Just eight years ago, the team were playing regional football and after just 5 seasons in the Combination and top half finishes, decided to set about putting a plan in place to try and get promotion into the Women’s Premier League for the first time in their history.

What’s behind this remarkable success story? Without doubt Manager Jacquie Agnew is key but she is the first to assert that it is all down to team work. Back in May, Jacquie and Ladies Football Director Ron Moore put together a blueprint for the season ahead. Dave Cole came in as Head of Development to improve the team’s playing techniques and coaches Tom Fawdry and Tammy Waine began work on patterns of play. There’s even a goalkeeping coach – Tom Betts, a young man who has been picked to play for the England Youth side. Steve Cameron an ex Athlete took charge of the fitness and conditioning programme and has dished out some grueling sessions. Physio Marie Reynolds was instrumental at keeping the players fit while Brin Pollard remains at the heart of everything, having been involved with Agnew ever since the Ladies team was first formed at Lewes in 2002. This impressive supporting cast has certainly instilled a ‘winning’ mentality, confidence and a great belief in the Lewes players.

On July 8th 2010, Lewes Football Club moved from private to community ownership. The Ladies side all bought shares and are owners of Lewes CFC. Both Ron Moore Director of Ladies Football and Jacquie Agnew are founder share holders and also sit on the Executive Board and contribute to matters relating to the Club as a whole.

The Ladies are fully integrated into the Lewes CFC setup, enjoying one of the best pitches in any league at the Dripping Pan. The new Board have been fully behind the Ladies and are themselves highly credible people, Patrick Marber for instance a Director at Lewes CFC wrote the play and screen adaption of Closer, released in 2004, and starred Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen.

Since 2002 the Ladies side have won 5 trophies and bought much success to the Club as a whole and now have the league title to add to their collection although they are still involved in 2 Cup finals The Sussex Women’s Challenge Cup and the Ryman Cup so there maybe even more silver ware to come yet?

A successful team will always attract talented players. Lewes is no exception and the pedigree of the current 18-strong squad is impressive. There’s a mix of players who have been at the club long term and some new additions who have bought a bit more experience which includes 2 internationals. As with any club that wants to progress it’s important to mix experience with youth and having an environment that is right for players to want to perform well.

Agnew is a believer in great team chemistry and everyone pulling in the same direction. ‘Team spirit is the most important factor in football. Forget the tactical stuff or the individual brilliance; if you cannot be a team, a group all together fighting for a common goal, then you are lost.’ believes Agnew ‘ we have a Team of Players and Coaches who share some common values and our players are at the heart of everything we do’

For now though everyone at Lewes CFC will take some time to celebrate this wonderful achievement before the hard work begins and they start planning for the new season.

The Ladies are sponsored by;
CDL Logistics Gatwick

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With the substantial investment, and a timely move to a well sought location, it’s no surprise that iMS is receiving fantastic growth from international fulfilment customers. Managing Director Hitesh Patel sums it up. ‘The investment in iMS is an investment into, and for, our customers who will benefit from a more cost-effective and efficient fulfilment service.’

They have scored an incredible 117 goals and conceded only 11 and currently sit at the top of the South East Combination having won all 13 of their League matches.

They have made it through to the 2nd round of the Women’s FA Cup and will play Oxford United on the 8th January and if they win they hope to pull one of the big clubs out the draw.

Captain and CDL employee Kelly Newton commented ‘ we have played some brilliant football so far and the players have been really focused and performed in every game’ It would be a personal highlight for me as captain to be Champions come the end of the season’.

The Ladies have 7 league games and are in 2 semi finals as well as the FA Cup so fingers crossed they get to show off some silver ware come the end of the Season!

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