Community news
Written by: Joe
Lewes FC are delighted to welcome a group of former Rooks and Whitehawk players down to the Pan for Monday’s 3pm kick off against the Hawks.
Club legend Terry Parris has organised a group of more than 40 ex-players from both teams to attend the men’s Isthmian Premier League game and meet supporters.
We have multiple generations of Rooks players heading to the Pan, with some going back as far as the invincibles team of 60 years ago.
“We’ll be at the family area by the Philcox Stand,” says Terry. “It will be fun and really good to see these guys. They’re from different generations. Ian Pattenden for instance played in the 1964/65 invisibles season. That’s the team that got promoted to the higher league at the time, and we haven’t looked back since!”
Meeting the supporters is something Terry is keen to continue after welcoming players back in previous seasons. The art of getting everyone together, though, is the difficult task – and that’s what makes Monday’s reunion so special.
>> Buy Lewes FC vs Whitehawk tickets
“We decided to go ahead with this bank holiday match. A few weeks ago I started to see if guys from both teams could come down, as it’s important to have represented,” he says. “Whitehawk are one of our closest teams, I know a lot of people who played for both, and there’s a lot of history between Lewes and Whitehawk. It’s something I’m sure the fans will love to see this Monday.
“It really shows the community spirit. The guys never really get together like this, and often the only time we do is at funerals. So it’s really important for us to get together and remember the good (and the bad!) times.
“I’m very fortunate to be involved in a great football club where we can make this sort of thing happen, but it’s not easy to get everyone together at the same time. The club has a big community network and we can do this sort of thing. Otherwise there’s no other way of seeing each other – you just lose track as individuals, so a big game like this will be amazing.”
Getting together for a bank holiday game, with more than 1,000 fans expected at the Pan, is likely to rekindle memories of other big matches from down the years. And Terry – who has done pretty much everything at the club over the decades – his looking forward to it.
“It’s been fabulous to see the men’s team develop and to see the women’s team grow, and compete with some big clubs in the country,” he says. “The great thing about the club is it’s a real stadium – to play on that pitch in front of more than 1,000 fans must be fantastic. It’s a wonderful surface but mixed with things like the grass bank and the garden, it’s really unique.”
Parris: ‘I’m really excited for Craig’
Lewes head into a bank holiday weekend double-header top of the Isthmian Premier League. The Rooks have won all three opening matches under Craig Nelson ahead of Saturday’s clash at Cray. Two days later and Whitehawk come to town.
And Terry says he’s impressed with what he’s seen so far from Pitts and the team.
“I’ve spent some time with Craig and messaged him after our games. I was really impressed with the Hashtag game in particular – not only about how we played but our defensive resilience,” he says.
“Three or four boys really stood out technically. Their ability was equal, if not better, than the opposition. Many of the lads have come from a lower level but Craig has got them together and really worked wonders.
“I’m sure they already have this in-built spirit and it’s helping. They looked fit and organised. I was nervous at the start to be honest because we had a new team and coaching set-up, and pre-season was difficult. But even in pre-season you could see he had a good side together and was working on things.
“I’m really excited for Craig and his team and where the team is going. I’m really pleased with what we’ve seen – and I’m also pleased with the support we’ve given him from us fans. It’s not easy to come in and make an immediate change but the fans have been really good to show Craig their support.”
If you’d like to show your support to former Lewes players (and the current squad!) then be sure to get a ticket for Monday’s match with Whitehawk.
The game kicks off at 3pm with tickets available at a discount if you buy online.