Football clubs are wonderful things. They bring people together in ways no other entity can. They let you meet extraordinary people that you wouldn’t otherwise come across, merely because you’ve both turned up to watch a game.

Dave Evans did a lot more than turn up to watch a game every Saturday, of course. He was one of life’s doers, a born volunteer. Whether it was making teas in the boardroom (easy on the milk, Dave), sweeping out the dressing rooms, painting the fences, Dave rolled up his sleeves and got on with it. Not just here, by the way, but at Ringmer FC too.

It says absolutely everything about the sheer human quality of the man that he volunteered to take on the chair of the Supporters Club after his cancer diagnosis. When 99% of us would have understandably stepped back from taking on more responsibility, he stepped forward. And he did the job brilliantly, with passion and energy, until the point where he simply couldn’t do it anymore.

But that was Dave – treating a terminal illness like a bout of the flu. I’m sure there must have been dark times that only Mei and his family bore witness to, but he was unbelievably determined not to let that horrible disease get in his way. Just eight months ago, he ran the London marathon – for The Brain Tumour Charity, of course.

So, it felt like the least we could do yesterday was to try and put some more money in the charity’s coffers. We told you we were putting raffle and Golden Goal proceeds towards the charity and the response was predictably generous. Club staff, directors, former directors and supporters all dug deep and helped us raise £1,000.

And when I say supporters, I don’t just mean the Lewes supporters. A special mention here for the Dulwich fans who not only turned up in huge numbers, in fine voice, but who also donated generously to the cause, adding to a lovely message of support that we received from the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Trust earlier this week. This reporter took a little nibble at the Dulwich fans earlier this season – entirely in jest, despite what some might claim – but they showed their collective class yesterday and they have this Supporters Club’s respect and gratitude.

They also have the three points, after an undercooked performance from The Rooks. Tony compared his side to Dolly Parton in his progcast notes, scoring a nine one week and a five the next. Well, after last week’s shellacking at Concord, this one also felt closer to a five than a nine, I’m afraid.

Poor defending cost us the first goal after 15 minutes. Brad Pritchard’s been arguably the player of the season so far, but he tried to nick a ball by getting in front of Ryley Scott from a throw-in. Instead the ball went over him, allowing Scott to turn and get a clear shot on goal, which he poked past Nathan Harvey. Brad screaming at himself in frustration tells you all you need to know.

A response needed, then, but it never really came. The closest we came to an equaliser was midway through the first half when a decent cross from new left-back Sam Oguntayo found Whelpdale at the back stick, but his header looped on to the bar. We didn’t make their keeper make a save all afternoon.

They finished the job with four minutes of normal time remaining. Luke Wanadio got in behind an advancing Ayo Olukoga, ran about 30 yards untouched, and then planted a lovely low shot past Harvey to wrap it up.

Not a performance that will live long in the memory, then, unlike our selfless friend. Dave’s family were in the ground yesterday afternoon and I’m glad they were there to witness just how much he meant to so many people.

Seven new board members were appointed this week and they’ve got a tough job ahead. Their number one duty? To make sure this club – and its special community of fans – have somewhere to come for games every weekend. Nothing else really matters.

Lewes: Harvey, Olukoga, Elliott, Vint, Oguntayo, Penney, Pritchard, Whelpdale, Moore, Ogunwamide, Wood

Subs: Tamplin, Dreher, Murtagh, Lumbombo-Kalala, Salmon

Supporters Club man of the match: Everyone who contributed to the fund. Thank you.

Boyesy’s brilliant photos:

Video highlight from Your Instant Replay: