Matt Pole is joined by Sussex sport guru Steve Bone and two guests - Will Hugall, who covers football and other sports across Sussex for us, and Lewes FC men’s manager Craig Nelson.
Craig was appointed as the new manager at the Dripping Pan at the end of last season following the departure of Tony Russell and has had a successful season at the helm.
Pitts’ as he is known, had been managing Glebe FC in the 2023-24 season at step five of the non-league pyramid, where he had the team sitting at the top of the league for most of the season.
In his playing career, he became established at Tooting & Mitcham before progressing into coaching, and then on to what was his first managerial role at Glebe.
After he was appointed at Lewes, plenty of neutrals thought the Rooks could struggle in the Isthmian Premier with a new management team untried at step three and with many other changes at the club too, on and off the field.
But the Rooks got off to a flyer and led the table at one stage. Results have evened out as the season has gone but they have been well clear of the relegation battle throughout and will finish after this weekend’s final game somewhere between 12th and 14th.
But the bad news for Lewes fans is this will be Craig’s final game in the Dripping Pan dugout - as was announced recently, he has landed the role of manager of Tonbridge Angels, who are in the National League South.
Craig was appointed as the new manager at the Dripping Pan at the end of last season following the departure of Tony Russell and has had a successful season at the helm.
Pitts’ as he is known, had been managing Glebe FC in the 2023-24 season at step five of the non-league pyramid, where he had the team sitting at the top of the league for most of the season.
In his playing career, he became established at Tooting & Mitcham before progressing into coaching, and then on to what was his first managerial role at Glebe.
After he was appointed at Lewes, plenty of neutrals thought the Rooks could struggle in the Isthmian Premier with a new management team untried at step three and with many other changes at the club too, on and off the field.
But the Rooks got off to a flyer and led the table at one stage. Results have evened out as the season has gone but they have been well clear of the relegation battle throughout and will finish after this weekend’s final game somewhere between 12th and 14th.
But the bad news for Lewes fans is this will be Craig’s final game in the Dripping Pan dugout - as was announced recently, he has landed the role of manager of Tonbridge Angels, who are in the National League South.
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SportsTranscript
00:00Welcome to another episode of the Sussex Non-League Podcast, where we take a look at all the latest goings on at grassroots football across the county.
00:08I'm Matt Pohl, and on this edition, I'm joined by Sussex sport guru Steve Bone and two guests, Will Huggle, who covers football and other sports across Sussex for us, as well as Lewis FC men's manager Craig Nelson.
00:18Craig was appointed as the new manager at the Dripping Pan at the end of last season following the departure of Tony Russell and has had a successful season at the helm.
00:26Pitts, as he is known, had been managing Glebe FC in the 2023-24 season at step five of the non-league pyramid, where he had the team sitting at the top of the league for most of the season.
00:36In his playing career, he became established at Tootingham-Mitchin before progressing into coaching and then on to what was his first managerial role at Glebe.
00:43After he was appointed at Lewis, plenty of neutrals thought the Rooks could struggle in the Isthmian Premier with a new management team untried at step three, with many other changes at the club too, on and off the field.
00:53But the Rooks got off to a flyer and led the table at one stage. Results have evened out as the season has gone, but they have been well clear of the relevation battle throughout and will finish after this weekend's final game somewhere between 12th and 14th.
01:05But the bad news for Lewis fans, this will be Craig's final game in the Dripping Pan dugout.
01:10As was announced recently, he has landed the role of manager of Tunbridge Angels, who are in the National League South.
01:15Welcome to the podcast, Craig. Thank you very much for joining us today.
01:19How are you and how are you feeling ahead of what will be your final game as Lewis boss this weekend?
01:24Yeah, I really appreciate it, guys. Thanks for having me on. And I'm well.
01:28The sun is trying to come out, so it always makes the day a little bit better.
01:32And yeah, I think it's going to be an emotional one, if I'm honest, in the short time that I've been here.
01:38I found some real connections, both on and off the pitch and with the fans, etc.
01:43And kind of bittersweet. But yeah, so I'm looking forward to it because it is a game of football.
01:49It gives us another chance to get in front of the old faithful that's been supporting us through thick and thin this season.
01:55And I look forward to that. But it is going to be an emotional rollercoaster, I think, throughout the day.
02:04Yeah. And Pitts, it's been a pleasure working, covering Lewis this season and working with you to get your thoughts on some of the games and seeing how teams progressed and so on.
02:15I was thinking, how would you sum up your season in charge of the club?
02:20And has it turned out, you know, as you expected or exceeded expectations?
02:25Because initially there were fears of relegation when you came in, right?
02:29Yeah, sure. I think I think changes, it always makes some people feel uncomfortable.
02:34Right. But I kind of relish in the change because it allows opportunity.
02:40And then you've got to come in and do what you know you can.
02:43But that's never the easy part. Right.
02:45But football, I've been in football for such a long time.
02:48It is always a journey, no matter if you're riding top of the table for long periods of time or not.
02:54It rollercoasters, you go through a mixed bag of emotions, both as staff and as players and as directors and everybody involved, etc.
03:04So that that's always going to happen.
03:07But the good thing was, I think we we started and went into the season feeling that we could establish ourself at the level.
