Welcome to The Dripping Pan for this afternoon’s Isthmian Premier League game against Concord Rangers. Here is your complimentary e-programme.

TO BECOME AN OWNER, CLICK HERE: https://lewesfc.com/become-an-owner/

Prostate Cancer UK will celebrate a 10-year milestone working with Non-League Day on Saturday 23rd March 2024 and our match against Concord will mark the occasion.

For the last decade Prostate Cancer UK has worked side by side with the popular annual football matchday experience, raising money to fund
lifesaving research and to increase the knowledge and awareness of prostate cancer – the most common cancer in men.

This year we will be taking part and will receive a limited edition matchday pennant marking the 10-year anniversary, showcasing our support for Prostate Cancer UK and continuing a theme of activity with the charity on the annual day since 2014.

From wig-wearing, branded armbands and a unique match ball inscribed by men affected by prostate cancer, to multiple match day collections,

‘Man of Men’ badge-wearing, branded clubhouses, crossbar challenges and epic walks to games, Non-League Day has always caught the imagination
among the grassroots game for those wishing to support Prostate Cancer UK.

You can find out your risk via the charity’s 30 second online risk checker here: prostatecanceruk.org/nld10-risk

As always a warmest of welcomes to everyone at the Pan today and of course the players, officials and supporters of Concord Rangers.

The Rooks return from their Scandinavian Odyssey with our unbeaten European record in tact and we can now look forward to the warmer climes of Lake Garda in May. Well done to the team and the 40 or so intrepid Rooks Fans who made the trip. I understand we had our own Buzz Aldrin moment when a plucky Rook planted a club flag in the snow piled at the edge of the pitch.

Today of course is Non League Day which is in it’s 14th year. The Day is always scheduled for a weekend where there is an international break which means Premier League and Championship clubs are not playing and their supporters are encouraged to come along to a non league match where you can stand or sit where you choose, take your drink (and pie) with you and enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Well that is what we always strive to achieve at the Pan.

Non League Day was started by QPR fan James Doe after travelling to Tavistock to see Rangers in a pre season friendly. Lewes Director Stan Lahood may have a very similar tale to tell.

Any way if like James you are taking in the delights of the Dripping Pan In Lieu of your normal high maintenance Premiership habit please talk to our friendly staff, volunteers and supporters and we hope that you have a great afternoon and soon become regulars. You may like it so much that you will be prompted to buy the club (well join our other 2,700 owners where each member gets one vote).

Enjoy the game and come on you Rooks!

Trevor

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to today’s game against Concord Rangers. Here are my thoughts from our recent results.

In the last five games, Horsham, Canvey, Enfield, Dulwich and Oslo, I have seen some of the best performances I have ever seen from a side of mine, but in all five, there has been the same problem, and it’s a problem that stops a good side turning into a great one. We are not clinical enough in both boxes. Clean sheets and goals are what you need to win things. We have continued to build and upgrade this new side all season, and we have seen improvements in both Full-back areas and also in midfield. And add to that what we started with. I honestly think we are one of the best teams in the league, but we still need one or two to complete the team. We are running out of time to do that. I will continue to keep looking and trying my best until the end of the season to improve this group.

In the Canvey game, we dominated all game, then two individual mistakes later, we have somehow drew the game

Enfield, away we dominated, having 81% of the ball and 16 shots to their five and somehow lost 1-0, having missed great chances, hit the post and watched their keeper make good saves.

Dulwich away more of the same. Dominant all game, 77% of the ball, having 22 shots to their three and lost 2-0! One of their shots was an OG from us, so I guess you see the pattern here. 80% of this team is in their mid to early 20s, and they are going to the likes of Dulwich and, Horsham and Enfield. Three away games on paper are as challenging as you are going to get and controlling games so much, but as I said to the players, we are judged on results and results alone so it’s 4 points in the last four games, and that’s the stat that matters. This young, exciting group excites me as a coach, and we are pushing new boundaries on the training pitches on new patterns and shapes. I honestly think if 80% stayed together and you added 2/3 upgrades next season, they would do something special. I really do. They are a brilliant group of people and players, so it upsets me that they are not winning lots of games so they could get some recognition for the football they are playing, but I understand the game, so if you don’t win, you have played crap. We are not winning games at the moment because I haven’t got it right in one or two key areas. That’s all, but I believe we have some of the best young talent around in this team, and I hope we can finish the season strong.

