The Lewes football dream: Maybe we can change football for the better

They want to see a crackdown on gambling firms sponsoring the sport, greater fan ownership across football and more backing for the women’s game.

The dream was highlighted by Lewes FC director Charlie Dobres, who was speaking on behalf of all 12 directors of the club in a message to keep Rooks fans up to date with how the club was coping with the lockdown.

He said: “We don’t yet know when ‘normal’ will return to football and our community, we don’t know if it will be a different normal to before.

“There are some things as ever we’d love to change about football going forward, be that a curb on gambling sponsorship and advertising, greater fan ownership, or more clubs and sponsors backing women’s football.

“Maybe the new football world can be even better than before – let’s hope so. In fact let’s not just hope, let’s make it so.”

Lewes have already won many plaudits for treating their women’s players as equals to the men, and their vision of a fairer football landscape will come as no surprise to supporters.

Dobres also told fans the club should be able to survive financially despite not being able to stage games – and thanked those who had offeered to dip into their pockets.

He said: “Our players and staff have been particularly affected by all this. The good news is as everyone is paid through PAYE we have been able to take advantage of the government’s furlough scheme for all of them and will do so for as long as the rules allow.

“As for our first-team managers and coaches, Hugo, Simon and their staff have all been retained and furloughed to focus on being in the best shape possible for the restart of football, whenever that may be. The same applies to the small number of office and admin staff we employ.

“Financially, like all clubs, there is a significant challenge ahead. But thanks to government and council assistance, including the £10,000 grant that businesses can access, we will get through this period. It’s a challenge and we’ve been grateful for all offers of help, but we remain optimistic.

“Some people have asked us to look at pre-selling season tickets for whenever football starts again or perhaps doing a big push on ownership.

“We’re looking at this but we’re also very wary of calling on financial support from individuals when so many people are themselves struggling to get by and need to keep the money they do have.

“However if you absolutely do want to make a donation you can email me at [email protected].”