeeper
Undeniably a Kingstonian legend, Rob holds the record for the most appearances made in goal for the K’s. Rob started his career with Crawley Town before spending one season with Whyteleafe and then securing a move to Horsham. In 2009, Rob moved to Kingstonian and has been their number one ever since. Supporters’ Player of the Year on several occasions, including last season, Rob was recipient of a testimonial match against AFC Wimbledon in 2015, and must now be heading for 600 appearances in a K’s shirt.
Tutu Henriques – Defender/Assistant Manager
Tutu is Hayden Bird’s assistant manager, after joining from Merstham in the summer of 2019. A very experienced defender, he counts Carshalton Athletic amongst his previous clubs, and made over 300 appearances for Bromley FC.
Sean Clohessy – Defender
Sean joined the K’s from Concord Rangers in December 2018. He began his career in the youth ranks at Arsenal before signing for Gillingham in 2005. After a spell with Salisbury City, he spent four seasons with Southend United and then moved up north and spent a season with Kilmarnock. Subsequently he played for Colchester United, Leyton Orient, Braintree Town and Leatherhead.
Simon Cooper – Defender
Simon has plenty of Isthmian Premier and Southern League experience. Formerly with Carshalton Athletic, Guildford City, Chipstead and AFC Croydon Athletic, he joined Kingstonian from Merstham in the summer of 2019.
Ollie Cook – Defender
A former Fulham and Southampton junior, Ollie joined Kingstonian from Merstham in the summer of 2019. Ollie was a regular in the Saints’ U23s and played for them in the Football League Trophy on four occasions. He had a loan spell in the National League with Barrow, before moving to Merstham in 2018 after being released by Southampton.
Harry Osborne – Defender
Harry is a former Charlton Athletic defender signed from National South Braintree Town in October last year. He was already well known to many of his teammates via the K’s familiar Merstham connection and is equally happy at right back as he is in central defence.
Fabio Saraiva – Defender/Midfielder
Fabio joined the K’s from Merstham in the summer of 2019, completing a third spell with the Moatsiders. He began his career with Merstham, and also played for Maidstone United, and Woking.
Kenny Beaney – Midfielder
Very experienced midfielder who joined the K’s from Merstham in the summer of 2019 Kenny is also part of the K’s coaching team. Previous clubs include Dulwich Hamlet, where he was captain of their promotion winning team in 2018, Wealdstone, Beckenham Town, Grays Athletic and Thurrock.
Good old Gus swapped the Pan for Merstham in the summer of 2018 and from there joined Kingstonian in the summer of 2019. He began his career at Crystal Palace and later had a spell with Finnish team FC Honka Espoo. Gus has also turned out for St Albans City and Dulwich Hamlet. He was integral to our promotion in 2018, and if we asked him nicely he might come back.
Dan Bennett – Midfielder
Dan originally signed for the K’s in 2015 from Farnborough after a four year spell with the Hampshire club, and scored 18 goals in the 2015-16 season. He joined Merstham in the summer of 2016, and after spells with Tonbridge Angels and Walton Casuals he rejoined the Moatsiders during the 2018-19 season. He began his second spell with Kingstonian in the summer of 2019.
Omarr Lawson – Midfielder
Good old Omarr, was it only last season he played for us? At 26, Omarr has experience and quality and is valued for his versatility. He started as a Dulwich Hamlet youth, and had trials at Portsmouth, Watford and Cardiff City before signing for Bognor Regis Town. The midfielder made 49 appearances for the Rooks last season, and helped us win promotion the season before, after moving over from VCD Athletic.
Tom Kavanagh – Midfielder
Tom played in the Conference South for Sutton United, and has also played for Dulwich Hamlet, and Merstham from where he rejoined the K’s for his third spell in the summer of 2019.
Reece Hall – Midfielder/Forward
Reece signed for the K’s for his second spell from Dorking Wanderers in the summer of 2019. He was a Crystal Palace junior, although properly began his career as a Tooting and Mitcham United player. He can count us, briefly, as among his previous clubs, as well as Staines Town, Bromley, Carshalton Athletic, Metropolitan Police, Redhill and Merstham.
Dan Hector – Midfielder/Forward
Dan joined Kingstonian in the summer of 2019 from Whyteleafe. He started out as a Merstham player who progressed from their U23s into the first team, before joining the ‘Leafe at the start of the 2018-19 season.
Andre Coker – Midfielder/Forward
Andre is a Crystal Palace graduate, highly rated by the K’s Manager Hayden Bird. The winger has signed on loan from Bromley until the end of the season.
Eddie Dsane – Forward
Eddie played his academy football at Crystal Palace and Preston North End before moving onto Fleetwood Town in 2015. After spells in the League of Ireland with Longford Town and Finn Harps, he moved back to England joining the K’s in December from Leatherhead; 15 appearances and 2 goals.
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
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