Welcome to The Dripping Pan for this afternoon’s Isthmian League Premier game versus St Albans City. Here is your complimentary e-programme.
CONTENTS
1. Notes from the Chair – Trevor Wells
2. Nelson’s Column
3. The Squad – See the Players
4. Club Updates
5. The Visitors – St Albans City
6. One to Watch?
7. Head to Head
8. Kit Clash
9. On the Road… to Billericay Town
10. Legals and Credits
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/
Welcome back to the Pan everyone, it has been a long time since the Men’s team has had a home game so it is especially nice to be back and we welcome all of our visitors from St Albans.
Our squad has been reduced in recent days. Non contracted players are open to a seven day approach from other clubs and we have lost a couple of players who have been approached and accepted offers. We have also had players who were here on loan recalled by their host clubs.
This leaves the squad leaner and provides the opportunity for some of our younger players to shine. Last weeks game provided U18 starlet Ed Ovenden the chance to make his first team debut. Congratulations Ed, we hope to see you get more minutes at the Pan in the coming months.
Pitts now also has the opportunity to freshen up the squad for the second half of the season and everyone will be determined to pick up as many points as possible. I am sure the boys are buzzing to get out in front of the home crowd at long last. Hopefully we will hear the Rooks Roar this afternoon.
Come on you Rooks!
Trevor
Pitts speaks after Canvey win and Ramsgate loss
As always, the gaffer spoke to the club following our two most recent fixtures, a 1-0 away win at Canvey Island (featuring Danny Bassett as guest interviewer), and our 3-0 away loss to Ramsgate last week. You can see both interviews here, reflecting on each game:
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.
Alex Kpakpe: A fast and phyiscal left-back, Alex joins from Cray Valley PM having previously played for Hastings United, Aveley, and Wingate & Finchley in this division. Alex is a product of the Chelsea academy and was also played in a friendly for Rangers in 2023.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alfie Allen: Allen is a central midfielder who can operate in both defensive or attacking-minded roles; a great passer of the ball and a calm presence in midfield, Alfie rejoins the Rooks after a spell at Tonbridge Angels.
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.
Bobby Unwin: Bobby returns to Lewes after a good spell at Tonbridge Angels, scoring thrice and putting in multiple great performances at Step 2, before rejoining the Rooks to add pace, ball-carrying, and goal threat to the side.
Danny Bassett: Danny is no stranger to the Rooks, joining in the summer of 2024, before returning to the Pan after a spell away from the game. Bassett has experience at this level, previously lining up for Carshalton Athletic, and scored 22 goals for the Rooks last season.
Big Squad Shifts
It’s been a while since we’ve played at the Pan, which means it’s also been a while since I’ve had to write a squad update segment, so there’s a bit to cover here.
Firstly, the outs. The following players have all left the club:
-Martell Taylor-Crossdale (recalled by Tonbridge Angels)
-Antonio Morgan (Welling Utd)
-Kaan Bennett (Burgess Hill Town)
-Lukas Franzen-Jones (Hastings Utd)
-Billie Clark (Eastbourne Town)
The Club would like to thank each and every one of these players for their commitments to the club in their time here, and wish them all well in the future.
Secondly, we would like to congratulate u18 players Oli Deda and Ed Ovenden for making matchday squads in recent weeks; Deda was in the squad in the 1-0 away win at Canvey Island, and Ovenden made his senior debut in last week’s 3-0 loss away at Ramsgate. And thirdly, while there are no ins to speak of this week, be on the lookout on the socials and website very soon for some exciting incoming players.
Gold and Black, or Black and Gold
In case you missed it, our brand new (and lovely, might I add) third kits are now avaliable to purchase from Kitlocker; https://www.kitlocker.shop/lewesfc/match-kits
These kits debuted at the end of December, with the Men’s side wearing the left strip, and the Women’s side wearing the right. Both are avaliable in Men’s and Women’s sizing on the shop, so take your pick on your favourite.
Match Report: Rooks get lost in the Ramsgate fog
The Rooks made the journey up to the corner of Kent last week to take on newly promoted Ramsgate in a fixture that could have solidified our midtable security and eased any lingering worries of a relegation scrap. A perfect record in December (that Whitehawk game doesn’t count, remember) meant that spirits were high going into this game, despite a 2-1 wobble away at Burgess Hill a few weeks ago, especially due to the more recent win at Canvey Island to right the ship.
After a pre-match trip to the biggest Wetherspoons in the country (and presumably the world), the travelling fans had seemingly entered the Twighlight Zone instead of the Southwood stadium, as the sunny weather had randomly been covered in a ridiculous amount of fog. The game was surprisingly allowed to start despite the fact the goalkeepers couldn’t see each other, and maybe that was to blame when the home side went 1-0 up in about 20 seconds through TJ Jadama. I can’t tell you a thing about the goal, as I couldn’t see it, and he best I could do was ask the kitman what happened when he wandered past. His answer? ‘Well, it went in.’ Proper journalism.
