Honours Even As Rooks Fight Back In This Frosty Encounter

Reporter Marcus Lee looks back at the match. Click on the image to read his report

Highlights

Lewes 1 Durham 1 match highlights provided by Your Instant Replay

Global Audience

We had a world-wide audience on Sunday, including many of our owners. Here’s a recent map showing our ownership locations. Beneath that a list of countries that streamed this match v Durham on Sunday!

Gallery

Click on the image to view a fine selection of photos from James Boyes

Stay Home, stay safe, watch us LIVE! at https://www.lewesfc.com/live

PROGCAST CONTENTS

• Teams, Fixtures and League Table
• Watch today’s game LIVE!
• Today’s Match Day Commentary Team
• Simon Says – the Gaffer looks ahead to this afternoon’s match
• Your 2020/21 Season Rooks Squad
• Pitch Artist 0 Rog Takes Us For A Spin
• Great Scott! We Welcome Lyle & Scott to the Lewes FC Family
• Stuart Fuller – the Lewes FC Chairman welcomes you to 2021
• 100 Not Out: Looking back at the Big 1920 Boxing Day match
• Match Day Poster
• Who Are Ya? Durham Women FC
• Town Hall Meeting
• Pan For Gold!
• Club Shop Barry
• Commercial Opportunities with Lewes FC
• Lewes FC Supporters Club
• Filming At Matches
• Credits and Legal Stuff

TEAM NEWS

Today’s starting XIs will appear here before kick-off

Welcome to the home of LIVE football at Lewes FC!

Click on the link below to go to our live streaming service for this match
Season ticket holders watch for free. Anyone else can watch too, and as a trial you can pay what you want via a donation button at the foot of the page

https://www.lewesfc.com/live

Taking The Mic

It’s a warm welcome back to Lewes FC to commentator Ben Jacobs for today’s contest.
Ben will be joined in the comms box on Sunday by Lewes Men’s Captain Christian Frimpong.
The match will be streamed live for those fans unable to attend today. See the live link above!

Simon Says

Lewes manager Simon Parker is keen to see his players back in FA Women’s Championship action after the Christmas break. He’s looking forward to the challenge that Durham will bring on Sunday.

“The squad is looking good, everyone feels refreshed after the Christmas break, we’ve had a couple of weeks off.”

“The squad’s been looking good in training, the intensity levels have been good. We are hoping to really push on for the second half of the season with the aim of establishing ourselves as a very good Championship club.”

On the visitors’ abilities and the challenge they pose, Simon is clear on what to expect.

“The way we see Durham playing, they’re very very tough, they’re very well organised. They’re doing incredibly well in the league and we know it will be a tough game. We need to continue doing what we do well, improving on our ability on the ball and the chances we create.”

“We are positive for the game. We can be a tough (opponent) for any team in this league and we’ll be looking to get something out of the game, definitely.

Durham’s last two games were a tight away win at London Bees (1-2) and a strong 2-0 home win against Liverpool, Molly Sharpe and Emily Roberts.

The Rooks

Pitch Artist

If ever there were a man who loved his lawnmower, it’s our Roger. Here he is cutting the FA Women’s Championship rings into the hallowed Dripping Pan turf this week.

Someone send that man a glass of something chilled.

GREAT SCOTT! Lewes Welcome Lyle & Scott

Lewes Football Club is very proud to unveil its most significant partnership to date.
With the collaboration including an in-depth content series, buying new key players, shirt sponsorship of both the women’s and men’s teams, grassroots community outreach and development of club facilities, Lyle & Scott are making a six-figure investment in the club: The Rooks and The Golden Eagle .

Charlie Dobres commented “This incredible Lyle & Scott partnership is an acknowledgement of the club’s place in both its community and the wider football world. Lyle & Scott is an iconic brand whose focus is on community initiatives and we can’t wait to get to work. The benefit of this investment will be felt across both women’s and men’s teams and throughout the club.”

