Lewes FC: Women's team investment could ‘save the season’

Fan owners of Lewes voted 67.8% in favour of exploring an investment deal

A proposed investment deal in Lewes FC's women's team could help "save the season", according to one of the club's board directors.

Andy Gowland made the comments after owners of the club voted to explore a deal with investment group Mercury 13.

If it goes ahead, the women's team would be co-owned by the investment group, with the club's parent company remaining 100% fan-owned.

However, fan owner Miranda Kemp said the deal was "a short term fix".

Mercury 13 is a consortium which includes former professional female football players who have said they would invest $100m (£81.6m) in the acquisition of women's clubs in the next few years.

'Opportunity to play'

In late October, a vote was put to owners on whether to move conversations forward with Mercury 13 - 67.8% voted in favour.

Women's team captain Rhian Cleverly said: "We've got girls straight from a game on Sunday running straight to work at a pizza shop just under Lewes train station.

"It's hard and I think the investment will really allow us to give us the opportunity to play."

Mr Gowland said: "We know that now is a time to do it because we're at a point in the season where we can influence change but we really need to move quite quickly because we need to try to save the season."

Lewes are currently bottom of the Women's Championship table, the second-highest division in women's football in England, and could face relegation.

However, Ms Kemp criticised the deal and said it may not work out for the best.

She said: "If we need to remain where we are, or even get relegated, if that means a sustainable [fan-owned] future for the club in 10, 15, 20, 50 years then so be it."