03:17So from behind the scenes, it was always positive, even though there was a lot of change from a club perspective and obviously a whole new bunch of players and managers that needed to kind of engage with the fans and the local community.
03:29But we thought we could go in there and do well.
03:34So I think overall, we've done exactly what we've set out to do in terms of making sure we stayed established within the league, which was kind of rule number one.
03:46And two was really to build the foundations of what could be for the following season.
03:50And I know we'll get on to kind of that part of the conversation a little bit later.
03:58But I think from coming in and the way we started, it took everyone by surprise, apart from probably us as a management team, to be fair.
04:06And I think, Will, if you go back to one of our early recent conversations, we expected people not to understand what to expect from us.
04:15So that played in our hands massively because there wasn't data on the players that we brought down.
04:22There wasn't any eyes on the style of football we played, which played into our hands quite perfectly.
04:28And it meant that teams and managers and coaches had to figure us out on the day, which is never an easy thing to do, regardless of who you are or how experienced you are.
04:37And with a young, hungry, energetic side, we started the season exactly like that.
04:45Throughout the middle, I think we've drawn too many games, but it happens with an inexperienced team.
04:53And unfortunately, we experienced like four major losses into our squad, which were the nucleus of our success and the experienced players.
05:04And I think if you was to do that to any team in the league, regardless of how much budget they have or who they could get back in, it will dent them in some way.
05:16Unfortunately, we wasn't able in that period of time to get over the line.
05:21So we were still highly competitive.
05:24Apart from one game that comes to mind, we haven't been beat by much across the course of the season if we did.
05:32And if we drew, we were well in games or we might have been winning games and then ended up drawing.
05:37Right.
05:38But I think those injuries have been a critical element of trying to keep a small squad based on the resources we had available to us.
05:50We couldn't expand our wings a little bit further than that.
05:53And having those injuries meant a slight lack in quality of what we've been able to bring in, which then has made the results have kind of gone that way as well.
06:04And when we've had more fit and available players, we went for a little rehaul just after Christmas and results started to pick back up again, which was good.
06:15So we kind of emulated the beginning of the season, went on a three or four game run.
06:20I think it may have been six unbeaten.
06:22But again, against the better teams or what you would class if you looked at the table as better teams in the league.
06:28And now it's just getting over the line because the news of obviously me moving on, it changes the feeling in the camp.
06:37Yeah, you can't kind of get away from that, but it's credit to the team because they've they've stuck on task.
06:46They've committed to what we're doing still.
06:49The morale is still high and the expectation from us and them is that they still cross that white line trying to win games of football.
06:57So, yeah, it's it's been a roller coaster if I was to sum it up in one word, but but a very pleasurable and enjoyable one.
07:06And I've met some people behind the scenes that I feel will be long life friends and the connection to the club.
07:12I've never I've never felt like this before.
07:15It's definitely from a managerial perspective.
07:19And only one club, I think, can kind of I won't say who it is because other clubs may be, oh, it's not us.
07:25But that sense of community and pride and togetherness and pulling in the right direction and doing the right thing and that that layer of integrity,
07:36it screams so loud from from being at this club and being a part of it.
07:40And I'll truly forever treasure it wherever I go.
07:44And who knows, one day we may cross paths again.
07:48You've touched upon it there, Craig, a little bit.
07:50You mentioned the people behind the scenes, but who have been the key people who have helped you make a success of your time?
07:55At Lewis, both on and off the field.
07:57Yes, it's a great question. And I think from early on, it will change from what who it is now that the ship is steady.
08:05But Ryan, Ryan, who now heads our operations for both the men and women's team when I day one, when I stepped in,
08:14he was everything I needed in terms of one.
08:19He understood what the club was all about.
08:20So he gave me the nuances for that.
08:23And then just from a day to day, hands on, what do you need perspective?
08:27He he was amazing and he was working back to back to back because you can imagine there was two changes.
08:35We're just working from the men's perspective.
08:37He was doing it from a club perspective and trying to support the women.
08:41He was recruiting for the women's team.
08:44He was ordering kit.
08:45I think early days without him, it would have been more of a struggle.
08:49And then going on, I could be here naming everyone to be to be totally honest with you.
08:54But I think my my first thanks would have to go to the directors and Trevor for believing that I could do what we've done this year.
09:04And I know it's cut short, but the plan of the project was would have definitely been to progress.
09:10So, yeah, given me the opportunity to be able to come into the club, such a big club like this is something I will never forget.
09:19And then John Peel, who is literally like my right arm.
09:23I think we talk probably 20 times a day about various different things.
09:27And we both joke quite a lot about writing a book about how the season's gone, about the ups and downs that we've had to endure and trials and tribulations.
09:37It's been unbelievable.
09:40If we was to get into the nitty gritty of the details, you wouldn't believe some of the things that we've had to go through this year just to get to the end of the season.
09:48I think Kelly coming in as the new COO, she's been a breath of fresh air.
09:53She's been amazing.
09:54She supports both men and women's team and the vision of the club is really in good hands.
10:03If they can pull off what the plan, the delayed plans are, it will be an amazing place to be.
10:11And she always checks in from a mental health and welfare perspective, whether it's going good or bad.
10:16It's not just when it was rocky, she was checking in.
10:20She's been a real good, great layer of support for both myself and the staff.
10:24So, shout outs to Kelly.
