Whilst the second half of the season has been an improvement on the first, the club still languish second from bottom of Ryman League Division 3.
However with a new Chairman at the helm and new ideas and initiatives planned, there is at last an air of optimism around The Dripping Pan. And whilst the Rooks cannot make any real progress with their league position - only a couple of places above them are within their reach - it is essential that the side finish the season on a high. Not only is it a question of demonstrating that genuine progress has been made, but if efforts to promote the club to the town are to be successful, it is essential that results, if not league position, back up the sales pitch.
The club is still searching for its first away victory in the league and manager Andy Sinden believes he now has a squad of players which, given a little more time will gel together. For some time now, Sinden, together with Director of Football Derek Southouse and General Manager Brian Smith have been experimenting with a number of players with a view to building a side capable of challenging for promotion next season.
Despite the emphasis on long-term planning though, the season has been a miserable one for Lewes supporters. The turn of the year saw heavy defeats in the league as well as exits from the Associate Members Trophy by Horsham and an embarrassing 4-1 defeat in the Sussex Senior Cup at Littlehampton.
February saw an improvement as the month began with a 1-1 draw - albeit at struggling Kingsbury Town. But suddenly there was more than a whiff of optimism as this was swiftly followed up by a 2-1 home victory over Tring Town - the club’s first league victory since Christmas. And with a game at bottom side Southall to follow, suddenly the club was talking about improved league positions. However Southall demonstrated what a team at the bottom needs to do if they are to get out of the mire. Playing as a team with fire, commitment and a sheer determination to win they humbled an inept Lewes side 2-0 - to shatter the illusion. Nevertheless a much improved performance was to follow - although the result, a 5-0 thrashing at league leaders Ford United did not reflect a gutsy Rooks performance. A 1-0 win over Wingate was followed by a 3-0 defeat at East Thurrock and then the coup de grace. If any result was to typify the lack of commitment, confidence and desire to win that has been all to prevalent this season, it was the home game against Ware. The result a 6-1 home defeat was nothing less than an embarrassment and Chairman Steve White must have wondered what he’d let himself in for. The side recovered to gain a valuable away point at Corinthian Casuals, but as we enter April it is clear that some sign of definite improvement is expected from both management and supporters alike.
New signings at the club recently include that of former Horsham boss Steve Breach. The Rooks beat off a handful of sides who also saw the veteran defender as a key component of a solid defence. Departures from the club are, as you would expect, too numerous to list. Suffice to say, on the evidence of results to date, few will be missed.
On the commercial side the club have now launched a newsline with news, fixtures, results and club information now available 24 hours a day on 0930 555 918.
In a major fund-raising event the club is holding a Greyhound meeting at The Corals Stadium in Hove on Thursday April 23rd.
And the club have also launched a major initiative to encourage townsfolk to take an interest in their local soccer club. The club is seeking to improve communications from the club with the launch of a new newsletter - The Dripping Tap.
The new Chairman is keen to encourage more involvement in the club from all sections of the community - particularly local business - and he sees The Dripping Tap as an important step to help spread the word on Lewes FC "I’m aware that if we are to achieve our objective of bringing top-class non-league soccer to Lewes then we need to involve the town - and generate support from local business. This new initiative will assist that process by explaining what our objectives are and reporting on our progress towards meeting them" said White.
Fixtures for April (Subject to change; please contact Martin Burke on 01797 230572 for up to date details).
| Sat Feb 7th | Kingsbury | Away | League | 1-1 | |
| Sat Feb 14th | Tring Town | Home | League | 1-0 | 54 |
| Sat Feb 21st | Southall | Away | League | 0-2 | |
| Tues Feb 24th | Ford United | Away | League | 0-5 | |
| Sat Feb 28th | Wingate & Finch | Home | League | 1-0 | 48 |
| Sat Mar 7th | E Thurrock T | Away | League | 0-3 | |
| Sat Mar 14th | Ware | Home | League | 1-6 | 65 |
| Sat Mar 21st | Corinthian Cas | Away | League | 1-1 |
Thursday April 23rd Greyhound Racing - The Coral Stadium, Hove
Further information from;
Lewes FC Newsline 0930 555 918
Steve White, Chairman. Tel 0973 204440
Martin Burke, Tel 01797 230572
E-mail NiceWork@compuserve.com