Lewes FC

The green, green grass of home

Lewes 0-0 Basingstoke Town (22:08:10)

The joy of non-league football is proximity, authenticity, an absence of graft and greed, and, in Lewes's case, a chance to gather behind the goal with a pint of Harvey's, the local nectar, and talk to old friends whilst the South Downs frame the efforts of a mostly homegrown side.

I wish I'd written that paragraph (see above) but I didn't. It was a snippet taken from today's Observer, and penned by the fair hand of Paul Hayward. I loved it for two reasons. Firstly, it sums up the joy of an afternoon spent watching football at the Dripping Pan, and, secondly, tremendous use of commas don't you think?

Articles about The Rooks have surfaced in the Daily Telegraph, The Times and The Observer this week - everybody is talking about them. They're newsworthy because they're now owned by a not-for-profit community benefit society. Six blokes basically, who've picked up the mess of last season, seen the light, and plan to allow the club to become fully owned by the fans within two years.

I met the aforementioned six blokes yesterday morning on Lewes High Street. My normal pre-match routine of a few pints was put on hold while we, and a number of other volunteers, stuck posters up around the town and placed leaflets into the palms of the locals. The plan was, and is, to raise the profile of the club and moreover, get people through the turnstiles at the club. We need more supporters.

Talking to old friends while the South Downs frame the efforts a mostly homegrown side - tick.

Gates from the opening two home games of the season have been hugely encouraging. On Wednesday night, over 600 fans, including 13 from Thurrock, turned up to see Lewes turn on the style and stick three points on the mantle piece in the process. That crowd was almost exactly double of the corresponding fixture last season which took place almost exactly one year ago.

The events of Wednesday night were summed up HERE by the ever brilliant Ian from the Two Hundred Percent Blog. Bobble hats off to him for that.

The clubhouse inside the Dripping Pan is affectionately referred to as The Rook Inn. Over the Summer volunteers (of course volunteers) took it upon themselves to rid the place of its stale look, and brown paint. Readers of European Football Weekends helped. Scarves and pennants from all over Europe have been sent in and now adorn the walls. It's work in progress obviously but the aim is to have the place covered. A football fan-house to be proud of.

Football, football memorabilia, beer, and beer festivals. What's not to like?

One naughty scarf escaped to watch the action unfold.

It was great to see the Rook Inn packed yesterday. As I wandered around the place, I can't tell you how rewarding it was to overhear conversations from the travelling Basingstoke fans complementing the look of the place, and nodding in like at the memorabilia. I even caught European Cup winner Eddie, sorry Frank Gray taking time out from his gaffer duties to have a nose around.

It was edge of the terrace stuff to begin with as The Rooks breathed fire onto the Dragons goal. After just two minutes, Simon Wormull aka Worms (of course Worms) produced a Johan Cruyff turn which - I'll be honest with you - made me miss a heartbeat. Silly old me. The game eventually petered out into a goalless draw, oh.

Four points from the opening three games then for Lewes and I think everybody would have signed up for that before the season.

I think I may have unmasked the chap behind the fabulous Zonal Marking website. There is a site that, unlike this one, knows what it's talking about. If it's not Lewes manager Steve Ibbitson then I'll be damned. I'll be the first to admit that - even though I've seen, and played in a thousand games of football - I still haven't got a clue about tactics and formations. Ibbo though took time out, as he always does, to explain everything afterwards. He is after-all - the nicest man in football.

Oh when the stripes, and plain bits of red, go marching in, go marching in...

In conclusion, we would have got away with all three points if it hadn't of been for their meddling kids.

A quick word of praise for Basingstoke's keeper as well if I may (go on then - Ed.) His name is Chris Tardif, he's rejoined the club from Maidenhead United over the Summer, and we always give a bit of stick - which he takes in good spirit. He's a bloody brilliant keeper and we always shake hands at the end of the game.

So what next? I know how about a trip to Woking on Tuesday night (phwoar, Where do we sign? - Ed.). I'm told a member of the Rooks Finnish Supporters Club is coming as well. The Rooks have gone all global, the Rooks have gone all global (Repeat to fade).

New for this season: Patrick Marber interviews Lewes gaffer Ibbo after the game. Pretty standard stuff until just past the three minutes mark, when Marber ups the anti and gags start flying around. Brilliant.

