Firsts Team

Rikki Banks

Brighton-born goalkeeper who began as an apprentice with Crystal Palace, enjoying work experience spells with both Crawley Town and Hendon. Spent two years at Worthing following his release in the summer of 2006 and helped them reach the Division One South play-offs last season. Joined Lewes last season and won the Manager’s Player of the Season award. Had a trial at Wycombe Wanderers in December 2009.

Chris Breach

Came through the ranks at Brighton, where he suffered a number of injury problems. Spent two years as a professional with the Seagulls without making a first team appearance before being released at the end of the 2006-07 season. Joined Bognor where he had previously been on loan and signed for Lewes in May 2008. A centre back who can also play in midfield, Breach’s game improved playing alongside Danny Cullip last season.

Anthony Barness

Started out at Charlton before joining Chelsea for £350,000 in September 1992. Made just 14 appearances for the Blues and had a loan spell at Southend before returning to Charlton in August 1996 for £165,000. After 97 appearances for the Addicks he joined Bolton on a free transfer in 2000 and played 84 times before switching to Plymouth in May 2005. Had a short spell at Grays Athletic before joining Lewes at the start of the BSS championship-winning season in 2007-08, where his dependable performances are always appreciated by Rooks supporters.

Joe Keehan

Broke into Crawley’s Conference side at the age of 17 after joining from Worthing. He moved to Eastbourne Borough in January 2006 after impressing on a month’s loan but rejoined Worthing in March 2007. Signed for Lewes in May 2008 when his father Kevin was appointed as manager. Despite a difficult season in the BS Premier, which saw his father resign in the spring, Keehan improved during the campaign, winning both the Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Season award.

Fred Foreman

Promising young forward who has impressed for the under-18 team during this season's FA Youth Cup run. Was with Brighton's School of Excellence. His grandfather, Denis Foreman, played more than 200 games for the Seagulls and his father Kevin was a midfielder for a number of Sussex non-league sides. Fred made his first team debut as a substitute in the Boxing Day derby at Eastbourne Borough.

Tim Rivers

Turned down a scholarship with Brighton & Hove Albion in order to concentrate on his A levels. A graduate of the Lewes youth system, the striker has progressed into the senior team this season and scored his first senior goal against Hampton & Richmond in November. Rivers has been selected as part of this season’s England Schools squad and is due to represent his country in a series of Home Internationals this spring.

David Wheeler

A product of Lewes’ successful youth system, Wheeler was a Schoolboy at Brighton. Currently studying for A Levels, the winger broke into the first team in October 2008, making his Blue Square Premier debut away at Torquay, and received the Man of the Match award for his performance against Grays in his home debut. Very popular with supporters, Wheeler is an exciting prospect who had trials with Southampton and Yeovil last season. A member of the 2009 England Schoolboys squad, with the highlight a Trophy match against a French representative side at Wembley.

Ross Sutton

A first-year scholar who can play anywhere. Sutton prefers left-back but can fill any role in defence as well as playing in midfield and has even played in goal for the reserves this season. Made his Lewes debut as a substitute at home to Kidderminster in March.
 

Grant Hall.

A first year professional at Brighton & Hove Albion, Hall is on a month’s loan from Withdean. The young defender re-joined the Albion from Lewes last autumn having originally been rejected as a 16 year old. Hall was a valuable member of the Lewes Under 18 side, and made his first team league debut against Mansfield Town in the Conference Premier in January 2009.

Williams Peauroux

Frenchman who began his career in England with Sussex County League side Three Bridges where he impressed a number of scouts.  Subsequently joined Ryman League Premier side Horsham where he was used both in midfield and at right-back. Joined Lewes in the summer of 2009.

Ryan Timms

Former captain of the Lewes U18 side who lifted last season's Sussex Youth Cup having beaten Eastbourne Borough in the final. Timms has made the step up to the first team this season and is highly regarded at the club.

JJ Banasco-Zaragoza

Louis Pople

Under 18 striker who has made the step up to the senior squad this season. Made his debut away to St Albans in August, and scored his first goal in the 1-1 draw at Bath City in September.

Dan Royce

Spent three seasons with Brighton, two as a trainee and one as a full-time professional, without making a first-team appearance. Hails from Bognor. The highlight of his time with the Albion was a good display away to Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup. Released in the summer of 2009 and joined Lewes.

Andy Pearson

Released by Brighton at the end of last season, Pearson was surplus to requirements under new manager Russell Slade and has returned to Lewes where he spent a month on loan in Jan 09, making his debut away to York City. Previously had loan spells with Worthing and Bognor.

Scott Chamberlain

Part of Brighton’s successful FA Youth Cup side in 2006 which was knocked out on penalties away to Newcastle in the quarter finals. Went on to make his first-team debut in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie away to Bristol City in 2007 but failed to make another appearance for the Seagulls before being released in January 2009. He finished last season at Bognor, where he had previously enjoyed a couple of loan spells.

Jack Walder

A tigerish midfielder who was a regular for Lewes at under-18 level before deciding to take a year out of football. Returned towards the end of the 2008-09 season to play a handful of reserve games in the Combination League before committing himself to a full-time return at the start of the 2009-10 campaign. Made his first-team debut away to Newport County in August and scored his first goal in November, the 94th minute equaliser in the FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying round tie at Eastleigh.

Kane Louis

Kane is the son of the late Tommy Louis, who was a well-respected player in Sussex football for a number of years. After completing his scholarship with Brighton and Hove Albion he was awarded a one-yearprofessional contract in the summer of 2008 but was released a year later without making a first-team appearance. Brighton-born Louis then joined Eastbourne Borough, playing for their reserves in the Football Combination, before switching to Lewes in October 2009. He made his full debut in the 1-0 win at home to Hampton and Richmond on November 7th.

Jean-Michel Sigere

Former France under-21 international joined Rushden and Diamonds from Bordeaux in 2000, helping them to win the Conference and then scoring the goal which gave them their first home win in the Football League. Subsequently joined Stevenage and had spells with Margate, Hornchurch, Heybridge Swifts and Gravesend before joining Lewes initially in 2005, scoring 28 goals in 51 appearances in his first season. Suffered with knee problems for the rest of his first spell with Lewes but still played a part as the Rooks won Blue Square South in 2008, scoring the goal which confirmed Lewes as champions. Left to join Eastbourne Borough and had spells with Farnborough and Tonbridge Angels before rejoining Lewes in December 2009.

Lewis Hamilton

Began his career as a youngster with Derby County and subsequently joined QPR, where he made one league appearance as a substitute against Burnley in 2005. Joined Aldershot following his release from Loftus Road and signed initially for Lewes in 2006, going on to be a member of their Blue Square South title-winning squad in 2008. Left the club that summer and joined Tonbridge Angels but returned to Lewes in February 2010.

James Fraser

Former England Schools under 18 player was released by Bristol Rovers last summer after two seasons. Spent time on loan at the Dripping Pan last season during the Rooks’ opening month in the Conference. Joined Eastbourne Borough from Rovers and also had spells on loan this campaign at County League sides Whitehawk and Eastbourne Town.