Ahead of Non-League Day, we remember when Solly March visited his old club to see how it has been supported by the PL

Saturday 26 March is Non-League Day, with fans encouraged to attend a non-league match in their area, and we are highlighting non-league clubs who have benefitted from the support of the Premier League.

Lewes FC

Solly March is one of many Premier League players who have worked their way to the top after starting their careers in non-league football. 

The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder was on the youth books at Lewes FC and, in 2018, he returned to his local club with former Brighton team-mate Glenn Murray, who started out in non-league with Barrow, to talk about his experiences.

“It gave me a good platform to start my career,” March said. “I guess it’s a different route to what a lot of people take.

“It makes you realise what you have in the Premier League and the luxuries you get with that. It makes you more humble.”

Lewes are currently in sixth place in the Isthmian League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the football pyramid, and over the years their Dripping Pan stadium has been rejuvenated with support from the Premier League.

A 3G pitch was installed in 2014 which provides Lewes’s junior teams with guaranteed matches whatever the weather, as well as hosting training sessions for the ladies’ team.

Two new stands have also been built, helping to make the Dripping Pan one of the most picturesque venues in the non-league game.

Premier League support also helped the club replace the failing central heating that provides players with hot showers and heats the club’s Rook Bar on winter nights.

All these improvements help to attract local people to the club to watch and to play, and for youngsters at Lewes, seeing the path that March took will give their hopes of the big time that extra boost.

How to support Non-League Day

You can show support for the hundreds of semi-professional and amateur clubs around England by going to a non-league match on the weekend of 26-27 March.

To find your nearest non-league match, visit nonleagueday.co.uk/map.