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

You get:
– Matches LIVE streamed
– One share/one vote
– Discounts in Lewes & online
– Downloadable Share Certificate, Owner’s App and Gift Box

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

The warmest of Lewes welcomes to all the players, officials and supporters of Brentwood. I can’t be at the game myself as my daughter is getting married but I hope it is a great afternoon at the Pan.

This week has already been a big week for the town of Lewes with our world famous bonfire celebrations but the excitement continues this afternoon as we entertain Brentwood Town at the Pan. Brentwood sit at the top of the league and Lewes are firmly nestled in mid table in eleventh place. However, the form guide paints a slightly different picture with Brentwood in 15th place and Lewes 17th based on the last six matches.

In the last two matches Lewes have picked up 4 points which is 66.7% of the points available. So far this season we have amassed 18 points of the 42 available from our first 14 games. There is still a massive 84 points to play for this season. If we can continue recent form and pick up two thirds of those points we would gather an additional 56 points leaving us with a total of 74 points which would be a decent return for the season.

With many home games left the Rooks support have a huge part to play for the remainder of the season so please turn up in your numbers and get behind Pitts and the team. The future can be bright and the future can be red and black.

Lets hope at the end of bonfire week we get a banger of a game.

Come on you Rooks!

Trevor

Pitts praises persistence to pick up point

The gaffer spoke to the club immediately following our 1-1 draw away at Cray Valley PM last Saturday; he praised the squad for their resistance and grit to bring a point back after going behind to the South London outfit. He praised substitutes Billie Clark, Charlie Walker, and Jordan Maguire-Drew for the way they changed the game, and spoke about the new signings brought in to strengthen the squad. You can see the interview here:

🗣️Craig on our 1-1 draw away to Cray Valley pic.twitter.com/BIyVCrOrJV

— Lewes FC Men (@LewesFCMen) November 1, 2025

Louis Rogers: Rogers joined the Rooks from Hastings United in summer 2025. Known for his sharp reflexes and excellent shot-stopping ability, he spent several years as first-choice keeper at Hastings, playing a key role in their promotion push. Louis brings leadership, composure, and a commanding presence to the Lewes backline as he steps up to the Isthmian Premier League once again.

Ryan Bernal: An athletic right back, Bernal joins the Rooks after impressing in the Combined Counties League. Quick and confident going forward, Ryan provides attacking width while maintaining strong defensive discipline. A promising addition to the squad, he will look to make the right flank his own.

Clement Asiedu: Left back Asiedu is a young, dynamic defender with an eye for joining the attack. A product of the Volenti Academy he represented Crystal Palace as a youth player. Clem joined Cray Valley PM after a breakout season at Horsham YM.

Jack Burchell: A ball-playing centre back, 21-year-old defender Burchell came through the academy at Watford before joining Eastbourne Borough in October 2022, going on to play 26 times in the Vanarama National League South under Danny Bloor in 2022/23. He joined the Welling in July 2023 after impressing on trial during pre-season and proved to be a mainstay in defence, playing a vital part in the side’s successful survival bid in 2023/24.

Jamie Watson: Jamie is a solid, aerially strong centre-half who brings experience in defence despite being only 24; a product of the Bromley academy, Jamie has also spent time at Alfreton in the National League North, as well as Tonbridge Angels, who he joins from on a dual-registration basis.

Olly Hamstead: Olly is another young defender rising through the ranks, joining the Rooks from Carshalton where he has had two spells. Olly started his career at Chipstead, before moving on to Burgess Hill and Kingstonian where he was a commanding force in those back lines. Tall, strong, and a calm presence on the ball, Olly is a great example of a modern centre-half.

Tito Salaam: Tito joins the Rooks on a dual-registration contract with Sutton United, where he hopes to gain some experience in first-team football. standing six-foot-four at just 19, Salaam has shown himself to be a solid physical force in the Rooks backline.

Antonio Morgan: A young up-and-coming full-back, Morgans joins the Rooks from Tonbridge Angels where he played under current gaffer Pitts for a time. Antonio is fast, direct, and tricky on the ball, and has displayed enough talent to earn several call ups for the Antigua & Barbuda national team.

Arezki Hamouchene: A tricky left-sided player with flair and pace, Hamouchene spent 14 years with Millwall, joining their youth setup at 7 years old. Spent the 24/25 season with Cray Wanderers and Erith Town from whom he joins the Rooks.