10:27Shrey, who does absolutely everything.
10:30He's our community liaison, but he's been doing comms.
10:35Yeah, he's been liaising with schools to get us in front of them.
10:39He works with the local food banks.
10:43And I think it's just a real, what you're getting a sense of is a real, doesn't matter what my job is,
10:48we're here to muck in, to kind of get the job done and whatever you need, we'll do it.
10:54And that's kind of everyone I've met.
10:56Bambi and the staff behind the restaurant, I say restaurant, the food, the hospitality, the bar,
11:06all of them have played a part in kind of making it feel special.
11:11Steph, who's no longer with us, who was our commercial director.
11:14She was amazing.
11:16Her and Karen on day one gave us a tour of what it meant to be a Rook
11:21and what Lewis means to them and the local community.
11:25They really added a layer of this is what we're about.
11:29And we want to make sure that we do stand out and we do fight for the causes that we believe in,
11:35whatever that might look like, both as a club and an individual.
11:39I thought that was really powerful.
11:41And Simon, our groundsman, if you've been there, you'll understand why he will get a mention
11:48because that is an unbelievable playing surface.
11:52And I've never seen someone pay so much attention to detail in just their own sheer pride.
11:59Forget people playing on it.
12:00His want for that pitch to be the best it is was a real joy to watch and a pleasure to have conversations
12:09about him and his family and his hobbies and enjoyment as well.
12:14So they're just a few.
12:16Like I said, I could be here quite some time.
12:19But when I say I've made some lifelong friends, I really do mean that.
12:25And Pits, obviously, you'll depart with a whole load of credit after Saturday.
12:35But in terms of looking at Lewis's short term and longer term future,
12:40do you see it as a club that has the potential to go up to National League South and potentially survive there?
12:45Or, you know, what do you kind of see for the future for Lewis?
12:49Yeah, most definitely.
12:50Like I said, it's got some amazing people behind the scenes.
12:53And I think that is the foundations to any successful club.
12:56They won't make a rash decision on who they appoint.
13:00I know that through going through a grueling interview process when I got the job,
13:08they are very much wanting to get the right person first,
13:12but also someone that they believe their brand of football is the right way to them.
13:18Right. There's loads of ways to play, but they're very specific around who that individual
13:24or individuals in the management team will be.
13:27And I think anybody looking outside in, the magnitude of the club is massive.
13:31I think it could go way beyond National League South.
13:34But they are not foolish in the process of what that looks like to get them there.
13:41And I think with the knock of the women's team coming out of the PL2,
13:46it did send shudders through the club a little bit.
13:51But again, they're putting a structure in place to make sure this year that I've been entrusted with
13:57was to build the foundations for better in the future.
14:01So they will do it, but they will do it the right way, whether it be the slow way,
14:06as in year one is in the year that I've been in there to build, year two to progress,
14:12year three to maybe compete.
14:14They're along that course.
14:16I can definitely say that.
14:18And I definitely feel they'll get it right in the future to come for sure.
14:24And I hope they do. I really do hope they do.
14:27Craig, tell us what's in store for you at Tumbridge Angels.
14:30It's another big step up the levels for you.
14:32What's the plan and the dream at Tumbridge as it's been in sold to you?
14:36Do you know what? It's very similar to me stepping in here at Lewis, believe it or not.
14:41Oops, my dog.
14:43They're nuts in the background.
14:45But yeah, it's very, very similar to stepping in at Lewis.
14:50It will be a little bit of a rebuild.
14:52They've got a few contracted players that I will obviously step in to work with.
14:58And I will then have to recruit for the roles that are vacant.
15:03I know you may not believe me, but I have only been focused on here at Lewis so far.
15:09So I haven't actually stepped into the world.
15:11I understand a little bit, but my intention hasn't been to go and look at what that rebuild looks like just yet.
15:19But again, it is build the foundations year one, making sure we establish ourselves and maintain our status in the National League South.
15:29Better it in year two and then see if we can compete in year three.
15:33Similar to where we are now financially, they'll be looking at how they can improve not just the playing budget, etc.,
15:40but the facilities at the club to then make themselves either a very strong National League South team
15:46or hopefully getting promoted within the years to come to be a National League team.
15:52So, yeah, it's a carbon copy, but a lot closer to where I actually reside,
15:57which was a formed part of the process of my decision making to kind of take the opportunity.
16:11And it will be a very emotional end to your tenure with Lewis this weekend.
16:18Pits, what is your parting message to, I suppose, the players, the fans, the committee, everyone involved in the club?
16:27I think it's to keep being them.
16:30And I mean that in the most sincere way because it is a feeling that I've never felt in football before.
16:37And for fans in the club to be able to generate that, as long as they keep doing that,
16:43they will be a massive success in the years to come.
16:47So, it's a heartfelt thanks for the warm embrace that I was able to come in and feel.
16:55It is a very special place with very special people and one that I will forever treasure and they will forever stay dear to my heart.
17:04So, I understand some people may be annoyed or frustrated,
17:09but those are the fans that I've spoken to over the last couple of weeks.
17:14It's only wished me well.
17:15They understand that it is progress and something a little bit closer for me.
17:21And they thank me for being here.
17:23So, I just, I can't do enough for them.
17:26So, hopefully, we can just go on and win the last game.
