There have been a few criminal performances at the Dripping Pan down the years, but just after the First World War there was literally a criminal between the sticks for one memorable game.

The anecdote comes via a 1948 report in the Sussex Express, in which the newspaper interviewed Lewes supporter Mr W Banks, who had been a season ticket holder at the Rooks for 50 years.

Banks told the newspaper about a game between Lewes and the Royal Irish Rifles (later to become the Royal Ulster Rifles) that took place shortly after the war. (There are match reports of games between the two sides going back to the 19th century, but we’ll come to those in a future post).

Banks told the newspaper that the Rooks goalkeeper on the day (who isn’t named) was actually serving a stretch in Lewes prison, “but he was allowed out to play in the match under the watchful eyes of two escorts who stood on either side of the goal”.

In true Non-League spirit, the two guards even swapped ends midway through. “At half-time he was escorted to the other goal and returned to gaol after the match,” Banks told the newspaper. “It was one of the best matches I have ever seen played in the Dripping Pan.”

Sadly, we can’t find any reports of the game itself. But if you know anything more about the Rooks’ criminal keeper, please do get in touch.