Sunday 23rd October 2022 2pm – The Barclays FA Women’s Championship – The Dripping Pan

Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s Barclays Women’s Championship game against Charlton Athletic. Here is your complimentary e-programme

JOIN THE TEAM

NOTES FROM THE CHAIR

Good afternoon and welcome to The Dripping Pan for this afternoon’s Barclays Women’s Championship game against Charlton Athletic. I’d like to extend our hospitality to the fans, players, management and officials of the Addicks.

It was heartbreaking last Sunday to lose at Durham with a goal in injury time. It is a long way to go in the best of times but to play so well and not come away with anything made it an even longer journey home! However, we have a chance to put that right today and hopefully record our first league win of the season.

It’s been a busy few weeks around the club as you will read from our summary later in this programme. We really are now a 7-day-a-week operation but there’s always opportunities for people to get involved and help out, even if you can spare an hour or two.

Tomorrow we have the AGM and the opportunity to vote for new board members – details of whom can be found in this progcast. I’d personally like to say thank you to Karen Dobres, who is standing down from the board. Her contribution has been amazing in the last four years, really driving a number of our community programmes. I know there has been some questions raised about the most recent accounts, which will be addressed at the meeting. One key point I’d like to make is that we have no long-term debt (loans, overdrafts or long-term liabilities), and a significant amount of our people costs are funded centrally and from commercial partners. I am sure there will be other questions raised – as always I am open to answering any questions at any time from anyone.

Come on you Rooks!

Stuart

FROM THE DUGOUT WITH SCOTT BOOTH

Lewes boss Scott Booth says his players are raring to go ahead of Sunday’s clash with Charlton at the Dripping Pan following a strong week of the back of defeat at Durham last weekend.

The Rooks were on course to draw a fifth successive Women’s Championship clash last Sunday before Sarah Mcfadden popped up with a winner for Durham in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

It means Booth’s squad has had seven days to prepare their response to the defeat, and face a Charlton side on Sunday whom they beat 2-0 in the Conti Cup earlier this October.

The club is expecting a bumper crowd down at the Dripping Pan and tickets are still on sale online.

Discussing the game, Booth says: “Charlton are a very good side. We’ve already come up against them this season and despite getting the win that day, it was a very close game.

“I expect the same again on Sunday – a close clash with plenty of commitment from both teams. The fans are in for a real treat. Hopefully we get the same type of game and result.”

Booth has had a week to prepare his team for Sunday’s 2pm kick off and says the players took plenty away from the trip to the north east.

“The squad’s been great this week. We’ve trained well and overall it’s been a smooth week of training, the type you need for consistency. They’re focused and ready to go,” says Booth.

“It’s good because the week leading up to the Durham game was a little strange. There was the added element of travel and a couple of knocks to players, and it made for a hard-fought game. We didn’t play anywhere near as well as I know we can, yet we were still in the fight right until the end.

“We tired a bit towards the end and gave them one chance too many. That’s the honest assessment.

“The players took out plenty of positives for a day where we didn’t play particularly well – and we’ve seen that in training this week. To just lose the game in the final seconds in tough, but it’s good to see it’s encouraged the players rather than get them down.

“Even if we’re not at our best we’re still very competitive. The aim is to raise our game consistently to what we have been earlier in the season, and we can then start causing teams problems. That consistency means we can make sure opponents don’t get those chances at the end.”

AROUND THE PAN

Players show their solidarity for the Yates Report

The players from both teams will come together for a joint team photo ahead of the game in a show of solidarity for the the NWSL players following the publication of the Yates report. This is similar to the show of support made by the Lionesses ahead of the game vs USA and a number of other teams followed suit ahead of their games last weekend. We will make a brief announcement on the PA system when the players have the photo taken before the game today.

Rainbow Laces campaign

The 19th to 31st October is the Rainbow Laces campaign window and the key message this year is that “inclusion has no off-season”. The players will wear rainbow laces, the rainbow captains armband and the ground will have dedicated corner flags. A link to the Stonewall campaign can be found here.