17:28It has been mission completed from a, yeah, a conversation of not getting relegated.
17:35We've done that for them.
17:36I'm happy that we've been able to do that and we've built the foundations for them to hopefully next year go on and do a little bit better than where we finished this year.
17:45So, yeah, just nothing but admiration and praise for them welcoming not just me, but a whole new team pretty much and my management staff.
17:55And I think if you spoke to any of them and the players, it's been an amazing place to be.
18:00So, don't change that for anybody else walking through the door because it really does act like a 12th person or even more so.
18:09But it's a really nice place to be with.
18:13And if you change that, it could change the fabric, but I don't think they will be.
18:18They couldn't do it any different way.
18:20So, yeah, just a big thank you.
18:23Well, thank you to Craig.
18:24And we'll be coming back to you throughout the rest of the episode.
18:26But now we'll be moving on to looking at how Sussex's non-league club has been getting on.
18:30And we'll start in the Isthmian Premier, where, as we have said, Lewis are set to finish in mid-table.
18:34But in terms of Sussex clubs, they are very much in the minority, with only Whitehawk for company in that section of standings.
18:40Steve, how have things panned out in recent weeks for Horsham and Chichester City at the top end of the table and Hastings and Bognor at the table?
18:48Yeah, and I've got my dogs joining in now, just so Craig's don't feel on their own.
18:54So that's good, evening things up a bit.
18:56Yeah, we've had interest, as you know, for all season at both ends of the table.
19:02Sadly, Hastings and Bognor have now gone, both relegated last Saturday.
19:06It was on the cards for a while, really, for both of them.
19:08No great surprise.
19:10It was a case of when and not if.
19:11But I think still a sense of surprise around Sussex that both have gone.
19:17You know, you wouldn't have expected at the start of the season that either of those two would be anywhere near the bottom.
19:23We've heard from both camps this week in our local papers and on Sussex World,
19:29very much now, you know, rebuild starts now, already starting to think about what they do for recruitment,
19:35how they cope with step four next season.
19:37We think both will be in the Isthmian South East.
19:40There's a chance that Bognor could go over to Isthmian South Central.
19:43But I think it'd be quite nice for Sussex if both are in the South East.
19:47That could be quite a good battle for the title between them and others that will want to have a go as well.
19:54But so sad to see those two go from one end.
19:57And now it's all eyes on the other end.
19:59Final weekend of the season.
20:01So much hanging on it for Horsham and Chichester.
20:04Horsham are in a three-way battle for the title.
20:08Billericke top, Horsham second, Dartford third.
20:11But they're all so close, you know, you can barely separate them.
20:15They've got every chance of ending the afternoon in top spot.
20:19Obviously, whoever wins the title gets the one automatic promotion spot.
20:22The other two will get home playoffs.
20:26So, you know, best of luck to Horsham for that one.
20:29And then just below them, Chichester are playing Dover in what some are calling a playoff for a playoff place.
20:36It's winner takes all at Oaklands Park.
20:39Dover are ahead on goal difference, but they're level on points.
20:42So Chichester need to beat Dover.
20:44If they do, they will sneak into fifth and get a playoff for the second season running.
20:49You know, we all remember what they did a year ago in the Isthmian South East.
20:52That was amazing.
20:53This would be even more amazing.
20:55A draw is enough for Dover.
20:57So whether Dover come down and just play a bit cagely and think, well, actually, let's just keep it tight.
21:03And if we get a draw, we'll go away happy.
21:06If that does happen, if Chichester do miss out, they've still had a great season.
21:09They're still one of our teams of the season, aren't they?
21:12So it's been great, that division.
21:14You know, we've had six Sussex teams.
21:16We've been keeping an eye on all season.
21:17And there's been something happening all around, really.
21:20But best of luck to those two teams for the weekend.
21:25Absolutely.
21:25And Craig, you've seen Horsham and Chichester at close quarters in games versus Lewis this season.
21:30How do you rate them both?
21:31And who's your money on for the Isthmian Premier title on Saturday?
21:34Yeah, it's a really tough one.
21:36Do you know what?
21:37There's a bit of me that wants to sit on the fence and just see what happens.
21:40But I think Horsham were really good.
21:43I think they're one of the best teams in the league for me.
21:46Because they can, not only do they have the experience, but they can mix it really well.
21:51They can play and be direct when they need to.
21:54And defensively, they've been quite solid all season.
21:57I think they will be kicking themselves a little bit, probably saying they lost a bit more than they would have anticipated.
22:03But at the start of the season, if you spoke to anyone, they would have probably tipped them to be right up where they are.
22:09So, they could get over the line.
22:13But it's in Biliriki's hands to lose in terms of goal difference.
22:17And again, another top side that have, their train has been steamrolling through people at the moment.
22:26So, I think that if you were to speak to their camp, they will be very positive about a positive result and them winning the title as well.
22:36And Chichester, for me, have been unbelievable.
22:39I watched them a lot last year because of their style of football, I thought it was really good.
22:44And their brand and style are very similar to how we play.
22:48I had a lot of conversations with their management team after both games.
22:53Very complementary of each other.
22:55So, I'd like to see them get into the playoffs if they can.
23:01But I think splitting hairs between Biliriki and Horsham, I'm not sure.
23:07But I think over the course of the last couple of games, I think Biliriki could do it.
