Singer Joan Armatrading sends '˜love and affection' to Lewes FC Women

The poster promoting the first match between the two sides

Armatrading, who hit the charts in 1976 with her song ‘Love and Affection’, sent the poster for this Sunday’s match against Aston Villa to more than 144,000 followers as she is featured on it.

The idea behind the posters, created by local artist Christ Arran, is that they depict an inspirational woman from the opposition team’s area and a top player from Lewes FC Women.

The latest poster features Armatrading, who grew up in the Birmingham area, and Lewes FC midfielder Sarah ‘Kempo’ Kempson.

The three times Grammy nominated British singer-songwriter’s team wrote: “It is very important to get the general public to understand how vital it is to embrace equality and with people like you, and the team, setting an example it will eventually filter through. Keep up the excellent work!”

Lewes FC Women have never played Aston Villa before so this is a first for the club. Sunday’s match kicks-off at 2pm.

The Villans match has come about as a result of the team’s promotion to the Women’s Championship League – the second highest tier of women’s football. Following the launch of Equality FC in 2017, an initiative which offered equal pay to male and female players, the women’s and men’s first teams both went up a league.

Lewes FC Director Charlie Dobres said: “We are delighted that Joan Armatrading has been tweeting our posters to her followers and hope some of them, if not Joan herself, will turn up on Sunday. It is so exciting that Lewes FC Women are playing Aston Villa for the first time ever, so we really hope that local people will come out in their droves to support the women’s team in what will be a very competitive match.”

To add to the sense of occasion Pentacle Drummers will entertain the crowd and drum the players onto the pitch.

Tickets to women’s matches can be purchased on the gate and cost £8 but they can be bought in advance online for only £7. Concessions are £4 (or £3.50 online) and children under 16 go free. Tickets can be bought in advance at LewesFCWomen.com