I just want to say thank you to the Lewes fans who travelled to Oslo with us. This European adventure is just as much about you, the fans, as it is about us, and I’m so glad we all get to share it together and can’t wait for Italy when we get to do it all over again.

Keep up the support today and come on you Rooks!

Tony

Thank you to the fans once again, we appreciate every one of you ♥️ pic.twitter.com/AidtOcWxsd

— Lewes FC Men (@LewesFCMen) March 20, 2024

Please read this message from our main man behind the mic, Ollie Audis!

In the last 4 months I have been training for the Brighton Marathon. 2 weeks tomorrow I will be running in aid of the Sussex based, Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, who provide vital support to children under the age of 5 with motor learning impairments and their families. If you would like to find out more then you can go to their website – https://dvlcc.org.uk/. As they are a small local charity, we would really appreciate any donation as it can help them maintain and progress the exceptional work they do.

If you would like to kindly donate then please follow the link to my JustGiving page – https://www.justgiving.com/page/ollie-audis-runningfordvlcharity?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Follie-audis-runningfordvlcharity&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and Up The Rooks!

Many thanks,

Ollie

• Concord Rangers was officially formed in 1967 by Albert Lant, and originated from a team of boys (including Albert’s son Steve) that played friendly matches during 1966 on a pitch along the Canvey Island seafront close to the Concord Beach, hence the name Concord Rangers. They are therefore quite possibly the only English football team to be specifically named after a beach. The club initially joined the Thundermite Boys’ Football League in 1967, with Albert Lant as manager, before progressing into the Vange and District League in 1973, where the club won several league and cup honours in a six-year period before joining the Mid-Essex League for the 1979–80 season – the club’s first foray into Saturday football. At that time fixtures were played at Waterside Farm, on Canvey Island. The 1978–79 season saw Concord Rangers become the inaugural winners of the Essex Sunday Junior Trophy, defeating Bishop’s Park 4–0 in a game played at Tiptree United. It was not until 1985 that the club secured land in Thames Road, to initially develop the clubhouse and stadium.
• Concord had an impressive start to life at Premier Division level, finishing in eighth place in 2010–11, but this was followed by a lower 14th-place position for 2011–12, before a resurgent 2012–13 campaign saw the team reach the Premier Division play-offs, where they beat Wealdstone 2–1 away from home in the semi-finals, followed by a 2–1 away win at Lowestoft Town in front of a crowd of 2,490, to see the Beach Boys earn promotion to the Conference South for the first time in their history. The Beach Boys were also winners of the Isthmian League Cup for 2012–13, with a 3–2 victory after extra time over Dulwich Hamlet at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium.
• 2013–14 saw Concord have a successful inaugural season at Conference South level, finishing in ninth position, and also winning their first ever Essex Senior Cup, defeating higher-ranked opposition Braintree Town 2–1 at Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Road ground.
• 2014–15 was also another successful season for The Beach Boys, and included many firsts for the club. The club reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, eventually losing 1–0 at home to League Two side Mansfield Town in a replay, after Jordan Chiedozie’s goal had seen the sides draw 1–1 in the initial tie. In the league, the team improved on the previous season’s ninth-place finish by securing seventh place, and also retained the Essex Senior Cup with a 5–0 victory over Billericay Town in the final, again played at Dagenham & Redbridge, and by doing so became the first team in 15 years to win consecutive Essex Senior Cups.
• At the end of the 2014–15 season, long-serving manager Danny Cowley departed the club to become first team manager at National League side Braintree Town, having won three promotions and three cups since his appointment in 2007–08; in the process becoming the most successful manager in the club’s history. His younger brother, and assistant manager Nicky Cowley also moved to Braintree to take up the post of assistant manager, having made 268 appearances for the club as a player, the majority as club captain, before making the switch to a coaching role in late 2014.
• The club reached the final of the 2019–20 FA Trophy, losing 0–1 to Harrogate Town in a final played in May 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 10 May 2021, following the final defeat, Antony Smith stepped down from his role as chairman after twenty one years in the role. A day later, manager Danny Scopes also resigned from his position, with Lee Minshull resigning from his position of assistant manager on 14 May 2021.
• The club’s nine year spell in the sixth tier came to an end in the 2022–23 season, suffering relegation back to the Isthmian League.

