Lewes Football Club was formed on 23 September 1885 after a meeting in the Royal Oak Pub. For the first eight years of its existence the club colours were green, to match the colour of the South Downs. However, for reasons unknown they were changed to the red and black of today.

Lewes were founder members of the Sussex County League in 1920, and were four times runners-up before finally lifting the title in 1965, and joining Division Two of the Athenian League. In 1964 they won the Sussex Senior Cup for the first time. Two seasons later they gained promotion to Division One as champions and after finishing 3rd in 1969, won the Division One title the following year, and were promoted to the Premier Division, where they played for seven seasons - winning the Senior Cup in 1971 (the Premier Division was abolished in 1973/74 and Division One became the top division).

In 1977/78 Lewes joined Division Two of the Isthmian League, and in 1980 were promoted to Division One as runners-up. There they remained until suffering relegation eleven years later, reaching the final of the Senior Cup four times during this period, and winning it in 1985 Within a season they returned to the top division, only to be relegated once more the following year (1992/93). Worse was to follow in 1993/94 when a further relegation plunged Lewes into Division Three of the Isthmian League.

In 1998/99 Jimmy Quinn took over as Manager and led Lewes to within a place of promotion. Following problems off the pitch, the appointment of a new Chairman and Board of Directors in 1999/00 laid the foundations for the club’s return to Division Two in 2000/01 as runners-up, and a fourth Senior Cup triumph. The following season Lewes ended the season as champions of Division Two, as well as reaching the 1st Round proper of the FA Cup for the first time (losing to Stoke City); the Quarter Finals of the FA Vase (losing to AFC Sudbury); and reaching the Final of the Senior Cup (losing to Eastbourne Borough).

In 2002/03 the Rooks narrowly finished 3rd in the reconstituted Division One (South), but were told shortly before the end of the season that their ground was not of a sufficient standard for promotion to the Premier Division - despite the new stand - by virtue of it only having four turnstiles and not the requisite five ... yet another example of the narrow-minded dogma that so often accompanies grading requirements. The end of the season also saw the departure of the ‘colourful’ and often controversial Quinn, who found himself banned from the touchline by his own club for his final game in charge.

The arrival of the hitherto untried Steven King as Quinn’s replacement heralded a superb season in 2003/04, although not without a few hiccoughs along the way. In the FA Trophy a four figure crowd was treated to one of the most amazing ties in the history of the competition as the Rooks hit five past Weymouth ... but conceded eight! (only the previous week Lewes had lost 6-1 at Banstead). See link to photographs above.

In a tense end of season finish, it was Lewes who ultimately held their nerve to lift the Division One (South) title. However, better was to follow ... Lewes embarked on a gruelling series of play-off matches in an attempt to win qualification for Conference South. Wins at Yeading and Basingstoke Town, were followed with a final 1-0 win over Kingstonian at the Dripping Pan to effectively seal two promotions in a season. Sadly not all Rooks fans saw it. Thanks to an appalling administrative blunder by the Isthmian League, Lewes thought they would be traveling to Bedford Town instead of hosting Kingstonian. Only intervention by the FA at the eleventh hour rectified the error, but not all fans got the message and instead spent the afternoon watching Bedford take on St. Albans City!

2004/05 saw Lewes exceed all expectations as they enjoyed a tremendous first season in Conference South. There was considerable disappointment however, when it was announced in February 2005 that the club would be barred from the play-offs due to the Dripping Pan not meeting grading requirements. Despite this an understandable dip in form during the latter weeks of the season, the Rooks still finished in a highly creditable 4th place. There was a serious case of deja-vu in 2005/06, with the Club again finishing in a play-off position but unable to take part. There was however some consolation as Lewes lifted the Sussex Senior Cup, beating Horsham 3-1 in arguably one of the most entertaining games in the history of the competition.

With improvements to the Dripping Pan underway at long last, it was be a brave man who would bet against Lewes not being in a play-off situation come end of April 2007 and being allowed to take their place on this occasion. The new stand was duly opened in time for a 1st Round FA Cup tie vs Darlington in November 2006. Lewes lost 4-1 (a result that flattered Darlington somewhat) but the attendance was a disappointing 1,500.

