English Football Clubs run by their supporters operate under a constitution — a brilliant framework that, if followed, can lead to real success. The problem is, there’s no statutory body to enforce it. And that’s where things can get messy. Very messy. This is the story of how complacency, detachment, and poor oversight allowed a … Continue reading Fan Ownership at Lewes. Fanzine Article in ‘Where’s The Bar’ Magazine. How and Why it Failed but is There a Happy Ending?
Not Woke and Not Broke But a Golden Opportunity. The Right Wing Press Attack on Lewes FC
For many outside Lewes FC and who don’t read right wing papers, you are probably unaware an article in the Telegraph, explaining the financial difficulties of Lewes FC’s pioneering Equality FC, is currently being weaponised by the usaul supects Mailonline and GBNews to form a misleading anti-woke narrative. With Lewes FC, for non league football, … Continue reading Not Woke and Not Broke But a Golden Opportunity. The Right Wing Press Attack on Lewes FC
Is There Finally a Fan Owned Pulse at Lewes FC? But Please Cut the Crap
Chris Harrs 28/5 25 As someone who regularly writes about Lewes FC, I’ve made it something of a personal mission to keep an eye on how other Sussex clubs are doing, and how other fan-owned clubs are run too. Last year, I shared a blog post in the FC United of Manchester Facebook group. It … Continue reading Is There Finally a Fan Owned Pulse at Lewes FC? But Please Cut the Crap
Career Opportunities. The Board Told Us Of a Forthcoming Swathe of Volunteers and Sub Committees. Where Are They?
I seldom find much reassurance in statements of intent from Lewes FC. However, four months ago, our COO, Kelly, recognized the urgent need to bring in co-opted board members to bolster a struggling board left to deal with the chaos and mismanagement of the previous leadership. She confidently assured us that a wave of eager … Continue reading Career Opportunities. The Board Told Us Of a Forthcoming Swathe of Volunteers and Sub Committees. Where Are They?
A Critical Look at the Latest Lewes FC Holding Ltd Proposal. Desperate Stuff.
Some thoughts on the latest resurrection of the Lewes FC Holdings Ltd proposal as set out in the club email 18/3/25. We will update this with, in keeping, the subsequent ‘making it up as they go along’ email 19/3 and the forthcoming Chairman’s thoughts. The latest club email certainly puts a brave face on what … Continue reading A Critical Look at the Latest Lewes FC Holding Ltd Proposal. Desperate Stuff.
‘It’s All Gone Quiet Over There’ – Is the new Lewes FC Business Plan Turning to Farce, as the FCA and FSA Step In?
Ah, another day, another half-baked scheme at Lewes FC. The problem with ‘brainwaves’ and that classic word for fail at Lewes FC, ‘smart ideas,’ is that they tend to explode in your face. At first glance, Lewes FC Holdings Ltd sounded promising—more democracy, volunteer subcommittees, and a system that actually listens to fans. Lovely. Exactly … Continue reading ‘It’s All Gone Quiet Over There’ – Is the new Lewes FC Business Plan Turning to Farce, as the FCA and FSA Step In?
Lewes FC: A Comedy of Errors. Fund the Team not the Bureaucracy or We’ll Go Down. Guest blog by themountfieldtoad
A round of applause for our new guest blogger themountfieldtoad! Welcome to the tragicomic opera that is Lewes FC, a club that has somehow become the footballing embodiment of a Shakespearean tragedy. Except, in this case, it’s less “Romeo and Juliet” and more “The Comedy of Errors,” with fewer laughs and a lot more bureaucratic … Continue reading Lewes FC: A Comedy of Errors. Fund the Team not the Bureaucracy or We’ll Go Down. Guest blog by themountfieldtoad
From Guns to Umbrellas: The Curious Journey of a Victorian Gun Cupboard
Picture this: it’s the late 19th century, and a fearsome farmer, bristling with indignation and armed with a trusty shotgun, chases down a group of poachers across his sprawling estate. The scene is pure drama, filled with muddy boots, barking dogs, and the distant caw of startled crows. When the chase is done, the farmer … Continue reading From Guns to Umbrellas: The Curious Journey of a Victorian Gun Cupboard
1970s Globe Chairs: The Retro Seating That’s Out of This World
If you’re looking for a piece of furniture that screams, “I’m stylish, I’m retro, and I might just double as a spaceship,” look no further than the iconic 1970s globe chair. This spherical wonder is more than just a seat—it’s a statement. It’s the kind of chair that looks like it could have been plucked … Continue reading 1970s Globe Chairs: The Retro Seating That’s Out of This World
Lewes FC Where Hardcore Fans Don’t Count and People Who Do Not Know Where Sussex Is Do
The board’s refusal to include non-card carrying, loyal, match-going fans in the decision-making process over Lewes FC Holdings Ltd is not only insulting—it’s actively undermining the club’s future. It’s almost chilling to see how Lewes Football Club has been treating a significant section of its loyal, paying fans. Over the past few years, it’s become … Continue reading Lewes FC Where Hardcore Fans Don’t Count and People Who Do Not Know Where Sussex Is Do
Making It Up as They Go Along: The Dismantling of Fan Ownership at Lewes FC.