23:12But, yeah, it will be exciting nonetheless.
23:17It will be indeed.
23:18And the excitement continues in National League South for Eastman Borough and Worthing.
23:22Steve, what are the latest twists and turns and what might or might not happen in tomorrow's final round of regular league games?
23:28Where I believe, I think, six teams can potentially win the title?
23:31Yeah.
23:32I mean, the National League South makes the Isthmian Premier division look quite dull, really, by comparison.
23:37Because Isthmian Premier has got three teams going for the title.
23:40Well, National League South has got six, which is unbelievable after, you know, they've all played 45 games and they are that close at the top.
23:48Obviously, our interest in Sussex is with Worthing and Eastbourne.
23:54Both go into the final day with a good chance of the title.
23:57Both are probably thinking they're probably going to end up in the playoffs, but they've got a chance.
24:02So, the situation is, just for those who don't know, Truro currently top with 86 points.
24:08Torquay a second, also on 86 and with a goal difference that's worse by two.
24:13Eastbourne Borough and Worthing are both one point behind those two.
24:17Eastbourne ahead of Worthing on goal difference.
24:19And then Boreham Wood and Dorking both on 83 points, so two points further back.
24:24They're all playing someone different.
24:26You know, there's none of them playing each other.
24:27So, they've all just got to go for it and hope that others slip up.
24:32Worthing go to Enfield, which won't be easy.
24:36Eastbourne Borough at home, and they have been very good at home.
24:39They haven't lost at home all season.
24:40They're at home to Western Supermare.
24:42All that both teams can do is just make sure they get the job done themselves, because what you don't want to do is come out with a draw and then find that if you'd won, you would have won the title.
24:55A couple of teams of those six are going to end up second and third, so they'll have home playoff semifinals.
25:03If you finish fourth to seventh in that league, which is obviously quite possible for any of those teams, you're facing a playoff eliminator in order to get to an away semifinal.
25:14So, that's quite a hard route through the playoffs if that happens.
25:19You know, Worthing fans will look back at the times when they've been top and the ball's been in their court, and they've just seen it slip a little bit.
25:29But, you know, over Easter, for example, they drew at Eastbourne on Good Friday and went top and were ecstatic because they were back in top spot.
25:38And then Easter Monday, they drew again with Dorking and a slip to fourth, which just shows the sort of crazy nature of it, really.
25:45So, exciting, very sort of nerve-wracking for all involved.
25:49All we can do is wish our two Sussex teams well, but they've both been doing really well at the top end.
25:57I think it'll be different next season.
25:59I think it'll be a one-horse race.
26:00Tunbridge Angels are going to run away with it next season, aren't they, Craig?
26:03So, we won't have been six-horse races.
26:08Bases for the title, perhaps, or maybe we will, and maybe Tunbridge will be one of the teams in it.
26:11But, again, best of luck to both our teams at the top end on Saturday.
26:16Absolutely.
26:17And on to the Isthmian South East Division, Steve.
26:19Talk us through how the various Sussex side in that division have ended up, including one who are still dreaming of promotion to Step 3.
26:25That's right.
26:26Better start with Burgess Hill, haven't we?
26:28We say it on every podcast.
26:30Burgess Hill are third.
26:31They've been third since about 1993, I think.
26:34Seems like it anyway.
26:35So, they've finished third.
26:37They will be at home to Margate in the play-off semi-final.
26:41That's going to take place at Leyland's Park next Tuesday.
26:45Sitting Vaughan will play Merstam.
26:48I think that's assured now in the other semi-final.
26:52So, you would think that Sitting Vaughan and Burgess Hill are favourites to get through to the final, which would be at Sitting Vaughan if that happened.
27:00But, play-offs do funny things to teams, you know, as we saw in this division last season with Chichester beating Ramsgate and then three bridges.
27:08You know, nothing is assured.
27:10But Burgess Hill have done really well, been consistent over the season.
27:13Good home record.
27:14They've scored plenty of goals at home.
27:15They'll be confident going into that play-off next Tuesday.
27:19They'll expect a big crowd.
27:21Probably more than 1,000 in for that one, I would think.
27:24So, good luck to them.
27:25Further down the league, it's all settled.
27:27I think on the last podcast, I think Lansing and Stenning were already down.
27:33They're just sort of battling to avoid finishing bottom.
27:37The good news at the bottom is that Littlehampton are safe.
27:41Phoenix Sports have taken the final relegation place there.
27:44So, Littlehampton have stayed up with a couple of games to spare.
27:46That was assured over Easter.
27:48So, well done to Mitch Hand, George Gaskell and co. down there.
27:52And then we've got quite a few teams have finished in mid-table.
27:55Three Bridges weren't too far off the play-off picture themselves in the end.
28:01Just fell a little bit short at the end.
28:04Looked like they're going to finish seventh.
28:06And then Broadbridge Heath, Eastbourne, East Grinstead, all just below halfway.
28:13They've all had good seasons.
28:13These are all teams that at different times have come up from the step below.
28:18Eastbourne Town in their first season at that step for a little while have done particularly well.
28:25And lots to build on for next season for all those teams.
28:29Yeah, absolutely.
28:29And now we turn to the SCFL, which also has its final day of league fixtures tomorrow before the playoffs kick in.
