I mentioned in a previous blog that the Lewes FC Women may leave the Pan. However, now more facts have been released, I would bet on it.
On Friday, the board released the long-awaited Q&A document with a little more detail on the Mercury 13 proposal of the investment group to take over 51% of the Lewes FC. In at least two questions the board are asked about the licence arrangements and the criteria to compete at the Dripping Pan. The answers (and questions are below) were an unequivocal non-commitment to the Lewes FC Women remaining at the Pan indefinitely. They do not say in any of the answers to the questions, or subsequent questions from me, that no way will that happen.
It has always been my thoughts that when Mercury 13 came in with their ambition and claims that women’s football will be a billion pound industry, it simply did not stack up with that being conducive to staying at the Dripping Pan. Glitz, glamour, money and the Dripping Pan are simply not commensurate bedfellows.
The FA have form for allowing relocation and let us face it, this is a real probable outcome if the aspiration of WSL is the reason why Mercury 13 want in with Lewes, and why the Board are keen to succumb.
Absolutely nobody in women’s football know how moving forward and progress will be reflected in the Women’s Premiership/Super League licence arrangements; not just with relation to minimum capacities allowed but they may also dictate that all stadiums must be all seater.
I am not suggesting this very likely relocation outcome is on the agenda or been discussed by either party, but it does seem an inevitability to me if Lewes Women’s compete at a higher level.
There are other possible reasons why any Lewes FC team may have to leave the Dripping Pan e.g. the Council doesn’t renew a lease, but these are very unlikely and definitely not an inevitability! The rise of Women’s football and our women’s team leaving The Pan is a red line the board have said they are prepared to cross.
Is now the time to ask the board to ensure a legal commitment by Mercury 13 to never move one of our teams from our ground? As contractual terms are under discussion, this red line should be in CAPS, in bold and underlined.
I am not suggesting in any way there is an agenda from any party to leave the Dripping Pan. I am saying it may well be the denouement of the deal unless proper checks are placed in the agreement.
Board responses to Q&A.
Please confirm both men’s and women’s teams will continue to play at The Pan.
Both sides will continue to call the Dripping Pan home, although some redevelopment work will be required to comply with the ground grading conditions for higher leagues. It should be noted though that the club has no control over conditions placed on being members of certain leagues in the future – whilst today the ground would be able and allowed to host games at a higher level, there could be changes to the ground grading and requirements in the future.
What happens if new licences demand a ground capacity, suppose 10,000 for the top two flights or leagues commensurate with the existing Premiership and Championship?
We can only address the known requirements at the present time, which would not prove a major issue for the club. In any future scenario where significant changes or criteria would need to be met, there will be a joint responsibility for the investing partners and Lewes FC to approach the best way to fulfil any new license requirements set by the FA together, including but not limited to minimum stadium capacity and infrastructure requirements.
The Rights of Fans. 