Sunday 1 October 2023 12pm – The Barclays Women’s Championship – The Dripping Pan
Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s first Barclays Women’s Championship game of the season against Blackburn Rovers.
Here is your complimentary e-programme
Lewes FC Women 2023/24
NOTES FROM THE CHAIR
Good afternoon and welcome to this Barclays Women’s Championship match as we welcome Blackburn Rovers I hope our visitors from the Lancashire enjoy our hospitality and have a safe journey home. I’d also like to welcome our former Manager, Simon Parker back to the game.
It was another frustrating outing two weeks ago at Sheffield United, losing by a single second half goal which didn’t reflect the effort and possession we had in the game. The result paled into insignificance a few days later when Blades midfielder Maddy Cusack sadly passed away and our thoughts are with her friends, family and the club at this time.
Naturally, we need to start winning points. It is great to see we have Natalie Lawrence now in the technical area with Scott Booth having arrived from New Zealand. Welcome Natalie!
Tomorrow we have another Owners Town Hall where Mercury 13’s Founder Chief Executive Officer Victoire Souki Cogevina will be answering questions on the investment proposal, prior to the start of the owners voting process which will begin this week. As promised, we have now provided full answers to over 300 questions asked during the process so far. That hasn’t stopped questions being asked on social media which have been patiently responded to, including some ill-informed comments, which we have tried to correct.
However, it won’t be me answering those questions anymore. I can and have taken levels of abuse in my almost 12 years as a director of the club, dealt with a fair share of interesting characters but always with politeness, patience and transparency. But I draw the line when individuals take information and comments I have made, in public or in one to one situations, and deliberately misquote me to try to sensationalise their own agenda. It has happened before and I chose to ignore it but this week has seen individuals deliberately doing it so I’ve removed myself from the social media channels in question. I apologise to those who asked genuine questions, or appreciated the updates but I’m not prepared to engage in those forums where individuals can operate in such a way.
This is a huge week for the club on and off the pitch, so let’s get right behind the team this afternoon.
Come on you Rooks!
Stuart
FROM THE DUGOUT – SCOTT BOOTH
Hello everyone welcome to the Dripping Pan this afternoon.
We’ve had really good preparation for today, Caragh and Maria have been away but the time spent with players that were here, was really, really good.Â
They worked hard, they were focused, and in the 10 days we’ve had, we’ve been able to work on some details,and I think the players have enjoyed it.
It’s been great to be able to work through some things, change a couple of things, work really well as a unit.
We’ve added Nat in that time as well who has really settled in. She’s a really good person, good coach, and basically got straight to work, integrated really well.
The players have connected with her and it’s been a real positive to get her in.
They’ve only had my voice for a long time and that’s not what they need, they need that bit of balance and Nat has given us that.
The Sheffield United game was frustrating because there was nothing in the game.
We have to take positives from the performance but there was very little chances for both sides and they’ve taken theirs.
Blackburn will be a tough test for us today, they’ve proved they are no pushovers in this league.
They utilise what they’ve got very well and they are extremely well organised.
We know by now that every game in this league is very similar every team is tough to beat.Â
Thank you everyone for your continued support.
Scott
Introducing Natalie Lawrence
We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Natalie Lawrence as the new Assistant Manager of Lewes FC Women.
Natalie joins us from the New Zealand National Team where she was Assistant Manager during this year’s World Cup campaign.
She was also their women’s U-17 head coach and talent pathway manager overseeing women’s football development in preparation for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 cycle.
Before that, she was also Head Coach of Wellington Phoenix Women where she was previously assistant.
Natalie moved to New Zealand initially in 2010 and worked for Capital Football from 2012-2015, coaching Capital in the national women’s league, in Wellington.
She then had a stint in Vancouver to lead the Whitecaps’ women’s academy programme. Lawrence then returned to New Zealand when she became the first female head coach of a men’s national league side when she took charge of Team Wellington’s youth team.
Upon joining the club, Natalie said: “It’s been great so far, I’ve settled in straight away, I’ve been introduced back to the British weather!
“It’s a great area, great facility [at Lewes], I got on really well with Scott straight away, but the values of the club and the way they treat females was something that was a massive draw for me.
Welcome to Lewes, Natalie!
INTRODUCING OUR VISITORS FROM BLACKBURN
THE HISTORY
The ladies’ club was formed in 1991 as part of Blackburn Rovers’ community programme, and reached the Northern Combination Women’s Football League in 1998. After a few years in mid-table, the club began to take off in 2002. They moved into their parent club’s lavish training facility at Brockhall Village, England youth striker Katie Anderton arrived from Tranmere Rovers and manager Marek Walsh demoted himself in favour of 25-year-old coaching prodigy Andy McNally. In 2003–04 Rovers won the Northern Combination by winning every match, and also added the Lancashire County Cup. The following season they finished a creditable third in the Premier League Northern Division.
Prior to the 2005–06 campaign, Rovers signed England Under-21 players Kay Hawke from Curzon Ashton and Lynda Shepherd from Stockport County. The club then won the league by finishing undefeated, with a record 20 wins from 22 games. McNally won FA Manager of the Year award, the first person from outside the top-flight to do so, while during the season Lynda Shepherd was called into a training camp with the senior England squad.
For the club’s first season at the top-level, Rovers arranged to play their home games at Clitheroe FC’s Shawbridge ground. The squad was strengthened with the signing of Leeds United full-back Mel Cook and England striker Amanda Barr, from Charlton Athletic.
