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

We warmly welcome our visitors from Cray Valley PM for this afternoon’s game. This weekend is the last weekend of meteorological winter and it has been a long harsh winter for the Rooks and for many fans a winter of discontent.

Last week’s game at Cheshunt was pivotal after two heavy home defeats and it was vital that we shored up our defence and made sure we did not get beaten. We acheived those objectives with a 0-0 and needed to build on the platform of that result at Whitehawk on Tuesday. We started the game brightly and soon found ourselves a goal to the good. However the Enclosed Ground is a tough place to play and lapses of concentration or mistakes are usually punished and so was the case for Lewes as we ended up losing 3-1.

It is important that we come together and show that we are a better side than recent performances suggest (something we all know to be the case) and we need a good result today to go into Spring with well a spring in our steps.

Remaining on the weather theme January was one of the wettest starts to the year for sometime and February was just as soggy. Despite this we still have one of the best playing surfaces in the league and for that we owe a huge debt of gratitude to our groundskeeper Simon. The pitch will be prepared as meticulously as ever for this afternoon’s match, let’s hope the Rooks take full advantage and earn all three points.

Come on you Rooks!

Trevor

Pitts speaks on derby day defeat

Pitts gave his thoughts immediately following our 3-1 defeat to local rivals Whitehawk this Tuesday, outlining his thoughts on the game and where things went wrong. You can see the interview here:

🗣️Pitts’ response to our 3-1 away defeat to Whitehawk tonight pic.twitter.com/zpJzIy2EfT

— Lewes FC Men (@LewesFCMen) February 24, 2026

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.

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.

Beaux Booth: Beaux joins from Farnham Town, and brings goalscoring threat to the midfield, on top of creativity. A product of Brentford’s B Team, Beaux joined Sholing after leaving the Bees before quickly impressing enough to get a jump up to Step 3 with Farnham, before linking up with the Rooks in 2026.

Aaron Jenkins: Aaron is a wide midfielder/winger capable of operating on either flank, and provides direct, fast, dangerous ball-carrying and crossing ability, as well as an eye for goal. Aaron joins from Sevenoaks where he previously scored 5 goals in 4 games last season, as well as lining up for Merstham in the past.

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.

Lui Edwards: Lui joins on dual-registration with Roffey, where he is an up and coming young player, joining them as a product of the Woking youth setup. a striker or attacking midfielder, Lui brings dynamism to the Rook’s attack, as well as a few goals and assists too.

Taurean Roberts: Taurean is a winger who has been around non-leauge football for a long time, previously featuring for Horsham, Hampton & Richmond, Chippenham, among others. Direct, fast, and a leader in the squad, Taurean links up with long time friend Pitts to bring threat to the wide areas.

Another new Rook

Lewes are very pleased to formally announce the signing of Beaux Booth to the Rooks. Beaux has been with Pitts’ side for a few games now, featuring in both our recent outings against Whitehawk and Cheshunt.

Booth made his name in West London with Brentford’s B Team, before moving on to Sholing FC and eventually Southern Premier side Farnham Town, where he grabbed three goals and four assists in his short stay. Beaux brings a lot of goalscoring and creative threat to the midfield, which is something lacking in recent weeks and will be a welcome addition, and has already come to fruition as Booth assisted Taurean Roberts’ opening goal against Whitehawk.

Welcome to the Rooks, Beaux!

