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

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

The warmest of Easter Monday to everyone at the Dripping Pan this afternoon, especially everyone from our near neighbours Whitehawk FC.

Looking at the table one may be forgiven that this game looks like an end of season game between two mid table teams that will be played with as much endeavour as the disgrace of Gijon played between Austria and West Germany in the 1982 World Cup when the ball barely left the centre of the pitch.

You will however be mistaken, this is the Isthmian League East Sussex derby and pride is at stake. The Rooks have already faced off against the Hawks twice this season at the Enclosed Ground with honours even at one game a piece. Both teams will want to win the decider at the Pan.

Here is hoping for a great game and everyone has a grand afternoon.

Come on you Rooks!

Trevor

Happy Easter everyone and welcome to today’s fixture against Whitehawk. Here are my thoughts from our recent game against Folkestone.

The Folkestone game was played on a really tricky surface, so it was always going to be a challenging game, but like many times this season, we shot ourselves in the foot. From a goal kick, we came off plan and that resulted in another soft goal. Something I have said far too much this season. We rallied well after that, with Ola looking threatening down the left-hand side. After creating 2 or 3 half chances from balls in the box, we finally converted one from Ryan Gondoh; after that, we looked the more threatening. Then, out of nothing, the ball comes into the box. We get caught under the ball, and with the ball pinballing around in the box, they scramble it in for another entry into the soft goal of the year. Then came the controversy in the game; we played the ball over the top, and Tyrese is coming back from the an offside position with no attempt to go for the ball. Their defender stopped, and Gondoh ran through. The linesman put up his flag, up the referee, who was standing close to the ball, overruled the linesman and called play on. Gondoh ran through and squared the ball to Ola, who scored, and the ref gave the goal. Then, with their players running around the referee, which I was told at the start of the season can’t happen, the referee speaks to the linesman and rules the goal out. What I can’t understand is if the ref has waved play on because he can see Tyrese isn’t interfering with play, how can he then rule Tyrese offside 2 minutes later? I don’t get it.

The second half was a pretty even contest. Out of nowhere, they got a third from a long ball over the top; we rallied at the end. Gondoh and Marcus were in with the goalie but failed to convert the chance. It wasn’t particularly a great advert for our level of football, but the pitch dictated that. Outside of their goals, I don’t remember Nathan making a save of note, and we probably had the better chances in the game, but we have this amazing ability to find ways of not winning, and that’s on me. I’ve invited these players into our club, and although I’ve no doubt we have some exceptional players, we are just missing a little bit of quality in both boxes, which is infuriating, because outside of that, I don’t think we are far off it. Another frustrating day in the office. We have to pick everyone up for the whitehawk game. Sean will have his side fired up, I have no doubt.

Enjoy the game!

Tony

Goals from Chris Whelpdale and Ola Ogunwamide saw the Rooks come from behind to beat Concord Rangers 2-1 at the Pan on March 23rd.

Tony Russell made several changes to the side that played in Oslo in the Fenix Trophy on Wednesday, with Ogunwamide returning to the side in place of new signing Walter Figueira and Bradley Pritchard captaining the team in the absence of Ronnie Vint.

Lewes saw plenty of the ball early on but it was the visitors who had the first attempt on goal, Frederick Agyemang stinging the palms of Nathan Harvey from the edge of the area.

Concord were handed an excellent chance to take the lead on 19 minutes, as Harrison Day ran in behind Sam Oguntayo before being fouled by the left-back in the area.

Day took the spot-kick himself, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner to put the visitors 1-0 up.

The Rooks could and arguably should have equalised almost immediately, as the unmarked Whelpdale headed an Oguntayo cross wide at the far post.

Ayo Olukoga was the next player to go close for Lewes, guiding a strike from the edge of the area just wide after patient build-up play.

Lewes finally scored the equaliser their pressure had been threatening on 35 minutes, Oguntayo delivering another superb cross from the left which Whelpdale headed back across Mason Terry and into the bottom corner to level the scores.

Whelpdale went close again minutes later, heading a Sanchez Ming cross against the inside of the post before the ball was hacked off the line by a covering defender.

