The club joined the Sussex County League in 1983 as a founding member of the new Division Three. Following two successive promotions in 1986–87 and 1987–88 under their then manager, Pete Cherry, they played in Division One until the end of the 20th century. The club then experienced a rise through the divisions under Garry Wilson, gaining promotion to the Conference Premier in 2007–08.
They were formed in 1964 as Langney F.C., naming themselves after the Langney district of Eastbourne in which the club continues to play its home games. It all started when a group of friends had played for the Langney and Friday Street youth team were too old to carry on playing and decided to form their own team so they could continue to play football.[3]
On forming in 1964, Langney FC entered the Eastbourne & District Football League, competing in Division 2. Despite forming in 1964, Langney only affiliated with the Sussex FA in the Summer 1965, which marks its first official season.[4] Prior to the 1968/69 season there was a change of name to Langney Sports F.C. when the club affiliated to the Langney Community Association.[2] At this time the club was playing on local recreation grounds before moving to Princes Park near the seafront, next door to Eastbourne United's ground at The Oval. At the end of the season 1973/74, the club won promotion to the Premier Division of the Eastbourne & Hastings League.[2]
Sussex County League years: 1983–1999
In 1983 the club was elected as a founding member of Division 3 of the Sussex County League, minutely overshadowed by FA officials stating that the club was a "parks team" and not taking the club seriously.[2][5] They relocated from the playing fields at Princes Park to their current home ground at The SO Legal Stadium at Priory Lane, in the heart of the residential area of Langney.
In 1986/87 Langney Sports achieved a treble by claiming the Third Division title, the Division 3 League Cup and the Eastbourne Challenge Cup.[2] The Sports followed this with a second successive promotion the next season to Division 1. In 1992, Langney reached the final of the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup, losing 0–1 to the reserve team of Sussex's only professional club, Brighton & Hove Albion.[6] Langney regularly finished in the top four in Division One; the manager, Pete Cherry, left the club on mutual grounds having brought Langney Sports up from the Eastbourne and Hastings league into the county league; for two years Steve Richardson took the reins followed by Garry Wilson in 1999. In his first full season in 2000 they finished the season as Sussex County League Champions, and were promoted to the Eastern Division of the Southern League.[2][7]
Climb to the Conference under Garry Wilson: 1999–2012
After their first season in the Southern Football League Eastern Division, in which they finished 9th in the table, the club chairman, Len Smith, announced on 26 May 2001 that the club was to be renamed Eastbourne Borough to reflect the town the team played in.[8] In their second season they finished seventh and secured their first Sussex Senior Cup title in front of a record crowd, beating Lewes after extra-time in the final.[9] The following season resulted in promotion to the Premier Division with Borough finishing second, losing out on the title on goal difference to Dorchester Town.[10] At the end of the season they staged a defence of their Sussex Senior Cup title against Crawley Town in the final of the competition, losing 6–5 on penalties.[11] Though they only finished 11th in their first season in the Premier Division, as the league system was changed the club were qualified to be one of the founders of the newly formed Conference South for the start of the 2004–05 season.[12] A further promotion was almost earned immediately as the club finished fifth, and won the Conference South play-offs, beating Cambridge City 3–0.[2][13]
However, they were beaten 2–1 by Altrincham (who had won the Conference North play-offs) in the play-off final at Stoke City'sBritannia Stadium, and remained in the Conference South.[14]
The next season they finished in the bottom half of the table in 17th place and in the 2006–07 season they just missed out in the play-offs finishing in 7th place.[15] The 2007–08 season was one of Eastbourne Borough's most memorable. From the start of the season until 1 January 2008 they were unbeaten at the top of the league, until losing to local rivals Lewes in front of 3,027 fans at Priory Lane.[16] At the end of the season Eastbourne finished 2nd with 80 points while Lewes won with 89 points.
