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