28:36Will, talk us through what we know at the top and bottom of the SCFL Premier and Division One and what's still up for grabs.
28:42Yeah, well, as we know, Haseks have completely run away with the Premier Division title.
28:50So wrapped up, Krober have got second spot, but it's the rest of the playoffs that are looking really interesting this weekend.
28:57So there's five teams fighting for three spots, essentially.
29:01And the clash of the weekend is Hayward Teeth against Peacehaven.
29:06So excuse me while I glance over my notes, because there's a lot to keep on top of this weekend.
29:13So yes, Hayward Teeth in fourth.
29:14You know, they were competing for the title earlier this season and running Haseks pretty close.
29:19Obviously, they've had a tailing off of their season while Peacehaven have, you know, recovered incredibly.
29:25And, you know, moving into their new home or renovated home, I should say, with the new 3G pitch has completely transformed their season.
29:32And they're looking to finish the season with, as they admitted on their social media accounts, a very surprised playoff space.
29:40So I was crunching the numbers and I was looking at it.
29:43And though unlikely, a 4-0 win for Peacehaven this weekend would see them overtake Hayward Teeth and potentially knock Hayward Teeth out of the playoffs to then gain a spot themselves.
29:54Elsewhere, Eastbourne United finishing the season extremely strongly.
29:59Five wins in the last five league games.
30:02Really good form.
30:04They look pretty safe, pretty secure, although they do have to go to Shoreham on the final day, who are involved in the relegation battle, as we will come on to.
30:15So that could be an interesting one there.
30:17And the other teams involved in it, calling down Gatwick, currently in fifth.
30:22Petersfield currently in sixth.
30:24So Petersfield and Peacehaven, sixth and seventh are currently out of it.
30:27They need results to go their way, but they also need to do the job themselves.
30:33And all of these teams have got tricky fixtures away from home.
30:36So calling down Gatwick, have to go away to Midhurst, which isn't easy.
30:40Petersfield have to go away to Roffey, who at one stage looked like being certain of a playoff spot, but have had their tailing off of their season as well.
30:47So all of that will make for a very interesting picture on the final day.
30:52And yeah, five teams battling for three spots is never going to be easy.
30:56There's always going to be a few broken hearts in there.
30:59Then looking at the bottom of the Premier Division, there's one relegation spot remaining, essentially, and it's between three teams to try and scrap to avoid it.
31:10So sitting 19th at the moment are Lockswood on 29 points, minus 52 goal difference.
31:16One spot above them, Shoreham, also 29 points, but a minus 47 goal difference.
31:21And 17th place, Nittle Common, slightly above on 30 points and a minus 37 goal difference.
31:28So essentially, it's on Lockswood to try and get a result to save themselves.
31:32And they're going away to, not the easiest of places, Krober.
31:38So it looks like a tricky task for them to pull away from it.
31:42But then again, Krober don't necessarily have much to play for.
31:46They'll play for pride, they'll play for points, of course, and they'll play to continue their incredible form ahead of a cup final.
31:52But they know they're going to finish second.
31:54So there'll be some interesting looks from Shoreham and Nittle Common about the line-up, potentially, that Krober put out and how that game pans out.
32:05But should Lockswood pull off a result, then we've got to look at Shoreham and Nittle Common.
32:10Shoreham are going to be at home, as we say, against Eastbourne United, which could well be the game of the weekend.
32:16You've got two teams who are desperate for playoff and relegation avoidance there.
32:21So that's going to be spectacular, I think.
32:24And Nittle Common are away at Pagham, which is a game between, I believe, two of the lowest scorers in the division.
32:31So it's got nil-nil written all over it, I feel.
32:36Then we'll head to Division I, and the title fight is still on.
32:43Seaford and Forest Row have been there all season with each other, scrapping away,
32:47you know, also losing form at the same time, weirdly.
32:52But it looks like it's Seaford's to lose this weekend.
32:56So hopefully, you know, as an East Sussex man or a lower East Sussex man, I'm kind of in the Seaford camp.
33:04I'm not trying to be too biased, but I think having been in Division I for a long time, having seen them go through ups and downs in terms of form,
33:12it would be really nice to see them win the title this weekend.
33:14And they're heading away to Starrington to go and try to do that.
33:18So, small pitch, not always an easy place to go at Starrington.
33:23So, fingers crossed for them.
33:25But should they win, they secure the title.
33:28If they slip up, they allow some room for Forest Row, currently second, to nip in.
33:34They're currently two points behind Seaford, so would be OK with either a draw or a loss for Seaford.
33:41But they've got Dorking Wanderers B at home.
33:44And top goalscorer in the division, really good team, Dorking Wanderers B.
33:48Had they not been a B team, they would be sure of a playoff spot.
33:51Unfortunately, they're not going to have the playoff spot, of course, because of the league rules.
33:54But an incredible team this season, and they'll be keen to spoil Forest Row's party as well.
33:59So, then you look slightly lower, the playoffs is still interesting.
34:04So, fifth and sixth spot are going to get playoffs because Dorking Wanderers B can't get in the playoffs.
34:09So, it's between Infinity, Arundel, Worthing United and Chessington and Hook.
34:15Four teams competed for two spots.
34:17And there's a very interesting match between Arundel and Worthing United,
34:22who I believe currently are sixth and seventh, if I'm correct.