Making It Up as They Go Along: The Dismantling of Fan Ownership at Lewes FC. By Chris Harris 15/1 Stop Press! At tonight's 'consultation meeting where, other than club officials, 8 members attended 0.3% of our membership, it was revealed that the share issue has increased from £1 million to £1.5 million, and the £250,000 … Continue reading Making It Up as They Go Along: The Dismantling of Fan Ownership at Lewes FC.
Open Letter to Lewes FC. Seeking Assurances on Governance and Role of Lewes FC Holdings Ltd.
There is a further new guest blog link to the bottom of the article by Eloise. Dear Members of the LCFC Board, I am writing on behalf of The Rights of Fans WhatsApp group to address the proposal to establish Lewes FC Holdings Ltd. While we recognize the financial challenges facing the club and the … Continue reading Open Letter to Lewes FC. Seeking Assurances on Governance and Role of Lewes FC Holdings Ltd.
Can We Please Ban The Evangelism and Buzzwords Lewes FC?
The increasingly desperate and borderline evangelical tone of the emails from Lewes FC is becoming less "football club for the people" and more "multi-level marketing for spiritual enlightenment." Signed off by "Kelly," the emails paint a picture of someone who appears to have swapped non-league football for a corporate leadership seminar, with a side order … Continue reading Can We Please Ban The Evangelism and Buzzwords Lewes FC?
That Stinging Neil Young Criticism. Glastonbury : From Muddy Fields to Corporate Overkill Spectacle
Glastonbury has gone from being a scrappy, patchouli-scented music festival in the 1970s to a full-blown, well-oiled corporate event. What started as a countercultural gathering where £1 got you entry and free milk has become a global phenomenon that feels more like a Netflix production than a muddy utopia of music lovers. And the BBC? … Continue reading That Stinging Neil Young Criticism. Glastonbury : From Muddy Fields to Corporate Overkill Spectacle
The ‘Here’s Why’ in Guardian Titles is so Annoying. Here’s Why!
The great Jimmy Carter died today, and over on The Guardian’s website, another incredible politician, Gordon Brown, penned a heartfelt tribute. I have a lot of love for Gordon Brown, so I sincerely hope he didn’t have a hand in writing the title of the piece: “My friend Jimmy Carter will be remembered long after … Continue reading The ‘Here’s Why’ in Guardian Titles is so Annoying. Here’s Why!
The Lewes FC Orwellian Dystopia? ‘Investment Good. Donations Bad.’ Part 2
https://july66.blog/2024/12/13/the-lewes-fc-orwellian-dystopia-all-fans-are-equal-but-some-fans-are-more-equal-than-others-part-1/ https://bsky.app/profile/therightsoffans.bsky.social For over a decade, Lewes FC has thrived on the generosity of its supporters. Donations have not only sustained the club financially but also elevated its profile as a beacon of community-led football. Yet, in a baffling pivot, the club’s leadership is now dismissing this model as inadequate, framing donations as outdated and … Continue reading The Lewes FC Orwellian Dystopia? ‘Investment Good. Donations Bad.’ Part 2
The Lewes FC Orwellian Dystopia? ‘All fans are equal, but some fans are more equal than others.’ Part 1
The Board’s plans, as outlined, appear to be a gamble on external investors whose involvement could dilute the club’s ethos.
The Lewes FC vs. Lewes FC Fanzine Dispute: Part 1 The Hate Assault On My Wife.
https://bsky.app/profile/therightsoffans.bsky.social I published this blog earlier in the week. Today, 12/12 we have heard Lewes FC are being referred to the FA Integrity Team by the FA/Kick It Out over the assault on my wife and the degrading club handling she was subjected to. When faced with injustice—choose your metaphor, whether "shat on" or "shafted"—you … Continue reading The Lewes FC vs. Lewes FC Fanzine Dispute: Part 1 The Hate Assault On My Wife.
Read the Lewes FC Fanzine. The Rights of Fans. Issue 20 Spring 2024. Another Fine Mess. PDF.· Post
We sold out of this issue outside the ground so this is for those who missed out For newbies whose thoughts of Lewes FC are a vibrant, trendy, cosy fan owned community club with great ideas and financially sound, oh how wrong could you be. The truth behind the spin is here, a club that … Continue reading Read the Lewes FC Fanzine. The Rights of Fans. Issue 20 Spring 2024. Another Fine Mess. PDF.· Post
Why No Women are on the Board at Lewes ‘Equality’ FC, 100% Run By Men.
The Equality Conundrum at Lewes FC Lewes FC, proudly nicknamed "Equality FC," is the loudest voice in English football when it comes to gender equality. The club is celebrated as the first in the UK to provide equal budgets for its men’s and women’s teams. This commitment to fairness is a source of pride for … Continue reading Why No Women are on the Board at Lewes ‘Equality’ FC, 100% Run By Men.