Concord were struggling to keep tabs on Whelpdale, who headed yet another dangerous cross onto the roof of the net before drawing a smart save from Terry with a close-range strike just before half-time.

Lewes remained on the front foot at the start of the second half and took a deserved lead on 58 minutes, as Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala broke free down the left, despite appeals from the visitors that an attempted clearance had struck his arm, and saw his effort saved by Terry, only for Ogunwamide to roll the rebound into the empty net.

With Lewes having only returned from Oslo on Thursday and Concord having played twice during the week due to a fixture backlog, it was perhaps unsurprising that the tempo of the game slowed and there was very little goalmouth action for much of the second half.

The Rooks managed the remainder of the encounter comfortably and came close to adding a spectacular third goal late on, as Marcus Sablier sent a long-range half-volley just wide.

This was a deserved win for Lewes, who will hope to build on it when they welcome Horsham to the Pan on Tuesday, kick-off at 7.45pm.

Lewes: Harvey, Ming, Elliott, Penney, Oguntayo, Olukoga, Pritchard, Sablier, Ogunwamide (Gondoh 84), Lumbombo-Kalala (Figueira 76), Whelpdale (Wood 89).

Unused Subs: Murtagh, Dreher.

Booked: Ming.

Concord Rangers: Terry, Hasley, Martin (Rusoke 46), Steward, Dupray, Allen, Bland, Mbonkwi (Deslandes 54), Agyemang, Day (Desa 61), Ifeanyi.

Unused Subs: Apat, Burton.

Booked: Terry, Dupray.

Attendance: 970

Lewes produced one of their best performances of the 22/23 season to record a 4-1 win at Bognor, despite being reduced to ten men inside the first 15 minutes, reports Tom Harper.

Tony Russell made two changes to the side that drew 3-3 with Herne Bay in their previous game, with Bradley Pritchard and Deon Moore replacing Will Salmon and Jayden Davis in the starting line-up.

Lewes made the best possible start to the game by taking the lead after just two minutes, Ryan Gondoh intercepting a loose pass at the back before finishing past Matt Rowley and into the bottom corner.

The Rooks continued to dominate and doubled their lead on eight minutes, as a Moore cross from the left was only half-cleared by Danny Howick, and Gondoh steered the loose ball beyond Rowley to send the impressive contingent of travelling fans into raptures.

Lewes saw their task made more difficult after 13 minutes when Moore was shown a straight red card for retaliating after a strong challenge from Calvin Davies.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Rooks continued to control the game and create the better chances, with a superb last-ditch challenge from Cameron Black preventing Joe Taylor from adding a third goal when clean through.

Razz Coleman De-Graft was the next player to go close, just missing the target with a powerful 30-yard free-kick.

Taylor went even closer minutes later, winning the ball back midway inside the Bognor half and spotting Rowley off his line before seeing his attempted lob just wide.

After being second best for long periods of the first half, the hosts started the second brightly and pulled a goal back within three minutes of the restart, Nathan Odokonyero controlling a long ball forward before finishing emphatically into the bottom corner.

Lewes could have been forgiven for sitting back and trying to protect their lead at this stage, but they remained on the front foot and continued to look for more goals.

They scored a third goal just before the hour-mark, Taylor seeing a volley from a Gondoh cross saved by Rowley before regaining possession and beating the goalkeeper at his near post.

The travelling fans were in full voice, roaring the Rooks forward and the players were responding, moving the ball comfortably and looking capable of increasing their lead further.

It took a fine save from Rowley to keep the hosts in the game, as he dived to his left to turn a De-Graft free-kick round the post.

The resulting corner, also taken by De-Graft, hit the arm of Harvey Whyte, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot.

Taylor took the penalty, sending Rowley the wrong way to make it 4-1 on 67 minutes.

The final quarter of the game passed with very little goalmouth action, although the previously untroubled Lewis Carey had to be alert to deny Odokonyero a second goal with a smart save.

Lewes saw out the closing stages comfortably and came close to adding a fifth goal late on, Tyrique Hyde forcing Rowley into action at his near post after latching onto a Rhys Murrell-Williamson through-ball.

The final whistle was greeted by jubilant celebrations among the travelling supporters, with results elsewhere meaning the Rooks still have a chance of securing a play-off place heading into the final two games of the season.