34:26But Arundel on 65 points, Worthing United is currently out of the playoffs on 64 points.
34:32Worthing United do have the superior goal difference, but they have to go to Arundel and win.
34:37So, that's an incredible story there.
34:39That will be a game to watch, one of the games of the weekend for me.
34:43If they can do that, that would be amazing and turn that around.
34:47Infinity look reasonably safe in the playoffs.
34:50They've got Copthorne at home, who relegated already, so should be a customary win for them.
34:58You would imagine, and Chessington, if they can capitalise on Arundel,
35:04I believe they have to rely on Infinity losing and one of Arundel or Worthing United losing.
35:12So, it looks unlikely for Chessington, but they've got Oakwood at home.
35:16So, they'll go out there for the win and try to get that sorted as well.
35:19And, as I say, relegation picture is already sorted.
35:21So, it's just down to the title and the play-off in Division 1.
35:24Absolutely.
35:25And we're one of the teams you cover extensively, Ringmer.
35:27Looking forward to joining the SCFL Division 1 next season.
35:30Tell us about the rates for promotion, sorry, from the Mid-Sussex Premier that they've been involved in
35:35and how are they fixed for the climb up to Step 6 next season?
35:39Yeah, well, as a proud Ringmer man, I'm delighted to say that they have secured promotion, of course, to Step 6 football.
35:49It's been a long time coming.
35:51The last time Ringmer were in the Southern combination was 2017-2018 season
35:55and Ringmer FC then went into administration, went bust after that.
35:59The new club merged with AFC Ringmer, has come around, started in 2020 and has finally got there.
36:07Had two chances to go for a promotion before, but didn't quite make it.
36:11I mean, mostly to ground grading and the boards, not necessarily deciding to go up,
36:16but everything is now in place, everything's sorted, ground grading's secured.
36:21They've won the promotion race with Westfield.
36:24So it was essentially a mini-league in the end.
36:28Finishing first or second didn't matter.
36:29It was just a case of finishing in the top five,
36:32finishing above the only other team that applied for a promotion in Westfield.
36:35And they secured it last weekend with a 4-0 win over Ridgewood.
36:39Everyone's delighted, but attention's turned to the title potentially this Saturday.
36:45And it's a four-way fight for the Mid-Sussex Premier Division title this weekend.
36:51Fascinating in itself, Crowhurst leading the table currently, have played all their games.
36:57They've set the target at 52 points.
37:00Oxfad in second have been title favourites for a long time,
37:04played catch-up this season as they did last season,
37:07owing to their ground, you know, not being as reliable for games earlier in the season,
37:12particularly during the winter.
37:14So they have been playing catch-up, but they've done it well.
37:16They've put themselves in prime position, 50 points going into this weekend,
37:20one game left, heading away to Tunbridge Wells seconds.
37:24Not an easy pitch, it is a bobbly pitch,
37:26but Oxfad are potentially used to that themselves, having played on one themselves.
37:30And then third and fourth, the other two teams that can win the title,
37:34Ringmer and Balcombe, play each other.
37:36So Ringmer head to Balcombe.
37:38Both teams know that they have to win to have any chance of getting a title.
37:42And they'll try to do that and just hope that Oxfad slip up in any way.
37:46So it'll be a fantastic end to the season there as well.
37:50Yeah, another fantastic final day there.
37:52Craig, we've touched about the highs and lows of Sussex clubs so far this season.
37:56Being your year in Sussex, have you had a chance to make good contacts
37:59with many other clubs in the county?
38:01And how do you see the state of Sussex non-league football generally?
38:04Is it going in the right direction, do you think?
38:06Yeah, for sure.
38:06We've done a hell of a lot of recruiting in the area, to be fair,
38:10just to get eyes on what the level is and for our younger youth side
38:16is seeing where we can probably establish that connection
38:19to support their development in loans
38:22and then bringing them back into first team football with us
38:25because the jump between 18s and step three is quite big.
38:28So, yeah, the management have changed, but I knew the previous manager at Lansing.
38:37So we shared many a conversation about players and developing their players
38:45and potential loans from ours.
38:48Jack Mears, before joining us, was there.
38:52And, yeah, obviously he was at Haywards Heath before that.
38:56So, and Joss Spinks come from Haywards Heath as well and Lewis Finney.
39:00So we've been active in terms of getting eyes on the ground
39:06and Lingfield obviously play in that league as well.
39:09We've had Christo there on loan, our keeper, our young keeper,
39:14Sammy Sidewood is currently there on loan and finished the season.
39:17He's probably played over 20 senior men's football games at 18.
39:21I think he's just turned 18 as well.
39:23So I might be putting some years on him.
39:26We've kind of used that, those connections.
39:30Myself and Dan used to play for Lingfield as well many moons ago.
39:34So we've used some local connections around how we can support each other in that.
39:40And we were planning to continue that and grow that for the years to come
39:46because I think it's vital that we can continue to create that connection and support layer for both ways, right?
39:55It's not just for Lewis FC, but for the young individuals that live within the local area
40:00and for us using their development and trying to make Sussex football better.
40:07But for sure, for what we've seen, there's, I won't name too many names,
40:12but there are, there was one particularly young talent at, I think, Crawley,
40:17is it Crawley Downs and Gatwick?
40:18Is it?
