Chris Lewington

Christopher John Lewington (born 23 August 1988) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.

He is currently a free agent.

Lewington began his career with Charlton Athletic until the age of 13, where he took up Sunday league football until the age of 16, when he joined Erith & Belvedere.

Lewington joined Hamlet during 2006–07 pre-season, and following an injury to Carl Emberson, he made his debut in their friendly against Dorking in a 5–1 friendly victory in July 2006.

Lewington was dual registered with Kent League side Beckenham Town during his time with Hamlet, making his debut in August 2006 against Deal Town in a 2–1 victory.

Then in early September 2006, Lewington made his first-team debut for Hamlet in their 3–0 FA Cup preliminary round victory against Three Bridges, although he had little to do in a dominant display by Dulwich.

He featured once again for Beckenham in their 3–2 away defeat to Lordswood on 12 September and then returned to Dulwich for their 3–0 FA Cup first qualifying round reverse at Walton & Hersham on 16 September.

Games followed against Fleet Town - a 4–1 defeat on 30 September, Tooting & Mitcham United in the FA Trophy - a 2–2 draw on 7 October, as well as the replay held on 10 October which ended 7–6 to Tooting after extra time.

Further to that, Lewington featured in 3–2 victories against AFC Wimbledon in the London Senior Cup and Maidstone United in the league on 24 and 28 October respectively, a 1–0 win against Chatham Town on 31 October, a 4–3 London Senior Cup exit at home to Thamesmead Town on 14 November, a 3–0 win against Chatham on 21 November, a 4–2 reverse at Hastings United on 25 November, a 2–2 draw with Burgess Hill Town on 28 November a 5–3 extra time loss home loss to Woking in the Surrey Senior Cup on 5 December and in a 2–0 win against the Metropolitan Police on 9 December.

He made his final first-team appearance for Dulwich on 12 December when they tied 0–0 with Sittingbourne.

After one season, he joined Dulwich Hamlet, where he was dual-registered to Beckenham Town, before switching to Champion Hill cohabitants Fisher Athletic in 2007.

After a loan spell at Sittingbourne and one-and-a-half years with Fisher, Lewington joined Leatherhead, where his performances earned him a move to the Football League with Dagenham & Redbridge.

However, Lewington did feature for the reserve side as they came out on top against Staines Town Reserves with a 4–1 victory in the Capital League President's Cup final on 22 May 2007.

In June 2007, Lewington followed manager Wayne Burnett from Dulwich to Conference South side Fisher Athletic.

Then, in December 2007, he was sent out on loan to Isthmian League Division One South outfit Sittingbourne.

Lewington was in fine form as Sittingbourne went five games unbeaten, which saw them rise up the table.

He was sent off in a match against Metropolitan Police in February 2008 after bringing down Steve Sergeant in the penalty area in a 2–1 defeat for the Brickies.

Lewington then signed a loan extension with the club following his 21-day suspension for the incident against the Met Police.

Lewington was then recalled by Fisher in March 2008 following an injury to Simon Overland.

Lewington then graduated from the North West Kent College in Dartford, Kent, in 2008, where he studied in Gillingham's education and football programme.

In October 2008, Lewington joined Isthmian League Division One South side Leatherhead, turning down several other clubs in the process.

He competed for a first-team spot with Philippines international Neil Etheridge, who was on loan from Fulham at the time.

He made his first side for the club in their 2–0 away defeat to Godalming Town on 25 October.

Three days later, he experienced his first win for the Tanners on his home debut as they overcame Walton Casuals 2–1 on 28 October.

After a delay due to bad weather, his next appearance until 15 November in Leatherhead's 4–2 away win at Eastbourne Town.

He also played in wins against Corinthian-Casuals, Cobham in the cup, before a 2–0 defeat to Ashford Town in the Isthmian League Cup.

His side earned their first win since 22 November 2008 on 7 February 2009 when they cruised to a 4–0 victory against Crowborough Athletic.

He started in a 2–1 defeat to Cray Wanderers, a 2–0 win over Fleet Town, a 6–0 thrashing by Worthing, a 2–1 win on the road at Folkestone Invicta, a 2–0 win against Chipstead, a 1–0 loss at Walton Casuals, a 2–1 win at home to Merstham, a 1–0 defeat away to Corinthian-Casuals, a 2–2 tie with his previous club Sittingbourne, defeats at home to Croydon, away to Merstham and a home defeat at the hands of Eastbourne.

Consecutive defeats followed against Walton & Hersham, a 5–1 loss at Ashford, Croydon Athletic, his former club Dulwich, Kingstonian, and a Surrey Senior Cup reverse at Woking, before finally earning a point in a 3–3 draw with the Metropolitan Police on 24 January 2009.

In his early days with Dagenham, Lewington was primarily back-up to Daggers legend Tony Roberts until his retirement in 2011.

From 2011 to 2014, Lewington was first-choice goalkeeper at the club, where he racked up 143 appearances in all competitions.

With his contract expiring in the summer of 2014, he opted to leave in order to find a new challenge.

He then joined Colchester United to challenge Sam Walker for the number one jersey, but made just two appearances before being released one year later.

He joined Margate in December 2015.

Alongside his playing commitments, Lewington studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education and sport, and also has an FA coaching qualification.

He runs his own specialised goalkeeping coaching sessions, alongside working as a part-time lecturer at North West Kent College in Dartford as a goalkeeping coach and sports lecturer.

Lewington was winner of the 2022 parents race.

Born in Sidcup, London, Lewington spent three seasons with Charlton Athletic's youth system until the age of 13.

After his release by the Addicks, he continued to play Sunday league football until the age of 16, when he entered men's football, joining Erith & Belvedere in the Southern Counties East Football League.

He spent one season with the Deres, before joining Isthmian League Division One South side Dulwich Hamlet.