Maggie Murphy, General Manager of the club’s women’s section added “In a dark year where women’s sport faced so many setbacks, this partnership with Lyle & Scott proves that women’s football and ethical, community-oriented football is the future of the game. This investment allows us to grow, professionalize and strengthen our squad as well as share our story with others via a unique content partnership with Lyle & Scott”

Ben Gunn, Brand Director of Lyle & Scott said “Lewes FC is a beacon in the sporting world, a fan owned football club whose principles and values extend way beyond the football field. Something that genuinely excited us. Our focus at Lyle & Scott is on building a community, supporting, and collaborating with those whose vision is a powerful conduit for change across fashion, sport and music. We didn’t see this an opportunity to sponsor Lewes FC but rather an opportunity to help them tell their story, support their journey, whilst creating content opportunities that will allow a much wider audience to appreciate the outstanding work the club does.”

The deal is initially set to run through until summer 2021.
Watch out for updates and news in the weeks ahead!

Lyle & Scott website – Buy stuff 😉

NOTES FROM THE BIG CHAIR

Good afternoon and welcome to back to the beautiful game. 

Today we face Durham who have made the long journey down from the North East and we wish them a problem-free journey home.

After the excitement of being able to welcome fans back for our games in December we are now back to playing in front of empty terraces, which I fear is going to be how this season will continue.  The situation in London and the South East is incredibly serious with infection rates still not showing any signs of levelling out despite the new measures introduced at Christmas.  What we do now know is that a new mutation of the virus is responsible for the rapid increase in cases.

And that is why it is absolutely necessary for all clubs to take all of the precautions they need to and ensure that the players are abiding by the rules.  Unfortunately, there are two WSL games not being played this weekend due to breaches of the protocol by players.  Both Arsenal and Manchester City successfully lobbied the FA to have their games against Aston Villa and West Ham United postponed because of COVID outbreaks in their squads.  Both saw members of their squad travel outside of the UK over the Christmas period.

My anger isn’t just at the players and their actions but at the clubs and the FA for the stances they have taken.  There simply isn’t any consistency and you do feel it is one rule for one and one for another.  We’ve seen major issues in the Men’s game over the festive period with players breaking the rules on restrictions, with one club simply saying that the flagrant flouting of the rules was “disappointing”.  The Football Association AND the clubs need to take this seriously.  If the cases at Arsenal and Manchester City were avoidable and down to the actions of a small number of individuals, then simply allowing them to cancel games when they have enough players available to play is completely wrong.

Back in November the Department of Culture, Media and Sports announced a funding package for English sport that would include money to be paid to Women’s Football at Steps 1 and 2 as well as for the Men’s National League game at Steps 3 to 6 (our Men’s team play at Step 3).  These funds would cover some of the costs clubs like Lewes had incurred on having to run our clubs without any revenue from gate receipts or secondary spend such as in the Rook Inn.  Nearly two months later and we still haven’t heard anything from the DCMS about these funds.  I wanted to highlight this to give you an idea on the background we are all having to work to at the moment.

As a club we are hugely reliant on our volunteers (thank you once again) and fortunately, we now have an excellent commercial partner on board in the form of Lyle & Scott which will significantly help us. Not all clubs at our level are as fortunate and there needs to be urgent action to ensure that all clubs can continue through the current storm and come out of it the other side.

The current pandemic situation should be a wake up call for football.  Unfortunately many of those who are in a position to help seem to have slept through the alarm time and time again.

Come on you Rooks!

Stuart

The In-Crowd: Celebrating 100 Years Since The Boxing Day Massive

Dick, Kerr Ladies attracted 53,000 fans on Boxing Day 100 years ago.
A year later, they were banned. ABC’s Simon Swale takes a look at a remarkable story whose centenary was marked on 26th December 2020.

The year is 1920. It’s Boxing Day and Goodison Park stadium in Liverpool is packed to the rafters with 53,000 supporters. Up to 14,000 fans are outside, unable to get into the ground.

However, this capacity crowd is not there to see the male players of then two-time First Division and 1906 FA Cup champions, Everton.

Instead, they have come to catch a glimpse of an amateur women’s team, arguably the best women’s team of all time, Dick, Kerr Ladies.