40:19I don't want to know if I've got that wrong, but there's a, there's a young individual there,
40:23scored a lot of goals.
40:24So we weren't just looking at the level below per se.
40:29We were, we were looking at Sussex as a whole.
40:31And I felt we've got a really good feel of the local area.
40:36And it would have strengthened our pool within the area just by, by being visible.
40:43That was kind of the plan for this season.
40:46And we would have heavily, probably heavily recruited this year from,
40:49from the Sussex area, which is, I know, different to years previous,
40:54but we wanted to create that tie and that local tie back into, to Lewis.
41:00I know the club are looking at continuing that, but depends on who goes in,
41:05because the, the Croydon to London pool as well is, is something that isn't something
41:11we want to miss out on because there's a lot of talent within that local area.
41:15But it was making sure that we, we tried to get a stronger foothold within
41:18the county too.
41:20Absolutely.
41:21And everyone's going to be looking up to see who that Crawley Down Gatwick striker is
41:24now, Craig.
41:25It won't be too hard.
41:26It won't be too hard.
41:29Yeah.
41:30Really good young talent.
41:31And there's, there's other kids at other clubs that we can sit here and mention,
41:36but we have been trying to do our due diligence within the area for sure.
41:39Absolutely.
41:40The future is very bright in Sussex.
41:42And finally, as is tradition, we come to our games of the weekend.
41:45I must admit, Steve, it was a toss up between Horsham v Hashtag and Chichester City v Dover.
41:51So it'll be interesting to see what you've picked.
41:55I've got to go for Chichester Dover as, as the Chichester Observer sports editor.
42:02Spoke to Myles Rutherford yesterday and he just wants everybody who's remotely a Chichester
42:07City fan and anybody who's not a Chichester City fan to get into Oaklands Park and cheer
42:12them on, you know, basically anyone who's not doing anything else on Saturday, get to
42:16Oaklands Park, he says, cheer them on.
42:19But no, if you'd said at the start of the season that Chichester would need to win their
42:23last game, you would have assumed it would be to avoid relegation.
42:27And I think even some people at Chichester would have thought that themselves.
42:30So they've done so well to get this far.
42:33Should be a great game.
42:35Could be, could be a bit caging, could be a bit scrapping, you know, no team is going
42:39to want to sort of give anything away.
42:41So it could be, you know, it might be still nil-nil sort of going into the last 10 minutes.
42:45But, you know, it's going to be, it's going to be a great game, but, but one of many we
42:50all need to keep eyes on on Saturday.
42:52So it'll be a great day.
42:54Yeah, absolutely.
42:54And where, what, what's caught your eye this weekend?
42:56Where are you, where are you picking for your game of the weekend?
42:58Well, if it's not Pits' farewell party or Ringmer's potential title party, I think it's
43:09got to be Arundel versus Worthing United, as I mentioned earlier.
43:14Worthing United have to go there to win.
43:16Arundel would try to do everything to stop them.
43:18And it's at a beautiful ground with the backdrop of Arundel Castle as well.
43:21So what could you not like?
43:23Will's mentioned your farewell party there, Craig.
43:27Tell us about Lewis's last game and you've kind of already touched upon it, but it's
43:32sure it's going to be a very emotional day for you.
43:34Yeah, for sure.
43:35We've got Craig Wanderers, obviously at home.
43:39A lot of the players there I know through being from similar areas and stuff.
43:44So it'll be a very tough game.
43:45They've done really well since the change of manager, but I know the current one is no,
43:50he's not unbeknown to them.
43:54Obviously, he's been there for a long time as well.
43:56So they will be playing for him anyway.
44:00Really good side.
44:01They've gone on a great run.
44:02So it'll be a tough end fixture, but one that will relish because they try to play football.
44:07So we're back at the carpet at the dripping pan.
44:11So I look forward to that.
44:12And then obviously after saying farewell to the fans or not goodbye, but I'll see you soon
44:19because I definitely will be back in some capacity, even if it's just as a fan when I've
44:24got some downtime or watching the women's games or the youth team games and stuff.
44:28So I definitely won't stay a stranger.
44:30But I would have to go with Steve.
44:33I think Dover Chichester would be a good one because it's got so much riding on it.
44:40And obviously the top three clash of whoever can win the league as well with Horsham being
44:46involved in that.
44:47But I actually think different to Steve.
44:49I think that's going to be a Dover Chichester.
44:52There will be some goals in that.
44:53So contrasting styles, very similar to us against Dover, I think.
45:01And yeah, the front three at Dover have been really good all year.
45:06And Chichester do score well as well.
45:09So I think that it could open up as much as it could start cagey.
45:13I think it could be a free-for-all as well.
45:15So definitely one we'll be keeping an eye on.
45:18All right.
45:18Set up for a brilliant final day, isn't it?
45:20Well, that's all for this episode.
45:22Our thanks to Woo and Craig for joining us.
45:23And Craig, very best of luck for you at Tundra's Angels next season.
45:27And hope your final game for Lewis goes incredibly well.
45:31Don't forget to keep checking out sussexworld.co.uk forward slash sport for all the best coverage
45:35of local football plus your local Sussex Weekly Papers.
45:37Join us again soon for another look at all things non-league in Sussex.
45:40We will see you when we see you.
45:43Thanks, guys.