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Lewes FC Clubhouse - The Rook Inn

Football fans of Europe - help required (apply within)

Somewhat foolishly, I've agreed to help turn around the clubhouse at the Dripping Pan - home to Lewes FC aka The Mighty Rooks. Cynical Dave, Big Deaks and I were having our usual nonsensical talk during last Saturday's reverse at home to Newport County. We figured that it's criminal that Lewes fans rarely use their own clubhouse. It's pivitol for a club of our size to make our own bar make money. Due to it's drab nature and previous problems with the beer on offer, most fans have turned their back on it, preferring instead to drink in town and pitch up at the Dripping Pan five minutes before kick off as well as shooting off straight after games. This needs to change.

The Lewes clubhouse last Saturday. Full (of away fans) but largely drab inside.

Thankfully, due to an arrangement with a local pub - the beer issues have now been resolved and is now in fact perfect. So what's the problem!? I tell you what, aside from no Sky Sports (which we can't afford) it has nil character. This is where we can help. The plan is to make it a shrine to football. It is after all a football pub. The walls are to be decked with football memorabilia - not just Lewes FC related but scarves, pennants and anything else from your club.

Want to contribute in making a bit of history (or something like that - Ed)!?. Then send us a scarf of your club and we'll make sure it gets pride of place in our new clubhouse - now known as The Rook Inn. After cleaning it up and giving it a paint job the walls will then be adorned with anything we can lay our hands on. We want to make it a place that Rooks fans can be proud of, away fans will appreciate and moreover a place that we can hold a European Football Weekends party in - you're all cordially invited!

To send Lewes FC a scarf, pennant or anything you fancy - send me an email (dannylast@hotmail.com) and I'll give you further details.

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Newport County AFC

From Wales with love

Lewes 0-3 Newport County (28:11:09)

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They came to Sussex in their hundreds with a spring very much in their step. These are giddy times for the long suffering fans of Newport County. At last their team are playing the football on the park which is worthy of the fanatical (over 2,000 at home to Bromley thanks very much) support they attract off it.

The Exiles have only existed - in their current guise - since 1989. Debate still rages amongst their own support as to whether this is the same club who in the 80's competed in the European Cup Winners Cup. Bankrupt and out of business in February of 1989, the club reformed just four months later and have since worked their way up through the very basement of the football pyramid to the summit of the Conference South.

So just seven days before County make a splash in Bath - where they are expected to take up to a thousand fans - they found themselves up against EFW faves Lewes for a top versus bottom encounter (bottom encounter eh!? Fnar Fnar - Ed). Before the beer kicked in, we caught up with the Vice Chairman (check us out) of the Newport County AFC Supporters Trust - Tony Pring. Pring filled us in on all things Newport related and we discovered amongst other things that it's not just Swansea City who have the monopoly on a rivalry with Cardiff City:

Somerton Park was to my mind a great old ground. How do you cope in the new place "Spytty" being so far away from the action? A lot of people do moan and complain that we are too far away from the pitch, but a lot of us older supporters remember that we did have a speedway track around Somerton Parks pitch.

Least we forget. Somerton Park.

Seeing as you were reformed in 1989, are today's Newport County the same one who played in the ECWC in the 80's or do you view yourselves as a completely new club? Yes we are a completely new club. As the years go by though, you forget that it's a new club and we all remember the old days. There are still some supporters who won't come and watch the 'new' club.

What impact does Newport RFC (the rugby club) have on the County support, do fans support both codes? There has always been an impact on crowds when both clubs play at home and we do have supporters who follow both. My personal view is that you can't worry about it, if we keep going the way we are at the moment, then why worry about it?

Who are your rivals? In this league; Weston, Bath and I would say Worcester. From the old days our local rivals Cardiff City will always be number 1.

What is your away support like these days in terms of numbers and noise? You would only have to look at other teams top attendances. We can take anything from 250 to whatever numbers we take to Bath next week...lol *we all laughed at this point* Cheers Pringers.

People of Wales, could you forgive me for a second whilst I briefly wax lyrical about what has been some week for Lewes Football Club? Go on, I'll be your best friend. Firstly, they survived a another winding up order from the HMRC - hip. Then, manager Ibbo deservedly cleaned up in the Lewes personality of the year awards - hip. And finally, a victory over Eastleigh in the FA Trophy meant that - before this match - they'd gone 6 (six!) games unbeaten at the "fortress" Dripping Pan -horayyyy!.

Ok Newportonians, you can look back now. This was always going to be a tricky assignment for Lewes. Stand back now as I wave my stats lightsaber at you. County had played 17 league matches before this one losing just the once - Staines away on a Tuesday night late in October since you asked. This had sent them 8 (eight!) points clear of Dover at the top (top!) of the table AND with a game in hand - show offs.