Working with East Sussex College

We are trying to work more closely with East Sussex College, who have been very generous in allowing our teams to use their buildings and facilities. The College are really short of host families for their students and have asked whether we can help by putting up posters at match days or visiting the Homestay section of the College website.


Lewes nominated for Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year award

We are delighted to announce that Lewes FC has been shortlisted for The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year – Changemaker Award. The award “celebrates those who have inspired others and used their platforms to create change”.

Three of the awards, including the Changemaker Award, will go to public vote. Of course, we therefore encourage our owners and supporters to have their voices heard by voting here!

The judges recognised our internal and external work to seek to be an exemplary football club, and to reach the highest stage possible. Internally, this includes the decision to equally resource our male and female teams, becoming the first club in the world to do so. The decision was taken on the back of an AGM election that saw Lewes FC Directors elected on an equality stance. They also acknowledged our opening up of opportunities for players to be more involved in campaigning and community work, citing Bradley Pritchard’s community garden that has further connected the local town with the club.

Externally, judges recognised the work we have done to challenge the increasing saturation of football by the gambling industry, our involvement in the gambling review and supporting Gambling With Lives, a charity supporting those who have lost loved ones to gambling related suicide. They also highlighted our work towards reducing the FA Cup gender gap in prize money with the women’s FA Cup prize pot rising almost tenfold this year, and our work to deliver talks and workshops to companies and community groups.

This work was all made possible on the back of becoming fan-owned in 2010, and we are deeply grateful to the original six Directors who took the decision to take the club into community owners, as well as the more than 2300 owners who are with us to this day. If you would like to become a Lewes FC owner, please visit: www.lewesfc.com/owners.

We would finally like to recognise and acknowledge the incredible work of our co-nominees – Olympian Alice Dearing, who became the first black female swimmer for Great Britain at an Olympic Games and is a long-time campaigner on diversity and inclusivity in the swimming world; campaign group Gymnasts for Change who are working to address and remedy sexual and physical abuse in the sport; and Sandra Murphy, the first black equestrian to compete for the RAF who campaigns on diversity in the equine industry. All are worthy winners and we are delighted to stand alongside them.

And remember, you can cast your vote via the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year website!

Meet our new Communications and Commercial duo

Lewes FC are delighted to announce the appointments of Stef McLoughlin (Commercial Manager) and Jack Towers (Communications Manager).

Stef joins as Commercial Manager having previously worked in the education industry where she was Director of Language Courses for children across the country.

She also has a strong background in operations and sales and will lead on many exciting projects for the club going forward, including sponsorship deals and working on the club shop.

Stef has a strong interest in football and following the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019 got into playing the sport recreationally, playing regularly at the Sussex County FA Women’s Rec. Festival.

Upon joining the club, Stef said: “Lewes’ stance on equality is what attracted me to the club. It’s time to change the game and I am thrilled to be a part of it!”

We also have Jack joining us as Communications Manager, following more than three years working for Sussex County FA as Marketing & Communications Officer.

Jack has a strong background in football media and will be working closely with our communications and content team in helping raise the profile of the club.

Jack had this to say following his appointment: “It is a pleasure to join such a progressive football club. During my time with Sussex FA I was well aware of the great work that Lewes have been doing over the years and it’s exciting to now be involved!”

For Commercial matters, you can contact Stef on: Stef@LewesFC.com
For Communications matters, you can contact Jack on: Jack@LewesFC.com

TODAY’S CHARITY COLLECTION – THE MAIDEN FACTOR

This Sunday we’re delighted to be supporting a charity called ‘The Maiden Factor’.