Cray Valley Paper Mills FC

• Cray Valley Paper Mills FC was founded in 1919, taking their name from the paper mills in St Paul’s Cray where the club originally played. Early honours included the Kent County Junior Cup, and the club went on to win multiple titles in the South London Alliance League during the late 1970s and early 80s. The closure of the mill in 1981 left the club without a home, and they spent the best part of two decades moving between grounds before eventually settling at their present home, Badgers Sports Ground in Eltham, in 1998/99.
• After joining the Kent County League in 2001, the club made rapid progress under manager Mark Edwards, winning Division One West in 2002/03 and the Premier Division title in 2004/05. They also lifted the London Intermediate Cup on four occasions during this period. After finishing third in 2010/11, the club stepped up to the Kent League, which was renamed the Southern Counties East League in 2013.
• 2016/17 brought one of the club’s most remarkable achievements, winning the London Senior Cup by beating Metropolitan Police 2-1 in the final – becoming the lowest-ranked side ever to lift the trophy.
• The centenary season of 2018/19 was arguably the club’s greatest. The Millers stormed to the SCEFL title, accruing 91 points from 38 matches and scoring 108 goals, securing promotion to the Isthmian League. The season also saw a first-ever Wembley appearance, though they narrowly lost the FA Vase Final 3-1 after extra time to Chertsey Town in front of a crowd of nearly 43,000.
• Their first few seasons in the Isthmian League South East saw steady mid-table finishes, with 2021/22 ending in play-off heartbreak, losing the semi-final 1-0 to Ashford United. 2020/21 also saw the club reach the FA Cup First Round for the first time, losing 1-0 at Havant & Waterlooville.
• 2023/24 was a landmark season. The Millers won the Isthmian South East Division title convincingly, finishing with 95 points from 38 games to earn promotion to the Premier Division. The FA Cup also provided a memorable run, with a First Round tie against League One side Charlton Athletic ending 1-1 at the Valley before Valley fell to a 6-1 replay defeat.
• 2024/25 saw the club more than hold their own in the Premier Division, finishing fourth and earning a play-off place. Their campaign ended narrowly in the semi-finals, losing 4-3 to Dartford in a closely-fought tie. Now in their second season at Step 3, the Millers are struggling in a relegation fight, currently sitting in 19th place. They will be fighting for their lives this afternoon, so full support is needed to push the Rooks on.

Daniel Ajakaiye

Ajakaiye joined the Millers this summer, and should be no stranger to any Sussex football fans, lining up for last year’s league winners Horsham for the past three seasons. Fast, direct, and strong, Dan has notched up nine goal contributions this season in a struggling Millers side, and will be a threat on the wings this afternoon.

Date	Competition	Home		Away	Att.
Sat 1 Nov 2025	Isthmian Prem	CVPM	1-1	Lewes	203
Sat 22 Mar 2025	Isthmian Prem	Lewes	4-1	CVPM	1207
Tue 4 Feb 2025	Isthmian Prem	CVPM	0-0	Lewes	413

Well there’s a good sign, a team we actually have a decent record against. We have never lost to the Millers in three attempts, picking up a point away from home earlier in the season thanks to Charlie Walker’s equaliser and his first goal for the Rooks. Many would agree there should really be a fourth game on this list, a 2-0 victory over the Millers away from home, but that one was scrubbed from the books due to an abandonment in the 77th minute due to an unfortunately very serious injury to then-Rooks defender Marcel McIntosh. Hopefully we can turn our form around with a continuation of this good record.

HOME

The Millers have gone for a simple effort this year, courtesy of Kelme as their manufacturer. Now, this kit is very boring, so instead I googled who else had kits made by Kelme as I had never heard of them, and apparently they make kits for Watford, RCD Espanyol in La Liga, and then just about every team in Asia, from the Egpytian Prem to the second division of the Singapore league. Every day’s a school day. Anyway this strip is quite boring, especially with the almost comedically plain sponsor. 5/10

AWAY

The same, but blue. Really not much to say here. This pair look like generic kits you see on Football Manager when they don’t have the license for a team. 5/10

To Brentwood Town

Who are they?: Brentwood Town are a newcomer to the Isthmian Prem after gaining promotion from the North Division last season; the Blues have started life at Step 3 very comfortably, and currently sit firmly in the playoff places well into the season. An Essex club, the Blues make for the second longest away day of the season for the Rooks by distance, but a new ground for many.

How do we get there?: as you may expect, Brentwood is the nearest station to the Brentwood Centre Arena, accessible on the Elizabeth Line through London. Once there, buses run from the station to the ground (the number 60 stops directly outside the ground), or you can make the 30-minute, 1.5-mile walk there.

What’s around?: There seems to be a fair few pubs in the Brentwood area, so there are plenty of choices for any travelling Rooks, but I want to spotlight two gloriously-named ones; The Peasant’s Revolt, and The Spread Eagle. Fantastic.

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, 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, Joe Warsop-Davies, Aidan Elve, Noah Bercott

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