Eastbourne Borough away to Woking on 27 January 2009
At the start of their 2008–09 campaign in the Conference they were struggling outside the relegation zone, however after a few loan players were brought in, including Dan Smith and Ashley Barnes from Plymouth Argyle,[19] and the signing of Dan Brown from Cambridge United,[20] Eastbourne managed to stay in the top half of the table after some surprising wins over full-time clubs such as Torquay United and York City,[21][22] until the last day of the season, losing 0–2 to Barrow.[23] They finished their first season in a comfortable 13th place with 60 points and a goal difference of −12. The season saw Eastbourne play 'live' for the first time at Priory Lane in front of national TV cameras, which broadcast their match against Stevenage Borough, a match they won 2–1.[2][24]
Eastbourne also completed the 2008–09 season by winning the Sussex Senior Cup beating Brighton & Hove Albion Reserves 1–0.[25]
Garry Wilson
The 2009–10 season saw Eastbourne struggle from 'second season syndrome'. After a bright start, beating A.F.C. Wimbledon and eventual FA Trophy winners Barrow at Priory Lane,[26][27] Eastbourne experienced a slump in form and found themselves in a relegation battle. However a strong run of form towards the tail of the season saw them stay up in dramatic fashion beating eventual Play-Off winners Oxford United 1–0 on the final day of the season, with a late penalty scored by Simon Weatherstone in the 84th minute.[28]
Eastbourne were relegated back to the Conference South in 2010–11. Having beaten both Hayes and Yeading and Altrincham 5–0 at home early in the season,[29][30] they found themselves as top scorers in the Conference National at one point. However, following a series of setbacks involving injuries to key players, they endured a run of 20 games without a win. The winless streak was put to an end with a 1–0 away win at Fleetwood Town courtesy of an audacious free-kick from the half-way line by Matt Smart.[31] Despite regaining some form late in the season, Eastbourne were unable to recover and ended on 39 points, 8 points short of safety.[32] Ironically, Eastbourne beat Altrincham on the final day of the season to sentence them to the drop.[33]
The end of the 2010/11 season was marked with the first competitive game ever to be played at Brighton and Hove Albion's new Falmer Stadium, contested between Eastbourne and Brighton & Hove Albion Reserves in the Sussex Senior Cup Final. Eastbourne lost the game 2–0 with Gary Hart scoring the first goal at the new stadium.[34]
Halfway through the 2011–12Conference South season, after a poor run of results, Eastbourne parted company with Garry Wilson and Head Coach Nick Greenwood.[35][36][37] Both had been at the helm for 13 years and had taken the club from relative obscurity to the pinnacle of non-league football. Long-serving player Ben Austin was given a temporary player-manager role while the club looked a suitable replacement.[38]
Eastbourne appointed Tommy Widdrington as their new manager on 1 February 2012. With the team lying 18th in the Conference South, chairman Len Smith outlined the aim to avoid relegation and rebuild for the 2012–13 season[39]
The Sports secured their safety on the 41st and penultimate matchday, despite losing to a 3–0 scoreline away at Basingstoke Town. Results elsewhere meant their Conference South status was retained for the 2012–13 season.[40] They finished the season in 18th place.
Mixed fortunes: 2012–2023
Widdrington's arrival signaled a move towards a new look Eastbourne team, with the last few members of the 2007–08 promotion winning team leaving the club at the end of the season. Matt Crabb, Matt Smart and Ben Austin departed,[41][42] leaving Darren Baker as the sole survivor of the team that won promotion at Stevenage in 2008.[43]
The 2012–13 season was Widdrington's first full-season in charge and was a season of transition. In total 41 players pulled on a Borough shirt as the new manager tried to find the right mixture. Borough ended the season as the team having scored the fewest goals, but having one of the tightest defensive records, which contributed to their finishing the season in 12th place.[44]
In the spring of 2013, Eastbourne were in talks with Kuwaiti European Holdings (KEH) over a potential take over of the club.[45] Despite negotiations collapsing at the latter stages, Borough pressed on with their plans to develop the club, establishing an academy which would act as a feeder to the first team.[46] Following an 18-month rebuilding process, Borough had a strong start to the 2013–14 season accumulating 10 points from 4 matches, which earned Tommy Widdrington the August Manager of the Month award.[47] Their early season form, however, faded and they experienced a dip in mid-season which saw them fall away from the top. Despite regaining some momentum after Christmas they were unable to recover and finished the season in 10th place on 58 points.[48]
During the early stages of the 2014–15 season, Len Smith, who had served as chairman of the club for more than 40 years,[49][50] stood down from his position with Eastbourne sitting at the top of the fledgling Conference South table after 6 games.[5][51] Halfway through the season, upon the news that the Football Conference would be allowing artificial pitches from the 2015–16 season,[52] Eastbourne announced that they would convert to a 3G pitch by the 2015–16 or 2016–17 season[53] At this point in time, the Football League still refused allowing 3G pitches and Eastbourne was among the first Conference-level clubs to announce plans to switch to the surface.[53] Eastbourne finished the 2014–15 season in 11th place.
