Lewes FC
The last issue of Re:
saw news of the
appointment of
former Brighton and
Fulham player, Darren
Freeman, as the new
first team manager at The
Dripping Pan. The former Whitehawk boss
has certainly discovered how difficult
life is at Lewes, because at the time of
writing, The Rooks were propping up the
Ryman Premier League, having lost 12
out of his 20 games in charge. However 3
wins out of the last 4 at home including a
3-1 victory over mid table Canvey Island
and a creditable draw with 8th placed
Leiston has given real cause for optimism
for the future.
Sussex Cricket Club
The 2016/7 cricket
season gets underway
with a friendly against
Surrey at Hove at the
end of March. The first
County Championship
game is on the 10th
April v Northamptonshire with the first
match at Hove 7 days later against Essex.
But I think it’s only right and proper that
this part of Sussex Sport is dedicated
largely to the memory of Matthew
Hobden.
Described as one of England’s brightest
prospects, the sudden and tragic death of
the Sussex cricketer at just 22,came as a
huge shock to anyone involved in cricket.
Described as a “gentle giant” Hobden
was seen as a promising cricketer and
was one of six fast bowlers chosen
to take part in the Potential England
Performance Programme this winter.
As far as the Cup goes, last season you
may remember that Lewes reached
the Sussex Senior Cup, before losing
to Whitehawk at the Amex Stadium.
There won’t be a repeat this season
unfortunately as Freeman’s men were
knocked out 3-0 at Littlehampton.
Off the field, Lewes FC and Brighton &
Hove’s Newman College (the Sixth Form
of
Cardinal Newman Catholic School), have
announced the launch of a
Girls’ Football Academy Programme
which will begin in September 2016.
The partnership will offer girls between
16 and 19, a two year programme of fulltime education, as well as academy-style
coaching on Lewes Football Club’s new
£1million 3G FIFA approved pitch.
The purpose of the Academy is to
Australian fast bowler, Mitchell Johnson
pounding the pitch at the WACCA for
the last time before retirement, I also
took time to visit the Cricket Museum
there. Amongst the iconic images and
memorabilia of past Aussie greats such as
the last ball ever bowled at the WACCA
by Dennis Lillee, a collection of bats used
by the legendary Sir Don Bradman and a
signed shirt by Adam Gilchrist, there lays
a moving memorial tribute of cricket bats,
caps and shirts in honour of Phil Hughes.
You may remember that Hughes tragically
died in 2014 as a result of being struck on
the neck while batting in Sydney. He never
regained consciousness and passed
away, aged only 25.
Hobden may not have been a household
name, but the common consensus was
that he was destined for greater things.
Hats off then to Sussex CCC for the
identify and recruit young footballers of
outstanding ability and to coach and
educate them to reach their maximum
potential, thereby giving them the very
best chance of a career in football.
What may have also passed you by away
from the action, unless of course you are
a regular a t ‘The Pan’, is that their shirts
are now sponsored by Squeeze!? How
cool is that? The iconic band that first
came to prominence in the late 70’s, with
such hits you may remember as, Up the
Junction, Slap & Tickle and Another Nail
in My Heart and who could forget, Cool
for Cats? Well, Cool for Rooks anyway!
Apparently singer and guitarist, Chris
Difford lives in the area “Lewes is now
my local football club….. this really is a
people’s club and we couldn’t be happier
with the fit.”
display in the Club shop that was set up,
containing a shirt and cap worn by Matt,
together with a book of condolence. I
believe this was handed to Matt’s family
after the funeral in February.
The Club confirmed that his shirt number
(19) will be retired out of respect and that
a tree will be planted in the north east
corner as a permanent memorial. The
thoughts of everyone at Re: Magazine are
with Matt and his family.
In other news, Mark Davis took over
as Head Coach and replaced Mark
Robinson, who was appointed Head
Coach of the England Women’s team.
Michael Yardy, who you will remember
retired at the end of last season, has been
appointed Under 17 Head Coach for the
2016 season. Good luck to all of them for
the coming season.
Hobden made his first-class debut in
2012 for Cardiff MCCU and his first-team
debut for Sussex in a one-day match
against Nottinghamshire in 2013.
His first-class Sussex debut came
in 2014 and in 2015 he played in 10
Championship matches. He was known
as a bowler and overall he claimed 48
first-class wickets.
Anyone who came into contact with
Matthew will have fond memories of him,
no doubt. I wasn’t fortunate enough to
meet him myself, but I know a few people
who were and they had nothing but praise
for the young man. The question then, is
how best to remember him? Well I was
lucky enough to visit Perth in Australia
at the end of last year for a bit of Winter
sun and whilst being fortunate to witness
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