The organisation is headed up by legendary British Sailor Tracy Edwards, who skippered the first all-female crew to circumnavigate the world. This extraordinary achievement is documented in the film ‘Maiden’ which we recommend you watching! Check out the trailer here:

Nowadays the Maiden Factor supports the empowerment of girls through education around the world. This is how they do it: 

Please give generously

Not only is Tracy supporting girls across the globe, but she is also supporting Lewes FC Women in solidarity with the cause for gender equality, knowing first-hand the difficulties of achieving a level playing field in a male bastion. We thank Tracey from the bottom of our hearts for this personal message of encouragement for today’s match – it means the world.

Rook divider

THE 2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & NEW DIRECTOR ELECTION

The Annual General Meeting of Lewes Community Football Club will take place on Monday 24th October at 7.30pm UK time.

The AGM will take place online: access details for all Owners will follow nearer the date. Following the success of holding last year’s AGM event wholly online, we will do so again as it’s the best method to ensuring equal opportunity to all Owners to raise any questions/concerns.

Board Elections

The Club currently has eight elected directors. Of those, Karen Dobres has come to the end of her three-year term and has not chosen to stand again. The Club is looking to fill three director positions in total at this election, which will bring us back up to ten elected directors.

As of midnight on Friday 14th October, seven applications were received for election to the Board of Directors, meaning there will be an election prior to the AGM. An online hustings was held on the evening of Thursday 20th October at 7.30pm UK time.  The candidates statements can be found by clicking on their individual names below:

Willa Bailey

Matthew Barrett

Tim Bradshaw

Andy Gowland

Eden Shepherd

Bradley Spiby

Ian Wigston

Voting is now open for owners and will end at 12 noon on the day of the AGM. Each owner can vote for up to three candidates. The three candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to the Board. All appointments to the Board are subject to passing the FA’s Owners & Directors Test and adherence to the Club’s Election Policy.

DEALING WITH THE SOCIAL MEDIA TROLLS THE LEWES & CURVE WAY

BARCLAYS WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDUP – WEEK 5

League leaders Bristol City continued their fine start to the FA Women’s Championship season with a 3-1 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Just a place back, London City Lionesses delivered a five-star performance on the road, with Sarah Ewens bagging a hat-trick in their 5-0 win over Coventry United.

Elsewhere, Sunderland saw off Crystal Palace, Durham left it late to beat Lewes and Charlton and Blackburn played out an entertaining score-draw.

Fab fifteen minutes sees Bristol City beat Sheffield United

Three goals in the space of 15 minutes helped Bristol City overcome their latest test, with a 3-1 win over Sheffield United.

The first was a piece of magic from Shania Hayles, who burst through the Blades backline before calmly placing the ball beyond Bethan Davies to give City the lead five minutes before the interval.

She was then wheeling away to celebrate her second just two minutes after the break, tapping home at the second attempt after Ella Powell had made great inroads on the flank.

And the game was put to bed on 53 minutes when Abi Harrison found the bottom corner.

The forward timed her run to perfection and showed great strength to hold off the defender before striking gold.

Mia Enderby did register a consolation for the hosts in stoppage time, who will now be looking to return to winning ways when they take on Southampton.

City’s victory ensured that they finish the weekend top and they remain the only unbeaten side after five matches.  

London City Lionesses cruise past Coventry United

Sarah Ewens’ first-half hat-trick helped London City Lionesses to a comfortable 5-0 win at Coventry United.

All three of the Scot’s strikes came inside the opening half-hour and with Atlanta Primus also on the scoresheet, the contest was as good as over prior to the interval.

City’s first came after just four minutes and was the product of some great work by Grace Neville, who picked out Ewens in the Coventry box after a lung-busting run forward.

Neville was again the provider for the Lionesses’ second, with another pinpoint delivery which Primus turned home.

Jamie-Lee Napier then picked out Ewens for the third before Neville was again involved for the fourth, delivering a free-kick which Hayley Nolan headed across the face of goal for Ewens to grab her hat-trick to cap a superb opening 30 minutes for Melissa Phillips’ side.

