Dripping yarns

Lewes v Darlington

FA Cup Round One

Saturday November 11th, 2pm (NB early kick off)

The potential banana skin is served at the ground with perhaps the oddest name in English football - the Dripping Pan. And no, it's not sponsored by some local Chinese take-away, but has been called that since it became the home of the Sussex side 120 years ago.

The ground has been something of misfortune for Lewes in the last couple of seasons, as it has denied them progress as they push for promotion to the Conference.

This is only the Conference South side's second appearence in the FA Cup first round and their first at home. Their league form so far this season has been mixed. But nothing will matter today. It should be a good day out for southern DAFTS, but a nightmare journey for home-based and northern fans. Worth a weekend for those who can make it - Lewes and Brighton are worth the journey.

Man to watch Jean-Michel Sigere - 23 goals last season from the ex-Stevenage, Rushden & Diamonds and Bordeaux striker.

Full match previews on the D@rlo Uncovered website.

Fans' photos - were you at Lewes?

Were you among the Darlo fans at Lewes? See if you can spot yourself - click on the numbers above for enlarged photos from along the away fans' standing area. ©Photos: Ted Blair. DAFTS pre-match photos now on our gallery page.

DAFTS down the Pan - at the match

The Dripping Pan visit was certainly an experience - and an enjoyable one. Although, Sam Russell probably hasn't had to retrieve his ball from a building site since he was 11-years-old. © Photos: Ted Blair

The wonderfully quaint-sounding Dripping Pan ground has been home to Lewes since 1885, with its distinctive grass banks around the pitch. The name apparently originates from the days when monks used to pan for salt in the nearby River Ouse, with the neighbouring grounds known as The Priory. The club has started a rebuilding programme after being denied play-offs to the Conference for the last two seasons under ground regulations. There's a terrace behind the goal and a new 560-seater stand, which is expected to be officially opened in time. The club don't usually segregate for Conference South matches. TICKET PRICES - All ticket with 2,000 capacity, Darlington have been allocated 300 tickets - 250 tickets on general sale on Wednesday, 50 tickets will be held at Lewes and are available to Darlington exiles by post - send cheque payable to "Lewes 2000 FC Ltd" and enclose a SAE to: Lewes FC c/o Castle Works, Westgate Street, Lewes East Sussex BN7 1YR . Prices are£15 standing., £8 concessions for OAPs and under 16.

Lewes FC: The Dripping Pan, Mountfield Rd, Lewes East Sussex BN7 2XD Tel 01273 472100 Map and directions History: The club was formed at a meeting at The Royal Oak pub in 1885 and has been an the wonderfully named Dripping Pan ground since then. After an inauspicious start, in 1920 Lewes became founder members of the Sussex County League, although success largely eluded them until the 1960s. The club rose in the Isthmian League in the 1980s before falling to near bottom in the early 90s. They were revived under Jimmy Quinn's management and also with new owners at the club and are in the Conference South again this season, as their ground twice disqualified them from the play-offs and any hope of promotion. Average attendance: 532 (2005/2006) Capacity: 3,000 (inc 400 seats and 600 under cover) Last season: 4th Conference South Honours: Isthmian League Division 1 South champions 2004, Ryman League Division 2 champions 2000, Sussex League champions 1964/65, Athenian League 2 1968 and Div 1 champions 1970. Sussex Senior Cup 1965, 1971, 1985 and 2006. Best FA Cup run: Lost 2-0 at Stoke City (2000, only other appearence in 1st round) Nickname: The Rooks Colours: Red and black stripes Manager: Steve King Chairman: Terry Parris Famous fans/players/connections: Jimmy Quinn (manager), Terry Parris (player, manager and chairman) Click for Streetmap of ground

Anything worth adding? Please e-mail us any suggestions. Back to index page

Sadly it involves a trip on the M25, leaving the M1 at junction 6a (sign-posted Heathrow). Beware of the congestion and ongoing roadworks, heading towards Gatwick and Brighton, leaving the motorway at junction 7. Join the M23, which becomes the A27. Turn off the A27 for Lewes and turn right (signposted Rodmell and Piddinghoe) after about a mile at the first set of traffic lights. Follow that road until you get to a mini roundabout, at which you turn left. This road leads you all the way to the ground as long over the two mini roundabouts. Parking: There are several car parks north of the ground in the town centre but not much room and one close to the ground in Mountfield Road, "although spaces are almost non-existent." There's a handy map on the chamber of commerce website or a jolly illustrated town map Distance from Darlington - 323 miles

The three-storey clubhouse and terrace at the Dripping Pan © www.nomad-online.co.uk It's a very short five minute walk from the railway station - couldn't be easier. Mountfield Road adjoins Station Road. Lewes town centre is the other side of the station.