Yet, despite the people voting with their feet by flocking to see them play across the world, what should be looked back on as one of the crowning glories of football instead holds bittersweet memories as that success sowed the seeds for a ban that would devastate the women’s game for half a century.

Gail Newsham grew up in Preston, a stone’s throw from the site of the Dick, Kerr factory.

Despite being a local, she knew little of the world-famous trailblazers that lived and played on her doorstep until a chance meeting with a former player in 1991 sparked a drive to preserve the team’s memory. After two decades of research, Newsham said there was one reason for their success. Their ability.

“When I was doing my research in the early 90s, I met a couple of gentlemen who had seen the Dick, Kerr Ladies play,” Newsham said. “I asked one of them why he wanted to watch the Dick, Kerr Ladies. He simply said, ‘because I wanted to watch a good game of football.’

“There was nothing gender related, wanting to see women in shorts, anything like that. It was the quality of the football that made him want to go, and that’s why he went.”

He was not alone.

Dick, Kerr Ladies became a big drawcard across the United Kingdom and overseas, as one of the first recognised women’s international teams.

Crowds had always been healthy for these charity matches, but the Goodison game was something else. “I don’t think anyone dreamt at how big it would be,” Newsham said. “There was no special advertising, it was just another game. Now it has become the game.”

The 53,000 fans in attendance that day set a record for women’s football that was only beaten when 60,739 people saw Atlético Madrid host Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano in March 2019. The Boxing Day match alone raised £3,115 for charity, or £140,143 in today’s money.

Newsham said there was not a lot written about that particular match, but there were still some interesting subplots. Star striker Florrie Redford missed the train to Liverpool, leaving Dick, Kerr Ladies with something of an issue up front.

Jennie Harris was moved to centre forward and scored the only goal of the first half to give Dick, Kerr Ladies the lead at the break. In the second half though, a hat-trick from “captain fantastic” and right back Alice Kell completed a 4-0 victory

* * * * * * * *

This is an extract from an online piece published by abc.net.au on 24 December 2020 and written by Simon Smale. Simon joined the ABC News Digital team in 2018 after spending three years as a guest on local radio in Queensland.

Born in England, Simon has worked all over the world as a geologist before settling in Australia in 2012 and turning his attentions to writing and talking about sport. Twitter: @simon_smale

MATCHDAY POSTER

This season these are being designed by our U14s/ U16s pathway players.
They’ve been interviewing and photographing our first team players via Zoom.

The poster for today’s game features super-cat ‘keeper Laura Hartley
Laura was speaking to youth player Tate Willis, who is 13

Who Are Ya? Durham WFC

Durham visit the Dripping Pan on Sunday looking to continue a good run against the Rooks. But as you might expect, they are taking nothing for granted. Mark Donnelly reports.

Sarah Wilson says Durham Women are under no illusions as to the scale of the challenge they will face at Lewes this weekend – as the Wildcats prepare to kick-off 2021.

The visit to the Dripping Pan is the Wildcats’ first outing of the New Year and is their longest trip of the season – and comes ahead of further visits to Crystal Palace and West Ham United in the coming weeks.

But Wilson says the travelling won’t deter the side as they prepare for a tricky assignment on the south coast.

“It’s a massively long trip, but it’s something we’re used to,” said the Durham skipper.

“We went to Lewes two seasons ago and know exactly what it’s like, and it’s something we’re all used to. I think that’s a bit of a benefit to us because most teams only have to travel to us, that’s their big journey, but for us it’s something we have to do on a regular basis – so we’re used to it.”

Durham have already beaten Lewes this season, running out 3-0 winners in a game in which the scoreline didn’t truly reflect the close nature of the full 90 minutes. Wilson, therefore, is expecting another tricky test against the Rooks.

“We scored the three goals in the last few minutes and the scoreline didn’t reflect the game,” she said of the last meeting between the pair.

“We know that Lewes will know what to expect and it’ll be another incredibly tough game, so we just need to focus on ourselves.”

The Wildcats enjoyed a brief festive break after the win over Liverpool on December 20, but have spent much of the Christmas period in training preparing for their return to action.

“We’re just really looking forward to getting back into playing games again. Our feet are well and truly grounded, and that’s just the type of team we are.”

