Having created a clever niche in football, Lewes FC continue to miss open goals.
Lewes Fc have made no bones about the fact that like many British ‘entertainers’ etc, that they want to break into America.
Lewes FC 2021/22 Strategy-
‘Establish a greater presence in the US which is more attune to discussions around soccer, equality and cultural impact and where we have existing very strong relationships and potential to collaborate and partner.’
We read from Eric from America on the website how amazing Lewes FC and our values are.
Of course, it is a preposterous notion thinking Lewes FC can crack America and it is synonymous with the small vocal and dominant political do-gooding bubble at the centre of the club who seemingly value anywhere except Lewes. A town that has always held very liberal values but is as disinterested in its local football club as the club is disinterested in the town. Read the 21/22 club strategy a large bulk of work and find me the bits about Lewes Community Football club working with the community other than the simple sporting tie-ups and food banks. Look at what other community football clubs do with their communities and it puts us to shame.
So, you will find in the strategy a strong commitment to grow the club through membership and the club make no apology in various literature in wishing to do this globally and especially America.
The upshot however is global interest in Lewes FC is not what the club hierarchy hoped it would be. Which of course anyone could of told them. Industrial self-regard does not necessarily convert into members.
The club achieved approximately 20% of the 3500 target in the strategy, Eric and Erica from America were not that interested it would seem. Heaven knows how much money was invested by the club in its growing army of backroom staff to obtain this paltry figure.
Maybe rather than court international publicity and member’s Lewes FC could do what thy said they would do and work and build up more interest and ties with the town of Lewes. I really hope one day they realise that bringing in a new member locally means 1 membership owner subscription PLUS attendance at matches, buying at the catering and merchandise stalls and bringing friends. Maybe volunteering too. A new international owner means 1 membership subscription and er….that’s it.
As ever, Lewes FC shuns the enormous financial pot of gold on its doorstep in exchange for publicity grabs and pats on the head for being the plucky club. Meanwhile we continue to trade in a perilous manner heavily bankrolled by individuals rather than the generous townsfolk of Lewes in a self-sustained manner. You know in the way they said they would run it when the community club was set up.
Will the fail of gaining international adoration and owners prompt a rethink of getting back to basics or will there be another ‘smart’ idea to waste lots of money trying to achieve? My bet is on the latter. Meanwhile the amazing position and potential the leadership of Lewes FC have carved for itself through Equality FC remains completely unfulfilled by the leadership of Lewes FC
The Rights of Fans. 