Honeslty the fog was the most interesting thing about the game from a Lewes perspective, it was a game of precious little in the way of chances; genuinely nothing happened past those opening seconds in the first half, and our only solid attempt was right as the second half began, as Kaan Bennet latched onto a Tyler Christian-Law through ball before smashing one toward the top corner, but Rams keeper Dillon Addai was there to tip it over. Addai was also keen to test his new standup routine with the away fans since he wasnt very busy, which went down about as well as you’d expect.
In the end, Ramsgate notched up two more goals in the second half via Kweku Lucan and MItch May, to really put a damper on the day, and going off the apologies all the players gave as they came over at full time, it seems they knew things were just simply not good enough. We bloody love a 3-0 loss this season.
St Albans City FC
- St Albans City Football Club was founded in 1908 and has played at Clarence Park since its formation. The club tasted instant success, winning the Herts County League Western Division in their first season and the Spartan League Eastern Division in their second.
- On 22 November 1922, St Albans faced Dulwich Hamlet in a, FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay in which the Saints goalkeeper didn’t show up, with reserve half-back (an older name for a midfielder) Alf Fearn taking his place between the sticks. The result of that game was an incredible 8-7 win for Dulwich Hamlet with Wilfred Miller scoring all seven of St Albans’ goals. This remains the record for the most goals scored by a player on the losing side in FA Cup history.
- St Albans joined the Isthmian League in 1923 and won it in 1923-24, 1926-27 and 1927-28. This signalled the end of a period of great success for the Saints and kicked off an era of disappointing seasons with things not improving much until the 1980s. St Albans were the first club to be relegated from the Isthmian League after finishing second-to-bottom in 1973-74.
- The Saints had a brief spell in the third tier of the Isthmian system in the early 1980s, spending one season in Division Two. St Albans made their way back to the Premier Division in 1985-86.
- In 1998-99, the Saints made it to the semi-final of the FA Trophy before eventually losing 4-3 over two legs to Forest Green Rovers.
- Despite finishing in a disappointing 19th in 2003-04, St Albans secured promotion to the newly formed Conference South after winning a play-off due to a restructuring of the league system.
- In 2005-06, St Albans went up through the play-offs again, this time to the Conference National (Step 1). However, they finished bottom of the table and were swiftly relegated back to the Conference South.
- The club was relegated to the Southern League Premier Division in 2010-11 after being deducted ten points due to players being given illegal payments. St Albans finished their first season in the Southern League Premier in 8th place.
- In 2013-14, they reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2002. However, they ended their run at home to League Two Mansfield Town in front of over 3000 spectators.
- The club finished the season in 4th place and won promotion back to the Conference South through the play-offs, beating Chesham United 3-1 in the final. The Saints reached the FA Cup first round again in 2016-17, this time losing to League Two side Carlisle United.
- In 2021-22, the club made it all the way to the 2nd round of the FA Cup, beating League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers in the first round, before losing to Hertfordshire rivals Boreham Wood in the second round.
- In the 2022-23 season, St Albans finished in an impressive 6th place with 75 points and made it to the play-off final. However, they lost 4-0 to Oxford City. 2023-24 ended in an 11th place finish, and last season St Albans were relegated to the Isthmian Premier after finishing 21st.
- St Albans currently find themselves in 9th place, one point ahead of our Rooks, so it’s all to play for this afternoon.
Leo Sery
Leo Sery signed for St Albans ahead of this season and has shone for the club already. The former Brentford academy player has scored 16 goals for the Saints in all competitions and is the league’s third-highest scorer with 13 league goals.
| Date | Competition | Home | Away | Att. | |
| Tue 23 Sep 2025 | Isthmian Prem | St Albans | 3-0 | Lewes | 740 |
Our midweek September venture into Hertfordshire was the only meeting we’ve had with the Saints as far as my records show. I wasn’t actually there, so I can’t comment too much on what happened, but the fact we lost 3-0 shows it probably wasn’t great. Like I said, we bloody love a 3-0 loss.
HOME
I actually like this one a fair bit, the pattern that goes up the whole kit is bespoke, and a bit strange, but it works. Also the sponsor actually fits with the rest of the shirt which is always nice to see. They should do one with the pattern on the inside of the kit though, that looks class. 7/10
AWAY
Mostly the same, but red. the badge pattern situation doesn’t look as good with this version, but the actual club badge is changed to match the rest of the strip, which is great. Overall a decent pair of shirts. 6/10
To Billericay Town
Who are they?: Ricay are an old school club based in Essex, and have traditionally been pretty strong challengers at this level and above; the Blues spent four years in the Conference South over two spells, coming back to Step 3 for the 22/23 season, where they have been in the playoff or title picture every single year since. This season the Blues are facing a bit of a wobble, but are still a very solid side that we should not take lightly.
How do we get there?: The Blues play out of the New Lodge stadium, the nearest station to which is indeed Billiercay, which can be reached by going to London Victoria, either walking or getting the Tube to London Liverpool Street, and then getting a train out from there. This journey should take about 2.5 hours assuming no major delays, and that you start from Lewes station.
What’s around?: Ricay has a few decent pubs in and around the town; The Chequers, The Crown, and The Coach and Horses are all ones I’ve visited in seasons past, and none have much wrong with them.
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