Read the Lewes FC Fanzine. The Rights of Fans. Issue 20 Spring 2024. Another Fine Mess. PDF.
We sold out of this issue outside the ground so this is for those who missed out For newbies whose thoughts of Lewes FC are a vibrant, trendy, cosy fan owned community club with great ideas and financially sound, oh how wrong could you be. The truth behind the spin is here, a club that … Continue reading Read the Lewes FC Fanzine. The Rights of Fans. Issue 20 Spring 2024. Another Fine Mess. PDF.
Can Crystal Palace Fans Dust Down Our Passports for 2025/6?
14/4/2024 could well have been a defining moment for Crystal Palace FC. Under the steady if unflattering stewardship of Steve Parish Crystal Place are now an established Premiership club. I believe only the usual top 6 and Everton have berthed in the top flight longer. It may go down as over a decade of bodged … Continue reading Can Crystal Palace Fans Dust Down Our Passports for 2025/6?
Lewes FC, Poirot and the Murder of the Mercury 13 Investment Deal. A Mystery Spoof.
The diminutive Miss Lemon was daydreaming in the stuffy office of the great detective, Hercule Poirot, the windows were all closed in case germs enter the room. The fastidious Poirot always maintained they played havoc with his poor digestion. Miss Lemon knew the real problem laid in his awful diet, but you never questioned the … Continue reading Lewes FC, Poirot and the Murder of the Mercury 13 Investment Deal. A Mystery Spoof.
Lewes FC Women. Is It Worth It? Can It Continue? Blog 6 of 12 Blogs at Christmas 25/12/22
We have gone from having one of the best women’s teams in the UK costing us about £100,000 p/a due to the excellent Equality FC initiative, to having one of the best women’s teams in the UK costing and estimated £750,000-£1m.
How The Crouch Fan Led Review Does Not Go Far Enough To Help Develop Women’s Football. Issue 5 of 12 Blogs at Christmas 24/.12/22
Please read our previous 4 blogs and future 7 blogs here for Issue 20 of the Lewes FC Fanzine The Lewes FC Fanzine 12 Blogs at Christmas. - Lewes FC Fanzine Blog (wpcomstaging.com) Durham v Liverpool The Crouch Fan Led Review, I am glad to say recognises a number of the shortcomings in the women’s … Continue reading How The Crouch Fan Led Review Does Not Go Far Enough To Help Develop Women’s Football. Issue 5 of 12 Blogs at Christmas 24/.12/22
Lewes FC Recycling Inertia. Sort It Now
Why are the self-proclaimed disruptors and high-minded liberal leadership at Lewes FC still allowing the backward practice of willy nilly divvying out environmental harm?
Lewes FC Recycling Inertia. Sort It Now.
Why are the self-proclaimed disruptors and high-minded liberal leadership at Lewes FC still allowing the backward practice of willy nilly divvying out environmental harm?
Collection: The Death of Fan Ownership at Lewes FC. The Story. Parts 1-5
by Chris Harris Below is a 10,000 word thesis, broken up into 5 manageable sections on how a thing that should have been amazing for the town of Lewes was strangled and used as a branding mechanism instead and ultimately ruined. https://july66.blog/2026/01/02/the-death-of-fan-ownership-at-lewes-fc-the-story-part-1-pre-fan-ownership/ https://july66.blog/2026/01/02/the-death-of-fan-ownership-at-lewes-fc-the-story-part-2-2010-17/ https://july66.blog/2026/01/02/the-death-of-fan-ownership-at-lewes-fc-the-story-part-3-2017-2023/ https://july66.blog/2026/01/02/the-death-of-fan-ownership-at-lewes-fc-the-story-part-4-mercury-13-and-the-stale-whiff-of-decline/ https://july66.blog/2026/01/02/the-death-of-fan-ownership-at-lewes-fc-the-story-part-5-the-denouement/ #Lewes #Lewes FC #Lewes FC Women #Non League #Football
The Death of Fan Ownership at Lewes FC. The Story. Part 5 — The Denouement.
This is part 5 of my blogs on the ‘How Lewes FC Strangled the Life Out of Fan Ownership.’ The links to the four others are below. by Chris Harris A conclusion and then we ask the question, can it ever work? Out of a club drifting in the fog of decline, something unexpected briefly … Continue reading The Death of Fan Ownership at Lewes FC. The Story. Part 5 — The Denouement.
The Death of Fan Ownership at Lewes FC. The Story. Part 4, Mercury 13 and the Stale Whiff of Decline.
by Chris Harris This is part 4 of my blogs on the ‘How Lewes FC Strangled the Life Out of Fan Ownership.’ The links to the four others are below. The Death of Fan Ownership at Lewes FC. The Story. Part 4, Mercury 13 and the Stale Whiff of Decline After 12 years on the … Continue reading The Death of Fan Ownership at Lewes FC. The Story. Part 4, Mercury 13 and the Stale Whiff of Decline.
The Rights of Fans. 