Concord League Stats Away From Home:

• Whilst having the fewest amount of goals (10) in the league, Concord have the 6th best defence, conceding only 26 goals.
• Failed to score in 50% of games

RECENT HEAD TO HEAD

2nd Dec 2023	Isthmian Premier League	Concord	4	Lewes	1
9th Feb 2013	Isthmian Premier League	Lewes	0	Concord	3
15th Dec 2012	Isthmian Premier League	Concord	3	Lewes	6

To find out more, please visit: https://branchingoutadventures.co.uk/

For Non League Day, we interviewed fan favourite Ayo Olukoga! Here are Ayo’s thoughts on our European tour and his time so far in Lewes.

‘Doo Doo Doo Ayo Olukoga’ – Ayo, the man of many smiles. You’re one of our longest serving players now, with 92 appearances. How have you found your time at Lewes?

I’d be lying if I said I knew or heard about Lewes prior to joining, but once I came aboard, everything about the club; from the players both past and present, to the management team, to the board and most importantly the fans, has been brilliant.

What was your footballing journey before you arrived in Lewes, and why did you choose the Rooks?

I was a scholar at Dagenham & Redbridge when they were in League 1. I was released, which was when I ruptured my Achilles and was out for a year or so, so I returned to playing after that for Romford. I then joined Cheshunt for a little while before going to East Thurrock. After the pandemic, I was looking for a new team and someone recommended Lewes to me. I had played at the Dripping Pan once before and enjoyed the ground, I knew that Tony and the team had been doing well the seasons before and played some good football so it made a lot of sense to me to come and join the Rooks.

What impact has Tony Russell had on your time here?

Personally I think he’s made me a better player. A wise man once said to me “Fail to prepare then you must Prepare to fail” and I think its the fact that the gaffer as well as the team are making sure they are giving us everything we need to get a win as well as continuing to develop as players.

Two European games at the Dripping Pan. What is the experience of playing in Europe like as a player? Especially when you played in Belgium and Oslo?

It feels like you’re playing in your own “Non-League Champions League”. Every aspiring footballer has dreams of playing in European competitions, so to be part of it is quite exciting. The trip to Belgium was great, the country, culture and the vibes as well as of course getting the 3 pts made the trip all together an unforgettable experience.

What advice can you give to any young Rooks fans who look up to you?

Everyday is an opportunity to learn something because the journey of not only a footballer but life in general isn’t plain sailing. Always keep and listen to the good people around you and Always make sure you enjoy what you do.

ON THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL HISTORY – 23rd MARCH

Keeping it Real in Vigo

If Sky and the Premier League announced a 9pm Saturday night kick off, there would be outrage.  It would be inconceivable that such a kick off slot would be chosen for a local derby or high profile game, with the police wanting to avoid any alcohol fuelled high jinx.  But in Spain, it’s a regular occurrence.  Even when fixtures are set with less than a couple of weeks notice, and with the away fans having no means to return home after the game, it’s accepted by all.

This week’s game saw Celta Vigo host Real Sociedad – a journey from San Sebastián to Vigo of 475 miles each, 7 hours in a car or 7 days walking if you were following the El Camino de Santiago.  Now that’s a fixture change to really kick up a fuss about.

With the freezing weather in England ripping apart the fixture list, and having a free Saturday on the cards, the Football Tourist crystal ball suggested a trip to Galicia, to see Celta Virgo’s game.  Ryanair delivered in terms of decent timed flights at less than £15 and it was game on.  Alas, I had to pass on a second game over the weekend, leaving Danny to go solo to A Coruna for their third tier match on Sunday night against Ponferradina.

But we had the pleasure of a late tapas lunch and then a wander around the compact city centre of Vigo, the setting, as all literature aficionados will know of Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, a challenge for any serious ground hopper to complete in their lifetime.  

The Estadio Municipal de Balaídos is a fair walk out of the centre, as we would find out later when we couldn’t get a taxi post-match.  Owned by the city council, it was initially opened in 1928 and then went through significant redevelopment for the 1982 FIFA World Cup where it hosted Italy’s three group stage games.  In 2017 further redevelopment began, starting by rebuilding one of the end stands, removing the curvature and bringing the fans right up to the action.  The final work will see the Gol end demolished and rebuilt bringing the capacity up to 31,000 but there’s no timescales for that.

Despite over ninety minutes until kick off, the bars around the stadium were rocking.  We chose Nuovo Balaídes, with its walls adorned with Celta scarves, memorabilia and the hub for the requisite bocadillo purchasing for half time.

