Why it's a big weekend for Lewes FC's men's and women's teams

Fans get temperature checks on the way into the Dripping Pan for the Lewes Women v London Bees friendly / Picture: James Boyes

Hugo Langton’s team host Lancing in a friendly a week before their Isthmian League gets under way, while the women’s first XI make the long trip to Durham to start another campaign in the second tier.

The Lancing game, which will put the Rooks against the side who topped the Southern Combination League when football was halted last March, is the first for the men with fans allowed in at The Dripping Pan. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Club chairman Stuart Fuller said: “As this is our final test event before the Isthmian League season starts on September 19, our capacity will be limited to just 250.”

“Tickets must be bought in advance from our online ticket shop – go to www.tickettailor.com/events/lewesfootballclub2/419790

Adult tickets are £6, concessions £4 and a limited number of Kids Go Free tickets are available.

The club shop and the Rook Inn will both be open.

Fuller added: “Gates open at 2pm and please allow plenty of time to enter the ground as we will have to carry out the necessary COVID-19 checks.”

On Sunday, attention switches to the club’s women’s side, who go into their Championship season aiming to improve on last term’s ninth-placed finish.

They begin with a trip to Durham while their first home game at The Dripping Pan is scheduled for September 27.

Other notable dates in the Lewes’ fixture list include back-to-back home games against Charlton and Crystal Palace on December 6 and 13. The season is due to end on May 2 with a visit to Crystal Palace.

In another exciting development for Lewes Women, they have been signed up to take part in the Athens Women’s Football Summit.

The event was held for the first time last year and was a huge success.

This year’s will be online, but will feature an even wider range of topics and speakers – and Lewes FC will be a strategic partner.

AthensWFS was created to help bring about social change and achieve women’s equal footing in football. Its goal to build investment in the women’s game.