Lewes welcome Haringey Borough to the Pan for their final home game of the season on Saturday, kick-off at 3pm.

Bognor Regis Town: Rowley, Davies (Kastrati 68), Rabbetts, Dockerell (Whyte 46), Black, Howick, McCormick, De St Croix (Figeuria 76), Odokonyero, Paterson, Bridgman.

Unused Subs: Briffa, Robson.

Booked: Rowley, Davies, McCormick.

Lewes: Carey, Olukoga, Champion, Mundle-Smith (Salmon 88), De-Graft, Young, Pritchard (Tamplin 90), Hyde, Gondoh (Murrell-Williamson 77), Moore, Taylor.

Unused Subs: Hall, Huckle.

Booked: De-Graft, Hyde, Taylor.

Sent off: Moore.

Attendance: 678 (Approximately 100 Rooks)

• The club was founded as the Second World War ended in 1945 as Whitehawk & Manor Farm Old Boys FC. The original name refers to the local boys’ club, whose members wanted to carry on playing football together but were too old to play in the boys’ club league. Ron Powell, Stan Butcher, Ray Anderson and the Boys’ Club committee held the meeting to found the club at Whitehawk Senior Boys’ School in the summer of 1945.
• Ron Powell entered the team in the Brighton Junior Cup for their first season. His fellow founder Bert Brown began as a player and was later the club’s first trainer. Ron Powell held the joint positions of secretary and treasurer – which he did for many years – and Stan Butcher was originally a player.
• The club’s name was changed to Whitehawk FC for the start of the 1958-59 season.
• The club finally achieved the league title success, winning the Sussex County League Division 1 in 2009–10 under our former youth player Darren Freeman, to gain promotion to the Isthmian League Division One South for the first time. The Hawks also reached the semi-final of the FA Vase, losing 4-1 on aggregate to Wroxham of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division.
• In their first season at the new level Whitehawk were in the title race but eventually had to settle for third place and the end-of-season play-offs against Leatherhead. The game at The Enclosed Ground ended 1–1 but the visitors won 4–3 on penalties. The Hawks completed a league and cup double the following season 2011–12, finishing as Isthmian League Division One South champions as well as lifting the Sussex Senior Cup after beating Crawley Down 2–1 at the Amex. Sam Gargan scored a late winner. They followed this up later by winning the 2012 Sussex Community Shield in August, with a 4–1 win against Three Bridges. The club had planned to play the 2012–13 season at the Withdean Stadium in order to redevelop The Enclosed Ground but this was blocked by the Isthmian League, who were concerned that the club would not return to East Brighton.
• The club achieved back to back promotions in the 2012–13 season, again under Darren Freeman, by winning the Isthmian League Premier Division at the first attempt to earn a place in the Conference South.
• The club enjoyed their most successful season ever in 2014–15, finishing fourth in Conference South and earning a place in the play-off semi-finals against Basingstoke Town. After a 1–1 draw at the Enclosed Ground, a tremendous strike from fans’ player of the year Jake Robinson in the second leg won the match 1–0 to earn a place in the final against Boreham Wood, who had finished second in the league. The play-off final finished 1–1 in normal time, with the Hawks missing a chance in the final minutes of normal time.  An extra time winner for Wood denied the Hawks what would have been their fourth promotion in six seasons. Whitehawk completed the season with a 5–0 victory over Lewes at the Amex Stadium to lift the Sussex Senior Cup in front of a crowd of 2,585.
• With the club at the bottom of the league after picking up only one point from the first seven games of the 2017–18 season, Dack resigned, with player-coach Dan Harding taking temporary charge, prior to the re-appointment of former boss Steve King on 13 September 2017. Despite only winning their first game of the season on 1 January 2018, 4-1 at Eastbourne Borough, a remarkable turnaround from the new year onwards almost saved the club from relegation. The Hawks were third in the form table from January to April but relegation for only the third time in the club’s history was confirmed with a 4–3 defeat at Braintree Town on 17 April, having led 3-2 with 10 minutes to go.
• King departed at the end of the season to be replaced by Hawks successful U18 manager Jude Macdonald. The nucleus of the Hawks team, including captain David Ijaha, left to join King at Welling United. Striker Gold Omotayo moved into the football league with Bury.
• The Hawks suffered back-to-back relegations, dropping into the Isthmian South East Division for the 2019-20 season and after a poor start to the 2020-21 season, former goalkeeper Ross Standen was appointed manager, with Stuart Tuck as his assistant. In January 2022, Billie Clark was signed by Brighton & Hove Albion after 11 first team appearances.
• Whitehawk born Shaun Saunders took over as manager shortly before the end of the 2021-22 season, with the team in its lowest league position since promotion from the county league in 2010.
• The following season Shaun’s new side and brand of football saw the crowds and the feel good factor return as they won promotion back to the Isthmian Premier League after a 1-0 play-off final win against Hythe Town. Charlie Harris scored the decisive goal in front of over 1400 spectators.

