Welcome to The Dripping Pan for today’s FA Cup match against Crystal Palace.

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Lewes FC Women 2025/26

Hello and welcome to the Dripping Pan to see the Lewes face WSL 2 side Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Third Round

It’s the big one! Emma’s team take on the Eagles in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. Coverage is also live on TNT Sports.

#EqualFACup

Lewes Midfielder Paula Howells has written a heart-felt letter outlining the reasons why we need an Equal FA Cup.

Dear Key Members of the FA Board and Women’s Professional Leagues Limited,

We write on behalf of women’s and men’s players across the country – women striving at every level of the game and men competing throughout the lower league system – to raise an issue that directly affects our game, our clubs, and the future of the sport we love: the need for equal FA Cup prize money – true parity between the men’s and women’s competitions.

As players, we experience first-hand what the FA Cup represents: opportunity, ambitions, and the belief that any team can dream big. Yet the current disparity in prize money send a message that the dreams of women and girls hold less value. We know that this is not the message the FA intends to send, nor the legacy any of us want to leave behind.

For many women’s clubs, FA Cup prize money is not a bonus: it is essential support that funds coaching, medical provision, facilities, travel, and youth development. Equal prize money would strengthen the entire women’s football pyramid, giving clubs the stability and resources needed to grow the game with integrity and professionalism.

Our vision is a more equal distribution across the whole pyramid – men and women – because a healthier, fairer system uplifts every level of the game.L lower-league clubs on both sides of the pyramid benefit from proper redistribution, and importantly, many players who do not remain in men’s or women’s professional academies ultimately build their careers in lower-league football. We must care for them too, and build an ecosystem that prioritises player welfare, safeguarding, development, and the long-term growth of football for young people in all our communities.

The women’s game has made remarkable strides in recent years – record attendances, rising visibility, and a growing national appetite for our sport. This progress is the result of dedication from players, staff, volunteers, and supports who believe deeply in the power and potential of women’s football, we ask the FA to match that belief by ensuring its most historic competition reflects true parity.

Equal prize money is not only a financial correction – it is a statement of principle. It affirms that the achievements, ambitions, and hard work of female footballers are valued equally. It shows every girl watching, playing, or dreaming that the pathway ahead is respected and invested in at every level.

We believe the FA has a unique opportunity to lead with purpose and set a standard for equity across a global sport. We therefore urge the professional game board to support and implement equal FA Cup prize money for the women’s competition and for earlier rounds in the men’s competition.

We invite the FA professional game board and the WPLL to meet with us – players, clubs, and representatives across the pyramid – to ensure redistribution happens in a way that strengthens the entire football ecosystem and helps build a more equitable, responsible, and resilient national game for all.

Thank you for your time, your stewardship of the game, and your commitment to shaping a fairer future for football.

Message from The Chairman

A very warm welcome to everyone at the Dripping Pan this afternoon especially our guests from Crystal Palace.

Everyone knows we love the excitement of an FA Cup tie at the Pan. Many of you will still have vivid memories of Emily Kraft lobbing the ball over Mary Earps’ head to put us back in the quarter final match against Man United or Ellie Mason scoring for of the six goals we put past Cardiff City (now Gwalia) on the cup run that preceded that quarter final. Others will have different memories of our varied cup campaigns of yesterday year.

Back in the past the prize money for the Women’s FA Cup 3rd round winner was £1,250, today things have improved with a prize pot of £35,000 on offer to the winners. However when you compare this with the Men’s FA Cup, when the women played for a prize of £1,250 the men would win £61,500 for the same achievement. And whilst the prize money for the women has increased by almost £34,000 the prize money on offer to men winning the 3rd round has increased by almost £55,000 to £115,000.

It makes me think what planet the FA are living on as they could make a bold statement with a stroke to make the beautiful game, the fair and equitable game but still they drag their heels. It seems that the same prejudices that existed in 1921 still prevail in the corridors of power at the FA.

Back to this afternoon’s game, let’s hope for a great match with all the excitement and jeopardy of the FA Cup. Bring your ‘hello mum’ (or dad if mum is already at the game) posters to be picked up by the TV cameras and let’s show the watching world what a great experience a game at the Pan most definitely is.

Come on you Rooks!

Trevor

LEWES FC SQUAD LIST

Manager Emma Byrne
GK Coach and Analyst Leah Samain
Sports Therapist Joshua Essex
Performance Coach Daniella Da Silva
Head of Women’s Football Lynne Burrell
Operations and Fan Engagement Manager Shrey Nilvarna
Performance Lead Ivi Casagrande

CRYSTAL PALACE SQUAD LIST

Assistant Referee 1 – Katie Allen

Assistant Referee 2 – Man Wong

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 FA Women’s National League South 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 Trevor Wells
Directors Ben Hall, John Peel, Stan Lahood, Tom McJennett, Joe Short, Steve Watts, Trevor Wells.

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 Emma Byrne
GK Coach and Analyst Manager Leah Samain
Head of Women’s Football Lynne Burrell

COO Kelly Lindsey
Fan Engagement & Operations Shrey Nilvarna
Facilities Manager Damien Watts

Golden Rook Rob Read

Web Editors Shrey Nilvarna
Progcast Editors Clare Boden
Club Photographer James Boyes & Cecily