The current County gaffer is celebrity Dean Holdsworth. Thankfully, he's removed himself from the front pages of the papers (Lindsey Dawn, reality shows etc) and found a niche on the back pages. He now has a cupboard full of BSS manager of the month awards and is loving life at Newport so much, he's moved there to show his loyalty to the club, well, nearly, to nearby Worcester which isn't too far is it!?

Dean Holdsworth thinking about where to put his next BSS award.

So...Cynical, Big Deaks and I pitched up in our normal pre-match pub (The Brewers) early doors to catch wind of Aberdeen's routine victory over Glasgow Rangers. We were joined by Robin (ex-Man Utd, now of Lewes) and his Arsenal supporting friends; Simon Ramone and Helen. They tried to justify the 1500 sheets they pay for their Arsenal season tickets but to be honest their pitch fell upon deaf ears. Lovely couple though - welcome back at the Theatre of Harveys anytime.

Bordeaux of that shot every week Lasty.

Teams march out to the sound of Sussex by the Sea.

Newport keeper Glyn Thompson - off to Wolves if you believe the red tops.

Good as (amber and) gold - some of the Newport support.

Onto the match (hooray - Ed) and would you believe it was Lewes who dominated proceedings early on. Twenty-three minutes into to match, I trumpeted loud and proud "What could possibly go wrong!?". Less than a minute later, Newport helped themselves to the opening goal of the game. 0-1. Oh. Can I claim an assist?

On the stroke of half time it all happened. Newport were awarded a spot kick when Ryan Timms brought down the last man inside the penalty area - just after he'd come on as sub for the injured Ross Sutton. Red card (tick), penalty (tick), no complaints (tick), Reid - their best player to take (tick), sends pen goalwards (tick), Banks saves to his right (tick), players troop off for half time (tick).

Pen to the Welsh.....what happens next!?

Main stand packed to the rafters. Well sort of...

Stand back again folks, as I wave my stats lightsaber towards you in a figure of eight motion. Rikki Banks (of young eagle of the month fame) has now saved three out of the four penalties that Lewes have conceded this season. That is a 75% penalty save ratio - I did that in my head. In conclusion, Rikki Banks still is the owner of 1x 'safest hand in soccer' motif. Hats at a jaunty angle Rikki lad.

During the half time period, the decision to keep the Rooks Inn Bar open was fully justified. There had been a bit of pre-match scepticism in which certain folks had deemed the Newport County fans as being somewhat troublesome. Nothing - I repeat nothing - could have been further from the truth. Aside from one lad who insisted singing 'Millwall songs' throughout his stay (a bit Ken Dodd - Ed) they were - to a man (and woman) a credit to their club. They came in good numbers, sang and backed their team throughout the day and contributed some considerable funds behind the Lewes FC clubhouse bar - good luck to them I say.

Into the second half and Newport began to take control. The Rooks didn't disgrace themselves and pushed forwards at every opportunity but it was the league leaders who ran out worthy winners in the end. Goals from Morgan and Henry (note not hand ball) sealed their win and they returned home to Wales happier than Stacey wooing Gavin back to her hometown.

It would be remiss of me at this juncture not to mention Newport striker Craig Reid. He missed a pen granted but Jesus H Christ, he is good. There aren't many times I clap an opposition player off the park but that lad deserved it. Hats at a jaunty angle to you Reido. Different gravy lad.

Craig Reid - different gravy lad, different gravy.

Cynical Dave's betting slip. Officially as long as your arm.

1 x Lewes FC toaster please Sir.

No need for the stewards.

Simon Ramone, Helen and Robin thank their lucky stars they're not at Arsenal.

The rain doesn't dampen our floodies obsession.

At the third peep of the referee's whistle (he looked like Mock the Week's Andy Parsons by the way, is there anything that lad won't do to promote his new Xmas DVD!!??) we were back in the pub drowning our sorrows to the sounds of the Stone Roses. Worse things happen at sea eh!? Good luck to Newport, they will go up and no mistake. As for Lewes, we'll be ok. Roll on Maidenhead next week.

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Banksy sparkles as Rooks light up Pan

Lewes 1-0 Hampton and Richmond Borough (07:11:09)

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If you've had the misfortune to have read some of my ramblings on European football, you'll realise by now that most clubs abroad have a 'friendship' with at least one other club. St Etienne are best mates with Bordeaux, Pogoń Szczecin regularly get into bed with Legia Warsaw and last week we discovered that Rot-Weiss Essen are all over Werder Bremen.