2015–16 was Eastbourne's 50th anniversary season. Although they could only secure a 17th-place finish in the league, they won the Sussex Senior Cup for the third time in their history at the end of the season.[54][55]
Widdrington resigned from his post in April 2017 to pursue an opportunity at Coventry City,[56] leaving head coach Hugo Langton in charge for the last 5 games of the season.[57]
At the end of the 2016–17 season, Eastbourne appointed Bognor Regis Town manager Jamie Howell to take over the vacant managerial position, who had two days previously lead Bognor back to the National League South.[58][59]
In Howell's first full season at the club, Eastbourne registered an 18th-place finish. The following season, Eastbourne started positively and found themselves in the play-off spots with 4 wins, 4 draws and just one defeat after their opening 9 games. However, their form dropped and Howell was sacked by the club on 16 February 2019 with Eastbourne in 15th place in the table.[60]
Eastbourne appointed Mark McGhee to act as interim manager until the end season.[61] Despite winning just once in their remaining 11 games – this coming as a shock 6–0 victory against play-off chasing Dartford – Borough managed to retain their National South status for another year.
The start of the 2019–20 season saw Lee Bradbury take charge for a very brief period until October 2019. In November 2019 Danny Bloor was announced as the new manager.[62] In a season curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Borough finished 18th. The following season saw Borough flying high in the 3rd place, before the competition was prematurely cancelled for the same reason.
The 2021–22 season was Danny Bloor's first full season in charge, despite having been manager for almost two years. Borough continued in the same vein as the previous season, finishing the season in 6th position. They entered the play-off eliminator round but lost to Oxford City 2–0. Eastbourne followed this with an 8th-place finish for the 2022–23 season, narrowly missing out on the play-off spots.
Under new ownership: 2023–present
On 2 June 2023, the club underwent a takeover, being bought by the former owner of travel media company Ink, Simon Leslie.[63] Following the takeover Danny Bloor left his position as manager.[64] A few days later Mark Beard was appointed as the new manager.[65]
Following a poor run of results leading to Eastbourne sitting in 21st, six points into the relegation zone, Mark Beard was sacked on the 1 January 2024.[66]Adam Murray was appointed as new manager a few days later.[67]
FA Cup history
During the 2005/06 season, the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history, when a battling performance saw them hold League Two club Oxford United to a 1–1 draw at home, winger Ollie Rowland, holding his nerve to score a 90th-minute penalty.[68]
This match gained the club three milestones. These were:
1. The first time that Eastbourne Borough had played a competitive match against a fully professional league-side.
2. The first time that Eastbourne Borough were given national television coverage (highlights of the match at the Priory Lane ground were shown on BBC's Match of the Day)[69]
3. For the first time ever the home and away supporters had to be segregated due to the attendance of 3,770.[70]
The East-Sussex side failed to win the replay at Oxford's Kassam Stadium on a cold mid-week November night.[71] losing 3–0, the Eastbourne squad put up a very good fight and were extremely unlucky not to score. Ex-Yeovil Town striker Yemi Odubade played particularly well and caused many problems for the defence, so much so that manager Brian Talbot admitted he was very interested in having the talented youngster play for his side and asked the Eastbourne Borough committee if he could take Yemi Odubade on a trial at Oxford United. In January 2006, Oxford paid Sports £15,000 to sign Odubade on an 18-month contract, rising to £25,000 with appearances.[72]
Again the club reached the FA Cup first round in the 2007/08 season and played Conference National side Weymouth. Borough lost 4 – 0 in front of a crowd of 2,711 supporters.[73] They also lost to the same scoreline in the 2008/09 season away to Barrow in the 1st round replay.[74]
The club reached the FA Cup first round again in the 2016/17 season and played Conference National side Braintree Town. Eastbourne crashed out of the competition by losing 7–0 to the Essex club.[75]
2020 saw the Sports grace BT Sports for a live FA Cup 1st round match versus Blackpool of League One. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was game played without fans. The Borough lost 3–0.[76]
Crest and colours
Eastbourne's club crest was updated in the summer of 2023 to couple with the takeover of the club by Simon Leslie. It brings a modern take on the traditional club badge which dated from the 1970s, and the current version is its third incarnation. It represents a Martello tower, specifically the one at nearby Langney Point, with a cloud passing across it. The club had sought a crest that was identifiable with the local area and the initial choice was between two local landmarks: Langney Priory and the aforementioned Martello tower.[77]
The club's colours have changed over time; originally they were maroon with an amber trim.[78] However, since 1972 the club's colour has been red.[78] Red has been combined with other colours over the years, including white and red,[78][79] however in recent years the predominant combination has been red and black.[78][80] The club have traditionally used various shades of blue for their away strip,[78] but in recent years yellow has been used.
Borough's main shirt sponsors have included 1st Class Windows,[81] Town Flats & Town Property,[82] Hailsham Roadway,[82] Best Demolition[83] and Interlink Express.[84] The Sports will be sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line for the 2023/24 season.
Since 1983, Eastbourne Borough have played their home games at Priory Lane, Langney, which has an official capacity of 4,151.[1] Prior to this they had played on the playing fields at Princes Park.[5] Many of the facilities on the Priory Lane site, including the clubhouse, were built largely by a handful of volunteers.[49] Just two professionals, a carpet fitter and a plumber, were deployed for the construction of the clubhouse.[49]
In 2006, Priory Lane hosted all three England fixtures of the Non League Four Nations Tournament.[85][86] The ground also hosted the Sussex Senior Cup final from 2000 to 2010.[87]
Eastbourne faced the possibility of losing their Priory Lane ground in 2007 due to a rent dispute with the local council. A petition was started to prevent this from occurring.[88]
Between 1983 and 2016, the playing surface at Priory Lane was natural grass. Eastbourne announced that a FieldTurf surface would be installed over the summer of 2016.[89]
In August 2022, Eastbourne Borough FC signed a stadium naming rights deal with SO Legal Ltd. The deal saw the ground's name changed to The SO Legal Stadium at Priory Lane. The deal will run until the end of the 2023/24 season.
Supporters
Eastbourne's attendances rapidly rose during the club's rise through the divisions. While in 2001–02 season they attracted an average crowd of 382, the attendance figures peaked during the 2008–09 season at an average of 1,344.[90]
Eastbourne Borough have a Supporter's Club which liaises with the club on behalf of the supporters, arranges match day travel and social events.[91]
Rivalries
Eastbourne Borough have shared a rivalry with Hastings United, Lewes, Tonbridge, Whitehawk and Worthing in recent years, which developed during the time spent sharing the same division with these clubs. The rivalry with Lewes drew large crowds during the 2007–08 season title race.[16][92] They have a lesser rivalry with the other two local clubs; Eastbourne Town and Eastbourne United due to not having shared the same league with either of them for a considerable time. Eastbourne Borough previously shared a rivalry with Crawley however this rivalry has also faded over time.
Mascot
Eastbourne's official mascot is Sammy Sunshine.[93]
Organisation and community involvement
Eastbourne Borough has been a FA Chartered Standard Community club since 2002[4][94] and became a Community Interest Company (CIC) in July 2008.[95] The club was the first senior football club in the country to have gained CIC status.[4][96][97] A CIC operates as a limited company, yet must fulfill and abide by certain criteria which benefit the community, including an asset lock.[98] Eastbourne Borough is a CIC limited by shares.[97]
Next to football coaching for all ages, the club provides a variety of services for the community, including study support, indoor bowls, archery and social events.[94][99]
Players
Current squad
Updated 8 March 2024.[100]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^ abcd"Community Club". Eastbourne Borough F.C. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
^"Annual Report 2008-09". Regulator of Community Interest Companies. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