In October 2006, the club lost 6–3 to Chelsea in the Premier League Cup amidst farcical scenes.The controversial performance of the 20-year-old referee saw him leave Shawbridge under police escort, while Andy McNally was sent-off and subsequently banned for a month by the FA for foul and abusive language. Despite several senior players demanding his return, McNally was suspended by his employers Blackburn Rovers before being replaced by Adam Lakeland in January 2007.
Although Amanda Barr also departed in January, to Leeds United, Blackburn rallied to finish in the top half of the table and reach the semi-final of the FA Women’s Cup, where they lost 0–1 to Charlton Athletic. 34-goal striker Katie Anderton and goalkeeper Kay Hawke were both selected for the England squad at the end of the 2006–07 season. However, neither made the final 2007 World Cup squad. Anderton spent the summer playing in the United States, for FC Indiana.
Kay Hawke and Mel Cook signed for Lincoln City in August 2007, while former captain Anisha Bateman joined Preston North End. Lincoln goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs arrived as a replacement for Hawke. Rovers recruited several other new faces including international players Katie Williams, Michelle Walsh and Karen Burke. Natalie Preston was signed from Leeds United and captained the side in pre-season. A poor second half of the season saw Rovers finish eighth in 2007–08, while they were ejected from the FA Women’s Cup by Lincoln at the quarter-final stage.
2008–09 proved no better as Rovers finished ninth and suffered a humiliating County Cup final defeat to Combination League Rochdale. Another aberrant refereeing performance in October 2008 saw four Blackburn players sent-off in a Premier League Cup defeat to Portsmouth, a scenario which manager Adam Lakeland described as “making a mockery of the women’s game.” In the summer of 2009, Rovers quit Shawbridge, citing the condition of the pitch as a contributing factor in their poor form. The club relocated to Stainton Park, the home of Radcliffe Borough FC, for the 2009–10 season, in which they finished seventh-placed in the Premier League National Division.
Super League
In January 2010, Blackburn and Watford were the only top-flight clubs who failed to apply for membership of the new FA Women’s Super League. Blackburn had declined to submit an application due to their reluctance to separate from the men’s club. The club’s decision ultimately meant they would be playing in the level below the following season, which saw an exodus of the club’s top players, with Amy Kane and Danielle Hill returning to Everton, while Lynda Shepherd signed for Liverpool. Katie Anderton signed a Super League contract for Doncaster Rovers Belles but remained with Blackburn until the end of the season.
Although Blackburn intended to introduce young players to their squad, they also remained active in the transfer market. Defender Charlotte Farrell and Northern Irish international midfielder Kim Turner arrived from Manchester City and versatile Amanda Goodwin signed from Curzon Ashton. In April 2011, the club parted company with Adam Lakeland, shortly before their relegation into the Premier League Northern Division was confirmed.
1.Alex Brooks (GK)
2.Niamh Murphy
3.Hannah Coan
4.Tyler Toland
5.Helen Seed
6.Jade Richards (C)
7.Farah Crompton
8.Emma Doyle
9.Chelsea Ferguson
10.Chloe Williams
11.Meg Hornby
12.Emma Taylor
14.Lucy Shepherd
15.Hannah Silcock
17.Millie Chandarana
19.Evie Smith
21.Lauren Thomas
22.Milly Robertson
23.Georgia Walters
25.Nicola Worthington
29.Faith Nokuthula
42.Jemima Dahou
99.Shanell Salgado
THE LAST MEETINGS
| 26 Apr 2023 | Championship | Blackburn Rovers | 1 | Lewes | 0 |
| 16 Apr 2023 | Championship | Lewes | 1 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 |
| 27 Feb 2022 | Championship | Blackburn Rovers | 1 | Lewes | 0 |
| 10 Oct 2021 | Championship | Lewes | 1 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 |
| 14 Mar 2021 | Championship | Blackburn Rovers | 0 | Lewes | 3 |
A pre-game tribute to Maddy Cusack
All at Lewes Football Club were devastated to hear of the passing of Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack. Our deepest condolences are with Maddy’s family, friends, team-mates and everyone at Sheffield United.
Please join us in a minute’s silence in memory of Maddy, which will begin on the referee’s whistle before kick-off.
TRAINING THIS WEEK… PHOTOS BY GRACE JONES
THE 2023/24 BARCLAYS WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
YOUR 2023/24 LEWES SQUAD
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
Acting Chair Trevor Wells
Directors Willa Bailey, Tim Bradshaw, Ed Briggs, Andy Gowland, John Peel, Trevor Wells, Priscilla Aldridge
Chief Executive Officer Maggie Murphy
Life Members
Peter Brook, Dorothy Brook RIP, Vic Blunt RIP, 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 Natalie Lawrence
General Manager Lynne Burrell
Club Doctor Dr Daniel Hudson
Head Physiotherapist Adam Hutchins
Sports Therapist Liam Jenman
Sports Therapist Intern Beth Lenihan
Sport Scientist Ivi Casagrande
Mental Coach Sarah Murray
Data Analyst Tom Drummer
Kit Manager Kerri Coombs
Communications Manager Jack Towers
Commercial Manager Stef McLoughlin
Operations Manager Ryan Sullivan
Fan Engagement Manager Shrey Nilvarna
Facilities Manager Damien Watts
Golden Rook Rob Read
Web Editors Jack Towers
Progcast Editors Jack Towers / Stan Lahood
Club Photographer James Boyes & Grace Jones
NEXT UP AT THE PAN….
SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER 2023 – 7:30PM KICK OFF
THE CONTINENTAL TYRES LEAGUE CUP
