Welcome to The Dripping Pan for this evening’s Isthmian League Premier game versus Billericay Town. 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 – Billericay Town
6. One to Watch?
7. Head to Head
8. Kit Clash
9. On the Road… to Brentwood Town
10. Legals and Credits
A very warm Lewes welcome to our visitors from Billericay. It has not rained in Lewes for 48 hours and it looks like we have game on at the third time of asking.
Whilst the sun may have made an appearance in the last couple of days the Dripping Pan was a gloomy place at 5pm on Saturday after Cray Valley took all three points in an encounter that looked like it had 0-0 written all over it.
The winning goal game from a set piece – a rather controversial topic among watchers of the Premier League of late.
Lewes are on a worrying run of form and a win is urgently required to rebuild confidence and belief. Billericay set top of the Isthmian League form guide alongside Folkestone whilst Lewes are rooted at the bottom. This is therefore a tough assignment for the Rooks. We therefore all need to get behind the team and hopefully we can literally turn the form guide on its head.
Come on you Rooks!
Trevor
Pitts, Bryan and Chaz evaluate Millers defeat, assess immediate future
Following last weekend’s defeat to Cray Valley PM, manager Craig Nelson, assistant manager Bryan Nzinga, and veteran striker Charlie Walker all spoke to the club; they outlined the game, where things fell short, and why results have not gone our way in recent times. They also looked ahead to tonight’s fixture and how they hope to put things right despite the tough times.
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.
Rooks run-in requires full support
Not much to report in terms of club news this evening, so instead we are going to make a call to all Rooks fans going into the business end of the season. Here are our next five fixtures including this evening; there are some tough games in here, and our visitors tonight are no exception, so we ask that you continue to give the boys your full support home and away as we look to pick up points and preserve our place in this league. Keep singing, keep showing up, it means a lot to the players.
Billericay Town FC
- Billericay Town was founded as Billericay Football Club in 1880. The club competed in the Romford & District League up until World War I. The Blues then moved to the Mid-Essex League, in which they played until 1947 when they joined the Southern Essex Combination League. 1946 was when Billericay adopted their current name of Billericay Town.
- Success came shortly after joining the Essex Olympian League in 1966 when in 1969-70 and 1970-71, the Blues won the League and League Cup double in consecutive seasons. This success moved Billericay up to the Essex Senior League, in which they finished runners-up in their first season and won the title at the second time of asking.
- The Blues made it three titles in five years as another runner-up finish was followed by back-to-back titles. They also won two successive FA Vase titles in this period of great success for the club.
- In 1977, Billericay switched over to the Athenian League, which they won with their first attempt. 1978-79 saw the club retain the Athenian League, as well as winning the FA Vase for the third time in four years, with Doug Young becoming the only player to score a hat-trick in an FA Vase final. The following season saw the Blues promoted to the Isthmian League Division Two, which they won at the first time of asking.
- Now in Division One, the club did slightly worse, this time finishing second, still achieving promotion to the Premier Division, however. Billericay remained in the Division until 1985-86 when they suffered relegation. This was followed by another relegation to Division Two North in 1988-89.
- The Blues turned this form around a few years later, winning promotion back to Division One in 1992-93 and finally back to the Premier Division in 1997-98. That season, they also reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, eventually losing 3-2 at home to Wisbech Town. This feat was repeated in 2004-05 as the club lost to Stevenage Borough this time. Billericay qualified for the play-offs twice in the 2000s, losing in the semi-final in 2004-05 and the final in 2006-07.
- 2007-08 saw the Blues qualify for another FA Cup first round, this time suffering defeat to then League One Swansea City. The Essex Senior Cup returned to Billericay in 2010-11 for the second time, beating Aveley 2-0 in the final. This was followed by the Blues winning the Isthmian Premier Division and gaining promotion to the Conference South. Billericay’s stay in the Conference South did not last long, however, as they suffered relegation the following season.
- The club reached the FA Cup first round for the fourth time in 2017-18, losing to Leatherhead in a replay. The season also saw them win the Premier Division again, earning promotion to the National League South (formerly the Conference South).
- The club finished rock bottom of the National League South in 2021-22 and were relegated back to the Isthmian Premier. After a mid-table 10th place in their first season back in the division, this was improved to 6th in their second season and 2nd last season, qualifying for the play-offs and losing to Dover Athletic in the semi-final.
- Billericay currently sit in 5th place after something of a resurgence in the second half of the season, now firmly in the playoff mix. This will be a very tough game but hopefully we can overcome the replenished Essex side.
Elliot Long
Elliot Long joined Billericay Town from Welling United in February of this year and has shown himself to be a highly important player in their squad having scored 10 goals so far this season. Expect the attacking midfielder to be a real threat to the Rooks’ back line this evening.
| Date | Competition | Home | Away | Att. | |
| Sat 31 Jan 2026 | Isthmian Prem | Ricay | 3-0 | Lewes | 871 |
| Sat 15 Feb 2025 | Isthmian Prem | Ricay | 4-2 | Lewes | 939 |
| Sat 12 Oct 2024 | Isthmian Prem | Lewes | 2-2 | Ricay | 1207 |
| Tue 6 Feb 2024 | Isthmian Prem | Lewes | 0-3 | Ricay | 413 |
| Sat 20 Jan 2024 | Isthmian Prem | Ricay | 5-0 | Lewes | 1201 |
I hate playing Billericay. We have a torrid record against the Essex outfit, not beating them a single time since they came back to this league in 2022, and even before that, we’ve not beaten them at all since 2013, when Matt Crabb (remember the Crabb brothers?) scored the only goal in a 1-0 away victory. Our last encounter was also up in Essex, just a few weeks ago, when the Rooks fell to an unfortunately very flat 3-0 defeat against the Blues.
HOME
Looks like water. pretty cool. Also made by Puma which you don’t see very often at this level. 7/10
AWAY
Looks like red water. If you remember their goalkeeper kit from last season, that one looked like a Lucozade bottle so clearly they have a liquid theme going on for some reason. Still pretty decent. 7/10
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