Charlie Walker

Charlie re-signed for the Hawks in July 2023 after Eastbourne Borough turned full-time.

In 2012-13 Charlie made 10 league and cup appearances, scoring 6 times as the Hawks won the Isthmian Premier League. He originally signed for the Hawks on dual reg from Lancing in January 2012.

He then had a prolific season under Shaun Saunders at Peacehaven as they won the Isthmian South, scoring 43 league and cup goals and earning himself a move into league football at Luton Town.

Charlie came on as a sub in extra time for Boreham Wood in the NLS play-off final win against the Hawks in 2015. He also played against the Hawks for St Albans City.

Walker has 19 goals in all competitions so far this season for the Hawks.

RECENT HEAD TO HEAD

26th Dec 2023	Isthmian Premier League	Whitehawk	1	Lewes	2
18th Nov 2023	FA Trophy	Whitehawk	3	Lewes	1
2nd Mar 2019	Isthmian Premier League	Lewes	1	Whitehawk	3
23rd Oct 2018	Isthmian Premier League	Whitehawk	0	Lewes	1

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

ON THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL HISTORY – 1st APRIL

Friday Night Lights, Irish style

Friday night football is an established “thing” in Northern Ireland.  A few of the Premiership teams, notably the champions Larne and Newry City favour a Friday night under the lights as their preferred game day, whilst every week BBC Northern Ireland show a game live.  For anyone wanting to grab a couple of games, and still be home for last orders on a Saturday, there is no better league to sample.

And here’s a level of sensibility that leagues around the world could copy.  Every adult ticket, for every game, at every club is £13.  No categorisation of games, no variable pricing strategies.  £13.  Tonight, my ticket for the game against Cliftonville was £13.  Tomorrow’s Ballymena United v Loughgall is £13.  Now, if that isn’t an incentive to come and watch a game, then what is?  Alas, competition from England still looms large – with the Tottenham Hotspur versus Manchester City FA Cup tie on domestic TV, many will decide to stay at home rather than venture out for either of the two games kicking off on Friday night.

Having had a week of family time in Centerparcs, I took leave and headed across the Irish Sea and ended up in Carrickfergus, sitting on the north shore of Belfast Lough, with the lights of the city twinkling away in the distance.  It is County Antrim’s oldest town and one of the oldest towns in Ireland as a whole.  Carrickfergus Castle, built in the late 12th century at the behest of Anglo-Norman knight John de Courcy, was the capital of the Earldom of Ulster. After the earldom’s collapse, it remained the only English outpost in Ulster for the next four centuries.  Probably why you can still buy Marmite and HP Sauce in the shops here.

The town’s team, Carrick Rangers, started life as a merger between two local sides called Barn Mills and Bubbles.  I can’t imagine playing for the latter was an easy task.  They moved into Taylors Avenue in the 1950s and has been their home ever since. It has gone through significant modernisation in the last decade or so, as part of the Irish Football Association’s ground accreditation programme.  In 2011, when they were first promoted to the new IFA Premiership, they had to groundshare with Crusaders, and again in 2016. 

The club’s one honour was the 1975-76 Irish Cup where they pulled off a major shock in beating Linfield.  The victory meant they qualified for the then European Cup Winners Cup the following season, beating Aris from Luxembourg 4-3 on aggregate before a 9-3 defeat over two legs against Southampton.