Highlights: Durham visited London Bees recently. Here’s how it went down …

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

We’re hosting the first in a series of owner’s meetings this wednesday. This is open to all registered Lewes FC Owners. An invitation was sent out to all registered owners on 9.2.21.

Wednesday (13th January) at 8.30pm 
Lewes FC will host the first in a new series of monthly Town Hall Meetings for all owners.

Join us on Zoom for one hour. A handful of board members will provide a quick five-to-ten-minute update on all that’s happening at the club, we’ll spend the rest of the time in an all-hands, ask-me-anything, Q&A kind of way.

The topic for this one is… How to run a football club in lockdown, plus an update on recent commercial activity like our new brand partnership with Lyle & Scott. 

You can sign up for the meeting here.

Please note: attendance is by invite only, for registered Lewes FC owners. 

If you’d like to send the board any questions in advance, just drop us a reply to the owner’s email you received on Saturday. We’ll try and answer all of them. Of course, you can always ask questions during the meeting. We’d like it to be as interactive as possible.

Pan For Gold: you have to be in it to win it!!

Join Alan Sayers and his merry band of Supporters Club members on the trail for (not quite) lost treasure. This monthly draw delivers valuable cash prizes to the winners. Take part for just £5 per month per person.

Click on the bullion for more. The gold. Not the fancy French soup.

Club Shop Barry

Click on my gawjus Furry Face to reveal the latest club shop online offers … Baz

Club Shop Barry welcomes you to his Online Emporium. You can spot the latest deals, grab the new home and away kit, hats, scarves, face coverings … you name it!

Commercial

If You Liked It Then You Shoulda Put A Ring On It

Lewes FC is the first & only football club in the world where women and men footballers get equal resources.

No other football club can say that.

Our women’s team is one of the top 20 teams in the country. And our men’s team is one of the most loved in non-league football.

We are 100% fan owned, not-for-profit. We have Owners in 31 countries around the world.

This is a football revolution. And we want your company to #JoinTheClub

Contact Charlie@LewesFC.com

https://www.lewesfc.com/club-info/sponsorship

LEWES FC SUPPORTERS CLUB

Click on the logo to visit the wonderful world of LFCSC …

The Lewes FC Supporters Club raises money for the club, runs social events and represents the fans on the terraces.

The Supporters Club – in no small part due to David & Barbara Arnold and a handful of other hardcore volunteers – has raised enormous amounts for the club over the past few years.

In Season 2018/19, the Supporters Club donated just over £22,000 to the club.

Take a peek or get involved! All Rooks welcome …

Come On You Rooks!!!

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. 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 INFO

The FA Women’s Championship strongly supports 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 Ed Briggs*, Charlie Dobres, Stuart Fuller*, John Peel, Eddie Ramsden, Galia Orme, Roger Warner, Steve Keegan, Karen Dobres, Trevor Wells
Claire Rafferty**

*Re-elected at AGM Oct 2020
** Directors seconded onto the board

Operations Manager Warren Lane

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.

General Manager Maggie Murphy
Assistant GM Lynne Burrell
Marketing Officer Maggie Murphy
Safeguarding Officer Lynne Burrell
Pathway Coordinator Alison Palmer

Manager Simon Parker
Assistant Coach Jesus Cordon
Assistant Coach Ady Penrose
PP Coach Christos Andreou
GK Coach Sergio Maldonado
Nutritionist Stefano Montanari
Asst PPC Kayleigh Bonwick
Physio Paul Paredes
Team Psychologist Chelsea Orme
Data Analyst Adam Chilcott
Kit Wrangler Joe Gander

DS Coach Lewis Singleton
U18s Manager/ Head coach Kelly Newton
U18s Manager/ Coach Charlie Carter
U16s Manager/ Coach David Seymour
U16s Coach Lucy Barnes
U14s Manager/ Coach Tom Young/ Rob Palmer

Pathway Co-ordinator Alison Palmer
Pathway Goalkeeping coach Peter Stimpson

Web Editor Stuart Fuller
Progcast Editor Ash Head
Progcast designer Barry Collins
Club Photographer James Boyes