Jabari Christmas: A creative midfielder with flair and vision, Christmas was a product of the renowned Kinetic Academy and featured for QPR U18’s before joining Chatham. His ability to unlock defences and strike from distance gives the Rooks another option in central areas.

Perri Iandolo: A technically gifted central midfielder, Perri spent his formative years with Maidstone.  Perri is known for his range of passing and ability to dictate tempo in midfield and most recently played with club legend Bradley Pritchard at Phoenix Sports.

Devonte West: Operating on the right flank, West is a young, powerful winger with explosive pace and a keen eye for goal. A product of the London grassroots scene, Devonte joins us from Hollands & Blair and adds an exciting dimension to the Rooks’ attacking play.

Billie Clark: A right-sided midfielder or winger, Clark joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 before moving on to Reading in August 2023. Comfortable hugging the touchline or drifting inside, Billie offers pace and a dangerous delivery from wide areas.

Parish Muirhead: Returning to the club after a spell at Carshalton Athletic, Muirhead is a strong and tempo-dictating central midfielder, known for his game knowledge and passing ability. Parish has experience working under manager Craig Nelson and has earned several call-ups to the Grenada National Team.

Tyler Christian-Law: Tyler joined the Rooks in November, and is a vastly experienced midfielder at this level and above, with the 32 year old having spells with Braintree, Wealdstone, Potters Bar, Hornchurch, and most recently Dartford whom he joins from. A commanding presence in midfield, Tyler brings stability to the Rooks’ spine.

Kaan Bennett: A clinical centre forward, Bennett is known for his movement and finishing ability. Kaan was a product of the Colchester United youth system before serious injury halted his progress. Kaan’s intelligent positioning and eye for goal make him a key figure in Lewes’ frontline.

Jordan Maguire-Drew: A marquee signing for the Rooks, Maguire-Drew is a creative forward who started his career at Brighton & Hove Albion and went on to feature for Lincoln City, Leyton Orient, and Grimsby Town. Known for his technical ability and set-piece prowess, Jordan brings EFL experience and proven quality to Lewes’ attacking options.

Charlie Walker: Walker is a vastly experienced striker, and joins the Rooks as a number 9 outlet. Walker is no stranger to the professional game, having played for Luton Town in his career, as well as spells at Eastbourne Borough, Boreham Wood, Aldershot, and two spells with Whitehawk. Walker notched up 21 goals in 71 league games with the Hawks before joining Lewes, and will hope to continue that form.

More Rooks Reinforcements

Lewes FC are pleased to welcome new signings Olly Hamstead and Tyler Christian-Law to the club. Both players signed on last week and have made their debuts, both starting in the 1-1 draw away to Cray Valley PM. Tyler joins us from Dartford with a wealth of experience at this level and higher, as the 32-year-old has had spells with Braintree, Wealdstone, and Hornchurch in steps above the Rooks. Olly joins us from Carshalton, having previously played for Burgess Hill, Kingstonian, and two spells with the Robins before linking up with Pitts. Welcome Tyler and Olly!

We can also confirm that striker Charlie Walker is in fact still with the Rooks. Upon reviewing squad options, Nelson decided to reverse the previous management’s decision to release Walker. Charlie repaid that decision by scoring off the bench last week against Cray Valley, earning a point for the Rooks in the process.

Young Rooks on the march

Congratulations to the Lewes U18s for their superb start to their season, the highlight of which was a 6-0 thrashing of old foes Bognor Regis Town last Thursday. The young Rooks currently sit top of the table in the Isthmian U18 South division, winning all three of their opening games, beating Chichester City 4-1, and Horsham 2-0. The U18 games are played on Thursday nights, so why not come down and support the lads as they hopefully continue this superb start?

