Rooks 'lucky to break even' on Oxford tie

LEWES Football Club say they will do well to break even after staging the prestigious FA Trophy game against high-flying Oxford United at the Dripping Pan tomorrow week (December 16).

By The Newsroom

Published 7th Dec 2006, 11:52 BST

Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:50 BST

Commercial director Steve White said: 'We didn't make a lot of profit from the Darlington FA Cup game last month and this time we'll be lucky to break even.

'We need a full house to do that and having dropped the 20 charge for entry as fans were not happy with that our chances of doing so are even less. The bottom line is we need the game to be a sell-out.

'We realise that the situation is not ideal but the police are taking a completely different view on this match and we must heed their concerns.'

Oxford have a big away following of up to 1,400 and the police and local council are not taking any chances. It means the club must provide 45 stewards and proper segregation which has meant the Rooks having 1,000 tickets and Oxford 900.

The stewarding comes at a price, as does the provision of a 400-seater temporary stand next to the new stand and the match expenses.