Lewes Taxis 01273 483232 Yellow Cars 01273 472727 Alpha 18 07736 144 878 Darlington FC Supporters Club Coach: £20, 5.30am. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington Supporters' Club for more details.

Trains (to be updated): London Victoria 09.47 arr 10.52, rtn 17.20-arr 18.27. Cheap day return £17.40 Birmingham New Street services go via London Euston and Victoria. A long and expensive trip from Darlington, as you can imagine, via London Kings Cross and Victoria. By air, you can travel to Gatwick, the nearest airport, from Newcastle with British Airways or possibly cheaper, via bmi from Durham Tees Valley to Heathrow, but you'd need to cross London and take a train from Victoria.

Historic Lewes is in the heart of the South Downs and the town itself is noted for its castle, also the house of Anne of Cleaves, given in a divorce settlement by Henry VIII. Sussex Tourism can point you in the direction of wider attractions. Sadly, we've missed the town's famous Bonfire Night celebrations by a week! Lewes Tourist Information Centre, 187 High Street Lewes Tel: 01273 483448 .
If staying over, there is Brighton a few miles away for plenty of choice at this time of year. The chamber of commerce lists hotels and guest houses for those wishing to stay in Lewes itself.

Real ale/Town centre There's enough real ale in this small town to keep (southern) DAFTS happy - a loud cheer went up when the draw was announced. See the Sussex Drinker for local CAMRA news. The Brewers Arms, 91 High Street Popular real ale pub, with the local Harvey's and other guest beers, although not the greatest selection. Open from 10am, this has a non-smoking lounge. Gardener's Arms, 46 Cliffe Street Worth a slight detour over the River Ouse to find this very friendly, small real ale pub. Harveys - not surprising as it's opposite the brewery and shop - plus four guest ales, all well kept and changing. The pub is run by a Lewes fan (other teams Swindon and Berwick Rangers), with something of a shrine devoted to the only English club in Scotland in the gents, so visiting fans from afar will feel a little at home. A runner up in the Brighton and district pub of the year in 2005. DAFTS recommended. Click for streetmap The Lewes Arms, 1 Mount Place This distinctive and quirky real ale pub, built into Lewes Castle walls has a good real ale choice, although there's apparently a move to push out the local brew Harveys in favour of Greene King beers. No mobile phones. Click for streetmap

Other town centre John Harvey Tavern, Bear Lane The Harvey's brewery tap. Next door used to be the Bear Brewery, where John Harvey first brewed in the 1820s. Kings Head, 9 Southover Street Traditional pub which serves Courage and Harveys and has a courtyard. Formerly part of the ancient Lewes Priory and close to Anne of Cleves house. Lansdown Arms 36 Lansdown Place, Close to the station. Lamb, 10 Fisher Street Friendly two-bar local pub with comfortable lounge. The pub boasts the ghost of a soldier reported rising from the cellar. There's a fish and chip shop in South Street and the usual choice in and around the High Street. Not a bad selection at the kiosk in the ground - the pies were pretty good, although no chips on our visit.

If you'd like to be e-mailed a regular bulletin with the latest updates on this site - including details of DAFTS members known to be travelling then E-mail DAFTS

Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express Online map
Hotels/B&Bs Lewes Council Lewes Today Viva LewesLewes Chamber of Commerce Brighton CAMRA

Surfing there...

The only website Lewes FC.com is a smart looking and easy to navigate site with all you really need to know. Also there is a Fans messageboard - RooksSquawk

Thanks to David Bauckham of Nomad Online for his assistance and permission to use the Dripping Pan photographs. His website has more information about Lewes' and other non-league grounds in Sussex. See also Pyramid Passion

Next away match:
Lincoln City (Saturday 18th November, 3pm)

No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling. Printer-friendly version of this page

© DAFTS 2006