Neville got the goal her performance deserved after the break as she was played through by Lily Agg before firing home for her first of the season.

Charlton comeback keeps them riding high

Charlton fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to claim a 2-2 draw against Blackburn Rovers and stretch their unbeaten run to three matches.  

Two goals in the space of six minutes from Millie Chandarana and Saffron Jordan gave Rovers a healthy cushion at the break.

But the Addicks were relentless in the second period and goals from Emily Simpkins and Melissa Johnson brought them level.

Chandarana opened the scoring for Blackburn in the 23rd minute against the run of play before Jordan volleyed in a brilliant second to double the lead for Gemma Donnelly’s side.

The hosts started the second half quickly. Freda Ayisi won a penalty within five minutes which Simpkins converted with aplomb.

Karen Hills’ side were in the ascendancy at this stage and finally levelled with 20 minutes to play, with Johnson smuggling the ball in from a busy six-yard box following a corner.

Striker Johnson nearly snatched the points in stoppage time but Shanell Salgado got down well to make a crucial stop.

Blackburn are still without a win since the opening day and stay second bottom while Charlton look good in third.

Sunderland secure first league win with victory over Crystal Palace

Katy Watson’s last-minute strike sealed Sunderland’s first win of the new season away to Crystal Palace.

It was a brilliant counter that secured the three points for the Lady Black Cats, with Watson rounding Palace goalkeeper Fran Kitching before slotting into the empty net.

After a quiet first half it was the home side who looked the likelier to strike first, with Claudia Moan called into action on several occasions, first to deny Annabel Blanchard and then Coral-Jade Haines.

So it came as a surprise when Emily Scarr netted at the other end to put Sunderland ahead, with the forward on target for the second game running.

Palace then went in search of an equaliser and were peppering Moan’s goal as the final whistle approached.

The pressure valve was finally eased when Nicki Gears drove through the middle of park and played in the ice-cool Watson who wrapped up the points in style.

Saints stun Blues at Snows Stadium

Substitute Lucia Kendall scored a stunning late goal to gift Southampton a 1-0 win over Birmingham City at Snows Stadium.

The first half ended goalless, and the game looked to be heading towards a 0-0 draw before the 18-year-old prospect found the back of the net 15 minutes after coming off the bench. 

The first chance of the game fell to the Blues when Libby Smith’s intelligent pass found Lucy Quinn, whose shot went narrowly wide of the top corner. 

The hosts had their first chance of the game in the 30th minute when Katie Wilkinson was put through on goal by Beth Lumsden, but her effort went wide of the post. 

And Southampton secured the three points with a late winner as Kendall got on the end of a ball across the box before finishing at the far post to win the game. 

INTRODUCING OUR VISITORS FROM CHARLTON ATHLETIC

THE HISTORY

Founded in 1991 as Bromley Borough, later under the name Croydon Women’s F.C., between 2000–2007 as Charlton Athletic, the club was one of the most successful women’s teams in England.

After the parent club’s relegation from the Premier League, the women’s team was controversially disbanded in the summer of 2007, causing almost all of the senior squad to depart, although later a rescue sponsorship package was formed allowing the women’s set up to continue.

CAWFC won the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division title in 2017–18. On 27 May 2018, they beat Northern Division champions Blackburn Rovers Ladies FC 2–1 in a play-off final at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, and thus gained promotion to the FA Women’s Championship, the second tier of women’s football, for the season 2018–19. Last season they finished in 5th place in the Championship.