The club was also handed a home tie vs Oxford United in the 1st Round of the FA Trophy. With Oxford's away following about 1,400, the police and local council insisted that the club provide 45 stewards and proper segregation: allocating Lewes 1,000 tickets and Oxford 900. As a consequence the club erected an additional 400-seat temporary stand, only for the tie to attract a meagre attendance of just 728. Many stay-away Oxford supporters cited inflated admission prices as the reason, and the tie reportedly cost the club around £10,000. However some of this was recouped in the replay at the Kassam Stadium which drew a crowd of 2,194. The stand was still in place for the visit of Eastbourne Borough in the League on New Year's Day, which drew the Rooks' biggest League attendance of the season: 1,152.

Cup runs aside the season itself can only be considered a great disappointment, with Lewes never looking like justifying pre-season favouritism at any stage. Fans were divided, with some appreciating the success that Steven King had brought to the club; whilst others became increasingly frustrated at the 'revolving door' policy with regards players which meant that the squad seldom had a settled look to it. With King offered a new two year contract from 2007/08, once can expect more of the same as he attempts to recapture the right balance that would once again see the Rooks as championship contenders ... and with a ground to match.

Description of ground
Although it is commonly believed that The Dripping Pan’s name derives from its shape - a natural bowl with a sloping grass bank on all four sides - it is more likely to originate from the days when monks used to pan for salt in the nearly River Ouse, the adjacent ground being known as The Priory.

There are those who don’t much like the Dripping Pan but it should be high on the list of places to visit for any serious ‘groundhopper’ as one of the most distinctive grounds in the County. However, the prohibition of Lewes to be allowed to compete in the Conference South play-offs in 2004/05 and 2005/06 due to a failure to meet grading requirements, has acted as the catalyst for ambitious long term plans.

The aforementioned grass banks that provide such an excellent view of the action, as well as the surrounding scenery (Lewes Castle for example) when things aren’t particularly interesting down below, unfortunately have to go if the Rooks are to progress any further up the Non League pyramid.

For many years the only substantial cover at the ground (and seating for that matter) was provided by the characterful long wooden South Stand that extended virtually the length of one touchline, sitting on the summit of the bank. However, its low roof and numerous supporting pillars meant that it was virtually impossible to gain an unobstructed view. During the 2006 close-season it was demolished to make way for a new 500 seat modern structure, built into the bank. This was completed in time for the visit of Darlington in the 1st Round of the FA Cup on 11 November 2006.

Although obviously lower than its predecessor, the view is good except for the floodlight pylons that still partially obstruct the view. There is also ample leg room for the larger spectator! Intrusion of the dugouts has been minimised as far as possible by sinking these below pitch level. Each contains 12 seats: one more than the new minimum Conference requirements. The main structure is nothing out of the ordinary, but its appearance is greatly enhanced by the smart curved roof fascia and a red neon strip along the front that becomes more apparent under floodlights. It was officially christened 'The Rookery Stand' in July 2007 prio to a pre-season friendly vs a West Ham United XI, with Lewes winning 2-0.

Partial excavation of the banking behind the Ham Lane goal heralded the beginnings of a large terrace that will intimately extend around to the new stand, with a compromise having been met with local planners who objected to the possible damage to an old flint wall at that end of the ground. Part of the bank to the other side of the goal has been completely excavated to make way for a new turnstile block and emergency access.

Back in April 2003, the club opened an impressive new covered terrace behind the near goal, affording great views and generating a great atmosphere when populated with the Rooks’ fans and those of arch-rivals Eastbourne Borough on derby days. Long term plans propose further upgrading, including a further terrace along the north touchline on the Mountfield Road side, and extension of the Philcox terrace as part of the ambitious multi-million pound ‘Active Lewes’ scheme.

A unique three storey building housing the clubhouse/bar, dressing rooms and function areas also stands behind the near goal with its windows looking out over the pitch. As with the rest of the ground, this has severe limitations when there is a big crowd at the Pan and creates a serious (and potentially dangerous) bottleneck.

Directions
On entering Lewes, follow signs to the station. From the station, turn left, then first left into Mountfield Road. Ground is 100 yards on the right.

There is a small pay & display car park outside the ground ... but don’t expect to get into it! There is a larger car park at the railway station a short walk away. It is also possible to park in Mountfield Road but the streets closer to the town centre have meter parking and are heavily patrolled by wardens.

Nearest railway station: Lewes (5 mins walk)

Map (link to www.streetmap.co.uk)