Viva Lewes Issue #145 October 2018

FOOTBALL
Ready for any challenge
Darren Freeman, Lewes FC men’s manager
Photo by James Boyes
As an opening gambit, in the bar after Lewes
(men’s) FC’s 8-1 FA Cup win over Moseley, I
wonder whether manager Darren Freeman is
more disappointed with the ‘1’, or delighted
with the ‘8’.
“I’m disappointed we let a goal in, to be
honest,” he says, though I can see, try as he
might, he can scarcely contain a broad smile of
satisfaction. “But I’m delighted with the way
the lads didn’t let them off the hook, and kept
on scoring”.
It’s a measure of the progress of his team that
they should so comprehensively thrash opponents
that were in the same league as them
last year, who came away from the Dripping
Pan with a 2-2 draw less than a year ago. Since
then, of course, Lewes have gained promotion
to the Bostik League Premier, and (as we go to
press at least) have started in impressive form,
looking more like promotion candidates than
relegation fodder.
Is it, I ask, a big step up into this league? And
how come we’ve started so strongly? “It’s a
huge step up,” he says. “At every level: the
teams are fitter, and faster, and more physical,
and more skillful. We’ve had some good new
signings, but it’s also about the learning curve
of our very young squad. The players have got
a lot of games in their legs now. They’re improving
all the time. They all know their roles
and their responsibilities, and they’re working
hard and getting rewards.”
“I’m a great believer in letting young players
have a go,” he continues. “And we’re always
looking to the Under 23s and the Under 18s
to see if there’s anyone who’s ready to train
with the first team, and, when they look good
enough, to get a game. Tonight, for example,
there were three youth players on the bench.”
It’s now four years since the 3G pitch was laid
down, and Freeman believes being able to
train on that surface has been a big factor in
his team’s success. “It’s massive,” he says. “The
facilities help to attract better players to the
club, and training on that [top-grade, artificial]
surface has really helped us to develop our
passing game.”
Lewes Women FC play at a higher level than
the men’s team – in the second tier, alongside
the likes of Manchester United and Spurs. Is
that an inspiration, I wonder, for the men?
“We want them to do well, just as I’m sure they
want us to do well. What’s good for the football
club, is good for us.”
Freeman needs to get home, but I manage to
fire one more question to him: does he think a
second promotion might be too far, too soon
for his young squad? “My first priority is getting
the 40 points we need to avoid relegation,”
he smiles. “After that… I mean, people have
babies without expecting to, don’t they? I’ll
make sure, and the club will make sure, that
we’re ready for any challenge that faces us.”
Alex Leith
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