Celta Vigo hold a number of records in Spanish football.  Alas, none are related to on the field success.  Having the longest running shirt sponsorship deal (Citroen from 1985 to 2016) or 24 years with one kit manufacturer (Umbro) may not populate the trophy cabinet, but means less dusting.  The biggest game in their history came back in 2017 when the club reached the semi-finals of the Europa League against Manchester United – an event still celebrated by the fans with plenty sporting half and half scarves from the game.

The fans piled into the stadium in the last fifteen minutes before kick off, a very English trait but just in time for the lights to dim, the club anthem to begin, cumulating in the teams emerging onto the pitch.  A few hundred Real Sociedad fans were dotted around the game, aside from a hundred or so in the away section.  One strange chap, wearing a paper chef’s hat decided he was trot around the concourse at the top of the away section for the duration of the game.  Nobody knew why but apparently he did this at other games too.

the game was as tight and even as it could be, aside from the final result, with former Celta midfielder Brais Méndez scoring the only goal of the game in the 11th minute, a superb effort from 25 yards.  Celta thought they had scored themselves ten minutes later but the referee deemed that when the Sociedad keeper dropped the ball over the line, he was unfairly challenged by a forward.

Five minutes before the break Sociedad were forced into a substitution, Aihen Muñoz departing on a stretcher with a leg injury, replaced by Scottish International and former Arsenal midfielder Kieran Tierney.

In the 52nd minute Méndez almost had a second but his shot hit the post.  Three minutes later Luca de la Terra forced the visitor’s keeper into a good save.  The Celta fans in the stands behind the goal kept the atmosphere up, willing the team to keep the pressure up but there was no cutting edge.  Up front for Vigo is former Liverpool striker and club legend, Iago Aspas.  At 36 years old he’s not the player he was, understandably but still chased every ball.  But ultimately his efforts fell short.  Sociedad grabbed all three points.

The two sides would meet again on Tuesday night back here at the Balaídos in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.  In the grand scheme of things, the Spanish Cup offers more hope to break the 101 year trophy hoodoo than the league.  

A short, but very sweet trip.  Vigo is a big yes on the Football Tourist map.  Just be prepared for an uphill walk on the way back after the game.

ON THE ROAD TO…FOLKESTONE INVICTA

How was last season?
After another summer of big spending, it came as a surprise to most that Folkestone started off the season so badly.  At the halfway point of the season they sat down in 13^th place and veteran manager Neil Cugley moved upstairs, as the club brought in Roland Edge.  Results improved and for a couple weeks in March they flirted with the play-offs before a poor run of just four points from their final eight games saw them finish in 12^th.  Rumours of upheavals in the board room and numerous high-profile (and high paid) players leaving means it’s uncertain to what this season holds for them.

Isthmian League Premier – 12^th – P 42 W 18 D 5 L 19 GS 73 GA 65 GD +8 PTS 59

• FA Cup – Fourth Qualifying Round – Merthyr Town (A) 1-2
• FA Trophy – Third Qualifying Round – Leiston (H) 1-1 – Lost on penalties 4-1
• Kent Senior Cup – First Round – Cray Valley Paper Mills (A) 1-3
• Isthmian League Cup – Fourth Round – Margate (A) 0-1

When did we last meet Folkestone Invicta?
The Rooks did the double over Invicta last season, albeit in two close games.  At the Pan in November, it ended 3-2 with all five goals coming in the first half.  Joe Taylor gave the Rooks the lead in the 14^th minute only for Robbie Dolan to equalise three minutes later.  The lead lasted barely 60 seconds before Rhys Murrell-Williamson restored the lead.  Taylor added a second before former Rook Ian Draycott made it 3-2 just before the break.

In a stormy affair down at Folkestone Deon Moore was the hero, scoring a 90^th minute winner.  Moore had put Lewes ahead in the 36^th minute only for Scott Heard to equalise in the 73^rd minute.  Ten minutes later Heard was sent off for a late challenge on Ryan Gondoh which infuriated the home fans and bench, but not as much as when Moore netted the winner deep in injury time.

Our last six meetings

W 4 D 1 L 1 GS 6 GA 10

About The Alcaline Stadium
Without a doubt, one of the best Non-League grounds…depending on when you visit.  The steep open terrace at the Cricket Ground end offers superb views of the North Downs and Kent countryside, perfect for the early or late season game.  In the winter it offers little respite from the driving wind and rain.  At the far end is a great six-step terrace with a low roof that allows you to generate a great atmosphere.