Last year the cup took a potential major step to becoming more of a force in Irish football when Estee Lauder’s Chief Information Officer, Michael Smith, bought the company.  Quite why a US C-Level executive would want to invest in a mid-table Northern Irish club is a mystery but with local rivals Larne’s impressive progress from 2^nd division side to Champions in just a couple of seasons a fine example of what outside investment can do, both on and off the pitch.

The focal point of the ground is the Main Stand, sitting astride of the halfway line, whilst the newest addition to the ground has been the part seated West Stand, where, if the following is sizeable, the away fans are located.

For the visit of Cliftonville, the whole end was allocated to them and there was the unusual sight of there being more away fans in the ground than home ones.  Most of the home support stood alongside the pitch, with a low wall separating them from the action.  The Irish trend of having a group of very young, noisy fans was very present at Taylors Avenue, never letting up in their support of the Amber Army.

The VIP guests, possibly even Michael Smith himself, were located on the far side of the ground, the home of various multi-level portacabins and temporary structures.  They would certainly have a good view of proceedings but in a very sterile environment.  Whilst the club’s ground is more than adequate for their current needs, that side of the ground sticks out as really needing investment, or at least some proper changing rooms, media facilities and a decent spot for their guests.

It wasn’t the best of games, with the strong wind causing issues for both the players and the fans, who couldn’t warm to the game.  In the first 45 minutes the highlight was probably the cup of tea I had, with neither keeper really being tested.  It did get better in the second half.  Cliftonville’s Shea Kearney hit the post from close range, whilst at the other end Danny Gibson’s shot was spilled by the Cliftonville keeper.

With 30 seconds left of the four additional minutes at the end of the game to be played, Cliftonville had a free kick on the right-hand side.  The ball was delivered inch-perfectly by Sean Stewart to the far post where Odhran Casey jumped the highest and headed home.  Cue the wild celebrations as fans spilled onto the pitch at one end, whilst the Carrick Rangers fans headed for the exit.  It was a real kick in the teeth but a goal that perhaps sums up the two sides respective seasons – Cliftonville not knowing when to give up, Carrick Rangers letting their concentration slip for a few seconds.

The win kept the pressure on Linfield and Larne at the top of the table, their sixth victory in a row, and extending their unbeaten run to 12, their last defeat coming in the game I saw at Larne.  Carrick Rangers remain in 6^th place, still in the play-off spots for the Conference League spot.  But there’s still a long way to go and if Carrick Rangers want to have that shot at Europe once more, they will have to keep focused right up until the final whistle.

I followed a small crowd back towards the town centre along the edge of the Lough, the impressive Carrickfergus Castle lit by the full moon.  I resisted the calls from the aging sirens outside Dobbins Inn, and the lure of cheap beer in Wetherspoons, heading back to my hotel on the quayside where the whistle sails and clanging bells of the boats welcomed me home.

ON THE ROAD TO…CHESHUNT

How was last season?
After coming up on the rails at the end of the 2021/22 season and winning promotion via the Play-offs, Cheshunt got off to a perfect start with a 3-2 win at home on the opening day of the new season against Hampton & Richmond Borough.  Alas, it was to be their last point for 11 games.  Unsurprisingly, they sat firmly rooted to the bottom of the table until December when they won three consecutive games, including beating Ebbsfleet United 1-0. Unfortunately, it was the lack of goals that was their undoing, scoring just 6 goals in their last 11 games of the season.

Craig Edwards will no doubt build a solid team now they are back in the Isthmian Premier League but will they have enough to bounce back to Step 2.

National League South – 23^rd – P 46 W 11 D 10 L 25 GS 48 GA 74 GD -26 PTS 43

• FA Cup – Third Qualifying Round – Kidderminster Harriers (H) 1-2
• FA Trophy –  Second Round – Peterborough Sports (A) 2-3
• Herts Senior Cup – Third Round – Hitchin Town (H) 0-2

When did we last meet Cheshunt?
It’s only been a season since we faced the Ambers as we were both on the hunt for a play-off spot.  In August 2021 we shared four second half goals, and finished with ten men as Tom Carsle was shown a second yellow in injury time.  Razz Coleman De-Graft opened the scoring in the 52^nd minute before Ken Charles equalised with 13 minutes to play.  Joe Taylor looked to have given us all 3 points with his 84^th minute goal but an 88^th minute equaliser from Reece Beckles-Richards gave both sides a share of the points.