To my knowledge, this isn't commonplace in England but I'd like to think that if it was - Lewes would be paired up with Hampton and Richmond Borough. When EFW pitched up at the Beveree earlier on in the year, we were treated like royalty. We were met by the press officer, given a tour around their ground, afforded time with both gaffer Alan Devonshire and President Alan Simpson OBE and given a warm welcome by the fans, many of whom have remained friends since that day.

This is why, when it crossed our minds to sponsor a match ball for this season, one game leaped off the fixture list here at EFW Towers. So, we were happy to put our name to this fixture as we once more entered the murky world of football sponsorship. I would just like to reassure Rooks fans at this juncture that despite repeated rumours; the wonderfully named Dripping Pan isn't going to be re-branded and called the DrippingPan@www.europeanfootballweekends.co.uk anytime soon. We'll leave the circus act to Dorty Newcastle United shall we!?

So to the match (well pre-match, we are EFW after all) and on this fine Autumnal day in East Sussex, Cynical and I arrived in town early doors and we cemented our friendship with our pals from Hampton, Passport to Football's Stuart Fuller and a cast of tens over a little thing we like to call 'beer'. As we were representing the company (EFW), Dave and I pitched up sporting a pair of matching suits. Anything for a giggle eh!?

After we'd shown the Hampton throng around some of the finer establishments in town we walked (some staggered) into the clubhouse at the ground to pump some much needed funds into the actual club in exchange for beer. In non-league clubhouses, you'll more often than not find a fixtures board mounted on the wall. For once, the one at Lewes hadn't been updated. Step forwards Mr Fuller and I who fulfilled a lifetimes ambition - up there with swimming with dolphins - and rectified the situation post haste. And relax.

Evidence of our fine work, next up - swimming with dolphins.

Eager Beavers.

The next thing I knew I was standing on the terrace having my photo taken with a fellow besuited chap. It was only rotund, mustachioed, former FA chief executive Brian Barwick. He'd just joined the Hampton board of directors and celebrated his good work by joining the EFW Hall of Fame. EFW and the FA chumming it up on the terraces? File your complaints to the usual address please.

Sweet FA. Brian Barwick - you gotta laugh, haven't you!?

The balls are sponsored - tick.

The Lewes and Hampton 'love in' continues on the terraces.

Pleasingly, Lewes chose this day to turn in one of their best performances of the season. The only goal of the game came following an Arsenal type move with eye-catching passes being knocked all around the park. With cries of OLE echoing around the Pan (well, sort of) the ball - sponsored by EFW - found its way out to Wheeler (obviously) and he delivered a match winning pass through to Rivers who gleefully tapped in to earn the Rooks only their second win of the season.

The stand out performance on the park came from Lewes keeper Rikki Banks. He was a ball magnet all afternoon. He is easily the most improved player at the club and Cynical and I concluded afterwards that his recent good form must be down to the fact he's been reading one of our infamous self esteem books. Safest hands in soccer? I think so.

Safest hands in Soccer. EFW Man of the Match Rikki Banks.

Being match ball sponsors (yes I think we've established that - Ed) we got to lord it up in the boardroom both at half-time and after the final whistle. We got to chat with the genial Lewes chairman Martin Elliot. He regaled us with some of the 'joys' of running a non-league club aligned with the present financial climate but rest assured, he has the best interests of Lewes FC at heart.

In the boardroom you also get to see the work of the many volunteers, without whom Lewes would not exist. Peter and Dorothy (Dot to her mates) serve up a spread that wouldn't look out of place at Lords - including home made cakes. Match programme editor and website Guru James Boyes can also be seen beavering away at his laptop. Talking of Beavers, James was rightfully pleased with his good work on the official website report whereby he managed to crowbar in the words "snatch" and "Beavers" into his headline. least not forget that the management team at the club also work for nothing - someone open the windows!

The Lewes boardroom, no really, it is!

My hero! Comedy legend Alan Simspon OBE.

Now then, down to business. To function properly and to make money, Lewes FC needs a bigger and better clubhouse. The current one is widely regarded as not being good enough. Aside from fireworks/bonfire night, what is the towns most famous export? It has to be beer, moreover Harveys beer and it's they who I've got in mind with my cunning plan. They need to get more involved in the club. I'm drafting a letter as we speak. My plan - which has to be said is a 'pie in the sky' one - is to get them to assist in making the clubhouse at the Dripping Pan one of the best in Europe. Lewes FC + Dripping Pan + Harveys = winning formula surely!? This time next year.....

Here's to our new clubhouse - possibly.

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