The hardcore Invicta fans stand on a terrace behind the dugouts, which also has the Aladdin’s Cave of a programme and memorabilia shop – worth the admission fee on its own.  On the same side in the corner is the changing room block that also has a bar upstairs.  On the entrance side is the main bar and one of the best cafes around, with an imaginative menu and cooked fresh to order.  The area in front is paved and has seats so you don’t miss any of the action whilst waiting. 

The 400 seat Brain Merryman Stand, aka The Grandad’s Stand probably offers the worst views in the ground, and that’s a bit harsh but just shows how good it is elsewhere to watch the game and the countryside.

How to get to The Alcaline Stadium
It’s a fair old trek down to Folkestone Invicta but it is certainly worth the journey.  Head up the A23/M23 then anti-clockwise on the M25.  At junction 5 stay on the road as it becomes the M26.  This will then become the M20 and you need to stay on this until junction 13, then head south onto the A20 (Cherry Garden Avenue). At the traffic lights, turn left onto the A2034 (Cheriton Road), pass the Harvey Grammar School and Stripes club – the ground is next left before Morrisons’ supermarket, opposite the cemetery. Some car parking is available at the ground, with street parking around Cherry Garden Avenue your alternative option.  Journey time for the 100-mile trip is around an hour and a half assuming the traffic is good. 

There is an alternative route cross-country for those averse to the British motorway system that involves following slow-moving vehicles down country lanes which is 40 miles shorter but may take around the same time.

If you are coming by rail then disembark at Folkestone West (Folkestone Central is about same distance from ground). On leaving the station follow Station Road right and take left onto Beachborough Road, then right onto Cheriton Road. The ground is visible on the left-hand side of the road, immediately after the Harvey Grammar School.  It is around a 2-hour slog by train, either up to London Victoria and then out again or via Hampden Park and Ashford International.

Admission at The Alcaline Stadium
Admission last season was £12 for adults, £8 for concessions (senior citizens and students), Under18s £3 and accompanied under 5s are admitted free of charge.  

Fancy a beer?
There’s very few pubs within walking distance of the ground, although there is the Park Inn Hotel opposite Folkestone Central.  However, get into the town centre early and head down to the harbour-side for some excellent offerings on The Stade including The Royal George, The Ship Inn and The Mariner.

Legals and Credits

“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
Chair Trevor Wells
Directors Priscila Aldridge, Tim Bradshaw, Ben Hall, Jen Kerrison, Stan Lahood, Tom McJennett, John Peel, Joe Short, Steve Watts, Trevor Wells,
Chief Executive Officer Maggie Murphy
Club Secretary John Peel
Fan Engagement Manager Shrey Nilvarna
Operations Manager Damian Watts

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 Tony Russell
Assistant manager Joe Vines
First team coach Nathan White
First team physio Toni Miller
Goalkeeping coach Charlie Himbury
Match logistics Vikram Dogra
First Team Performance Analyst Henderson Russell
Under-18s Manager Jon Miller

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

TODAY’S QUIZ ANSWERS

1. Sheffield United were formed at the Adelphi Hotel, Sheffield, by the President of the Sheffield Cricket Club, Sir Charles Clegg. Just six days before their formation Bramall Lane hosted an FA Cup semi-final between Preston and WBA when a crowd of 22,688 paid gate receipts of £558 – the cricket club saw that regular football at the ground would provide an important additional source of income. In future years football became the main sport at the ground with Yorkshire playing their last match there in August 1973.
2. Chelsea’s Vinnie Jones was booked after just 3 seconds for a foul on Sheffield United’s Dane Whitehouse in a First Division match at Stamford Bridge. He later said of the incident “I must have been too high, too wild, too strong or too early, because, after three seconds, I could hardly have been too bloody late!”
3. Southampton’s Matt le Tissier missed a penalty! Not an unusual outcome for any regular penalty-taker you would have thought but for le Tissier that proved to be a unique occasion. Le Tissier spent his entire League playing career at Southampton, where he was known as ‘Le God’, and took 48 penalties and hit the back of the net 47 times. That one miss came on this day in 1993 in Southampton’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at The Dell. Forest ‘keeper Mark Crossley saved the kick
4. England Under 21s met their Italian counterparts in the first match at the new Wembley Stadium in front of a 55,700 crowd. Giampaolo Pazzini scored the first goal after just 29 seconds and went on to score a hat-trick in the 3-3 draw.
5. Ben Pope scored twice in the 3-0 win.