THE SQUAD

Charlton Athletic Women v Birmingham City Women, Barclays Women’s Championship, The Valley, 18 September 2022 Picture : Keith Gillard

THE CURRENT FORM

THE LAST MEETINGS

25th Aug 2019ChampionshipCharlton Athletic0Lewes0
6th Dec 2020ChampionshipLewes2Charlton Athletic1
7th March 2021ChampionshipCharlton Athletic1Lewes1
17th Oct 2021ChampionshipLewes2Charlton Athletic0
16th Jan 2022ChampionshipCharlton Athletic 1Lewes 0
2nd Oct 2022League CupLewes2Charlton Athletic0

LEWES 2 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0 – SUNDAY 2nd OCT

DURHAM 2 LEWES 1 – 16th OCTOBER 2022

Sarah Robson’s late strike helped Durham to a 2-1 win over Lewes at Maiden Castle Sports Park.

Substitute Mollie Lambert teed up Robson right at the death and she hooked the ball high into the top corner of Sophie Whitehouse’s goal.

Defeat for Lewes is their first of the season, but they had earlier looked like they were heading for victory when Emily Kraft put the visitors ahead on 55 minutes from the spot.  

Durham were awarded a spot-kick of their own a short while later, when Rio Hardy was fouled in the box, and Beth Hepple converted to set up a thrilling final 20 minutes.

The momentum was well and truly with the Wildcats and Whitehouse had to make a superb save to deny Maria Farrugia.

Substitute Bridget Galloway was denied a second penalty for Durham as the clock ticked past 90 minutes but there were no complaints at the final whistle from the northern side after Robson bagged a memorable winner. 

THE 2022/23 BARCLAYS WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

YOUR 2022/23 LEWES SQUAD

Squad No.NameSponsored By
1Sophie WhitehouseNathan Smith
2Ellie MasonScott Currie2
3Rhian CleverlyThe Happiness Index
4Amelia HazardDawn Harding
6Ellie HackLittle Stars Childcare
7Nat JohnsonAlice, Tom & Russ Mould
8Grace Palmer
9Emily KraftMichael Wirtz
10Amber Keegan StobbsBill Lynch
11Emma ThompsonMark Comford
12Charlyann Pizzarello
14Paula HowellsBruce Taylor
17Zoe Smith
18Rebecca McKennaLeschenault Press & The Book Reality Experience
19Lauren HeriaAlex Lambeth
20Libby Copus-BrownJoe Short
22Josie LonghurstMartin Scott
23Izzy DaltonLeschenault Press & The Book Reality Experience
26Emily Moore
31Laura HartleyMichael Scoates
32Frankie Angel

FILMING AT TODAY’S GAME

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 match day 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

“The Barclays 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. Lewes 2000 FC Limited is 100% owned by Lewes Community Football Club.

Honorary President Terry Parris
Chair Stuart Fuller
Directors Sue Anstiss MBE (co-opted), Ed Briggs, Scott Currie, Karen Dobres, Stuart Fuller, Lucy Mills, John Peel, Claire Rafferty (co-opted), Sally Taplin, Trevor Wells
Chief Executive Officer Maggie Murphy
Club Secretary John Peel
Fan Engagement Officer Shrey Nilvarna
Financial Director Biram Desai
Operations Manager James Barker

Equality FC Campaign Manager Karen Dobres

Life Members
Peter Brook, Dorothy Brook RIP, Vic Blunt, Pat Dartnell, Gary Elphick, Gordon Fowlie, Peter Hiscox RIP, Billy Nixon, Derrick Parris RIP, 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 Scott Booth
Assistant Manager Nat Haigh
PP Coach Christos Andreou
GK Coach Daniel Matraszek
Nutritionist Stefano Montanari
Physiotherapist Katrina Martin & Lydia Woodland
Team Psychologist Chelsea Orme
Data Analyst Adam Chilcott
Sporting Director Kelly Lindsey

General Manager Lynne Burrell

Women’s DS Head Coach Andy Corrigan

Pathway Co-ordinator Ryan Sullivan

Golden Rook Rob Read
Web Editor Stuart Fuller
Progcast Editors Stuart Fuller
Club Photographer James Boyes

NEXT UP AT THE PAN….

SUNDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2022
3:00PM KICK-OFF

THE BARCLAYS WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

TICKETS ON SALE NOW