Lewes FC Win Award At Football Business Awards 2023

Lewes FC have won the ‘Best Fan-Engagement by a Club’ at the Football Business Awards 2023, held at The Brewery, London, and judged by Vivienne Aiyela, Director/Advisor to the Board of Futsallers Foundation; Phil Alexander, CEO, Bristol City FC; Paul Barber, Chief Executive & Deputy Chairman, Brighton & Hove Albion FC; Richard Bevan OBE, Chief Executive, League Managers Association; and Sanjay Bhandari, Chair, Kick It Out.

The other clubs in competition were: Aston Villa FC / Crest Consultation, Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Everton FC, Pafos FC, Plymouth Argyle FC / Stadimax, and Southampton FC.

Speaking about the club’s nomination, The Football Business Awards said: “Lewes FC is the first football club in the world to split its resources equally between male and female teams. Doing football differently and committing to gender equality has attracted engaged and supportive fans locally and worldwide. Lewes Women is one of top attended women’s clubs nationwide and Lewes Men is one of the top 10 most attended men’s team at that level nationally. The innovative and quirky match day experience has contributed to The Dripping Pan being voted Britain’s best football ground and have led to increasingly higher attendances (up 367% for Lewes Women 82% for Lewes Men over the past 5 years).

“Not only does Lewes FC offer a creative and exciting match day experience, but it also enables fans to become owners of the club. Lewes FC is 100% fan-owned, with 2400+ owners in 40 countries, each of whom own a single share. There has been a doubling of owners since 2017, trebling of ownership revenue and 97% retention rate. Fan owners enjoy an array of exclusive perks, such as the Lewes FC Owners App where games are live streamed; games have been watched in up to 27 countries at any one time.”

Lewes FC’s Fan & Engagement Officer, Shrey Nilvarna, gave thanks following the award: “The award personally means a lot to me. This is the culmination of countless hours of effort put in by the volunteers, the staff and the management.

“This club and this town is really close to my heart. We got this award by beating some big names which makes it sweeter. Personally, to come to the country, find my place in Lewes and to be able to achieve this means a lot.

“It hasn’t been the easiest of journeys but the love and support this town has shown is incredible. This one is for all the owners and fans. You are the best!”