The growth and raised media profile of Lewes FC over the past seven years is undeniably tied to the groundbreaking Equality FC initiative. It is Equality FC that has positioned Lewes FC as a self-titled global trailblazer in football, with our commitment to equal playing budgets for men’s and women’s teams. Yet, curiously this pivotal part of the club’s identity has been almost entirely absent from the in extensive emails sent to members about the proposed governance shake-up. Equality FC is not mentioned once.
In nearly 5,000 words across four emails, the club presented its case for a new governance structure and investment strategy. However, Equality FC, a cornerstone of Lewes FC’s identity, is mentioned only once in passing: “Lewes FC is a pioneer in gender equality, being one of the first clubs to pay its female players the same as its male counterparts.”
This brief acknowledgment of past achievements offers no concrete reassurance that the principle of equal playing budgets will remain intact. What is the agenda? This omission suggests the club may be deferring firm commitments until the preferences of potential investors and the unelected ‘professionals’ on the new Lewes FC Holding Ltd board become clear, leaving the future direction of Equality FC uncertain. Either that or to not properly reference Equality FC in all of the emails we have received on the Lewes FC Holdings Ltd smacks of poor presentation, planning and incompetency.
The lack of safeguards for Equality FC introduces the possibility that future investors could influence the club’s priorities in ways that diverge from our progressive ethos, the defining core of what the club have established over the last seven years. While securing investment is critical for financial sustainability, will it come at the expense of the club’s values? The proposed holding company structure adds a layer of governance that could enable investor-driven priorities to overshadow community principles. The emails emphasize the flexibility of this model but fail to clarify how investors will be vetted or what protections will ensure alignment with the club’s commitment to equality. Without these assurances, the risk of mission drift is significant.
One of the most concerning aspects is the absence of transparency about decision making within the holding company. Key questions remain unanswered: Who will control budget allocation? Will Lewes Community Football Club’s majority ownership include the power to veto decisions that threaten Equality FC?
Equality FC and equal playing budgets are not optional initiatives; they are the defining values and branding that set Lewes FC apart. Failing to reaffirm these commitments risks signalling a shift in priorities and, leaving these principles vulnerable to being sidelined in favour of financial pragmatism and an erosion true fan ownership. The focus on growth and professional governance, while important, appears disconnected from the club’s ethos. Without explicit protections, the emphasis on revenue generation could undermine the principle of equal budgets.
Lewes FC must act decisively to address these concerns. The Board should publicly reaffirm its commitment to Equality FC and legally enshrine this principle within the governance documents of Lewes FC Holdings Ltd. Protections must ensure that equal budgets remain a non-negotiable cornerstone of the club’s identity, regardless of changes in governance or financial priorities. Furthermore, the club must commit to transparency about decision-making processes within the holding company and actively involve the community in shaping its future.
It is reasonable that Equality FC is always under review as it can maybe be seen to enhance or be of detrimental harm to potential sponsorship and the realistic financial health of the club. What is not reasonable it to embark on an overhaul of club governance without mentioning what has been clear club policy and pivotal to our branding.
The Rights of Fans. 