It was a similar story in April 2022 with the Rooks coming from behind (that man Beckles-Richards having scored a 24^th minute penalty) thanks to a first half double from Joe Taylor.  However, Kenny Yao picked up two dubious yellow cards in less than 90 seconds and saw red.  Mo Kamara equalised for the home side with 15 minutes to play, with both sides needing a win but it ended all square.

Our last six  four meetings

W 1 D 2 L 1 GS 7 GA 10

About The Cheshunt Stadium
Whilst the club owners have ambitious plans for the ground, converting into a residential/leisure hub built around the football pitch, they are still some way away from realising the dream.  Facilities are adequate for Step 3 but there’s nothing that stands out about the ground. 

There’s a few small stands dotted around the ground, the biggest of which straddles the half way line on the club house side of the ground.  On the opposite side is an old, seated stand, which is out of bounds.

How to get to The Cheshunt Stadium
From the M25 motorway exit at Junction 25 taking the A10 (Great Cambridge Road) north following signs for Hertford. At the first roundabout take the third exit following signs for Cheshunt/Waltham Cross A121 (Winston Churchill Way). At the next roundabout take the first exit following signs for Cheshunt B176 (High Street). Continue under the Railway Bridge and turn left at the next mini roundabout into Theobalds Lane. Cheshunt Stadium is 800 yards on the right hand side. The ground has a car park with spaces for 200+ vehicles.

Theobalds Grove Station is a five minute walk away on the corner of the High Street and Theobalds Lane and enjoys a half hourly service to & from Seven Sisters (Victoria Line) and Liverpool Street. Please note that Cheshunt Station is not the nearest station to the ground although train services from Liverpool Street are quicker, it is a thirty minute walk/ £10 taxi ride.

Admission at The Cheshunt Stadium
Admission this season is £14 for adults, £8 for concessions (senior citizens, students and Under18s), and accompanied under 16s are £1.  

Fancy a beer?
Cheshunt isn’t blessed with many pubs – in fact you can count them on one hand, with three fingers tied together.  The Vine on Winston Churchill Way is marginally better than the Wetherspoon’s offering, The Moon and Cross.  Maybe a better option is to have a beer in London before jumping on the train to Theobalds Grove.

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, Jen Kerrison, Tom McJennett, Joe Short, Stan Lahood, Steve Watts, John Peel, Trevor Wells, Ben Hall
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. Leicester City opened their new stadium in July 2002 and on this day in 2006 the record attendance figure was set at the stadium – by the local rugby club! A crowd of 32,488 were present at the ground – then called the Walkers Stadium – for a Heineken Cup quarter-final between Leicester Tigers and Bath. The best Leicester City have managed for one of their games was 32,242 in the Premier League against Sunderland on August 8th 2015 – their first match in their amazing title winning season – with less seats being available at football matches because of the need for crowd segregation.
2. There was shock when The Sun newspaper reported that Alex Ferguson had agreed to become Life President of the Referees Association. Fergie never had an easy relationship with match officials but the Manchester United manager was reported to have accepted the role in an effort to end his long-running feud with the officials. Under the terms of his appointment, he promised to serve as an ambassador for all referees and their assistants and would try not to criticise their performances after matches. Then the date was noticed!
3. The match that never was. The Division 4 match between Scunthorpe and Exeter was called off by Exeter, without Football League permission, as they did not have enough fit players to raise a team. The Football League awarded the two points to Scunthorpe (and Exeter were fined) but the match was not ordered to be played. It was the first time in Football League history that a match remained unplayed at the conclusion of a season.
4. Jermaine Pennant became the first player to turn out in the Premier League wearing an electronic ankle-tag. He was required to wear one after being released from prison after 31 days of a three-month sentence for drink driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. Ref Howard Webb allowed him to turn out at St Andrew’s for Birmingham against Spurs (Pennant was on loan from Arsenal at the time) but not so happy about that decision was The Campaign Against Drink Driving who voiced their serious disapproval.
5. A very rare Steve Brinkhurst goal