Brentwood Town FC

• A Brentwood Football Club was founded in the 19th century – a club that reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in 1886 before losing to eventual-winners Blackburn Rovers.
• In 1965, Brentwood changed their name to Brentwood Town, kickstarting a joyous period for the club, reaching the third round proper of the FA Cup. However, following this, the club folded and merged with Chelmsford City
• The current club was founded in 1954 under the name Manor Athletic, however, they changed their name to Brentwood Athletic after Brentwood Town were dissolved. Eventually, in 1974, they became known as just Brentwood.
• The club won its first Essex Senior League title in 2001, before changing its name one final time to the current Brentwood Town in 2004.
• The Blues won promotion to the Isthmian League Division One North in 2006-07 after winning the Essex Senior League for the second time as well as the League Cup.
• In 2008-09, Brentwood Town qualified for the play-offs after finishing third. However, they lost 4-1 at home to Waltham Abbey. The club qualified for the play-offs again two seasons later, this time losing 3-2 to Wingate & Finchley in the final.
• At the third time of asking, in 2014-15, the Blues finally went up through the play-offs with a convincing 5-0 win over Thurrock in the final after finishing 4th in the league. However, their time in the Isthmian Premier did not last long as Brentwood were immediately relegated back to Division One North.
• In 2021-22, the Blue finished 3rd, again qualifying for the play-offs, in which they lost on penalties to Canvey Island in the final. Play-off qualification was achieved again in 2023-24 with a 5th place finish, but again, they lost the final in a penalty shootout, this time to Bowers & Pitsea.
• Finally, last season Brentwood became Division One North champions and after a long wait, are back in the Premier Division for this season. This season, Brentwood have shocked everyone as they currently sit top of the league with 32 points from 15 games. We can expect the Blues to play at their usual best as they will be eyeing up automatic promotion to the National League South.

Daniel Ogunleye

Daniel Ogunleye joined Brentwood in the summer of 2023 and has massively impressed for the club. The forward netted 43 goals last season and was a catalyst for the Blues as they won the Division One North title. This season he already has eight league goals and is joint third for the golden boot. Ogunleye will be aiming to fire Brentwood to back-to-back promotions so expect him to be a threat this afternoon.

Sat 19 Mar 2016	Ryman Premier	Brentwood	0-1	Lewes	Att. 111
Sat 19 Sep 2015	Ryman Premier	Lewes	1-5	Brentwood	Att. 440
Tue 30 Oct 2012	FA Cup (Replay)	Lewes	0-3	Brentwood	Att. 335
Sat 27 Oct 2012	FA Cup	Brentwood	3-3	Lewes	Att. 118

The Blues haven’t come to town in almost a decade, so this generally poor record against them is not exactly useful information, but it’s fun to look back on old times (so they say). Our last clash against the Essex side was our only victory, a tidy 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Henry Muggeridge. Also featuring in the Rooks XI that day were some all-timer names like Leon Redwood, Stacey Freeman, James Hammond, and Ronnie Conlon; good times, indeed. This fixture has a trend that seemingly favours the away side, so hopefully that changes this afternoon so the Rooks can continue this new vein of form under Pitts.

HOME

Wow, almost offensively boring. Boring design, boring sponsor, I don’t even have any fun facts or witty remarks to make about this one, it’s just a shirt. Honestly quite impressive. 4/10

AWAY

The same, but orange. Truly one of the kits of all time. 4/10

To Wingate and Finchley

Who are they?: Wingate and Finchley are based in North London, and are stalwarts in this division. In fact, they are the only team to remain in this league longer than the Rooks themselves (and Carshalton, since both teams got promoted at the same time). The Blues (common nickname, that) are currently in a dogged season, fighting relegation, so will be up for a scrappy game when the Rooks come to visit.

How do we get there?: The nearest train, or tube in this case, station to the ground is West Finchley, being a 20 minute (1.2km) walk away. The club also recommend East Finchley as an option, being slightly further away but offering buses closer to the ground.

What’s around?: The Millers play out of the Maurice Rebak stadium in Finchley (but not Wingate), with a capacity of 2638, with 500 seated. The ground is named after co-founder Maurice Rebak, who was honoured with the name change when he passed in 2016. On the way to the ground, any travelling contingent have a few options for refreshments; The King of Prussia and The Bohemian are the two pubs I’ve seen most recommended, but I will also throw The Bald Faced Stag on the list purely because I like the name.

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 Trevor Wells, John Peel, Stan Lahood, Jim Cheek, Roger Warner, Ben Hall, Lisa Emery
Club Secretary John Peel

COO Kelly Lindsey
Fan Engagement Manager Shrey Nilvarna
Social Media Team Stan Lahood, Tom Mason, Daniel Lloyd, Luke Underhill, Joe Warsop-Davies

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 Craig Nelson
First team Coach Elyon Marshall-Katung
Goalkeeping Coach Sheikh Ceesay
Under-18s Manager Dale Hurley

Golden Rook Rob Read
Web Editor Shrey Nilvarna

Progcast Editors Stan Lahood, Harvey Lock, Charlie Sundaram

Club Photographer James Boyes