At last! Eastbourne Borough fans can head 'home'

Eastbourne Borough playing in front of their fans at home last season - now this scene will be seen again / Picture: Jon Rigby

Getting to ‘Yes’ has been a long road for clubs like Borough. They have long been convinced that games can be attended safely, and have complied with every jot and tittle of Government guidelines. But they have seen their case met with prevarication or plain rejection.

Priory Lane itself has been Covid-prepared for months. The Sports were playing friendlies behind closed doors while tenants Langney Wanderers were permitted to stage Southern Combination and FA Cup matches, with paying spectators.

National South clubs, tagged as elite sport along with the Arsenals and Liverpools, have played their season so far in echoing, soulless stadiums. In fairness, Government financial support, branded as a National Lottery grant, has compensated clubs for loss of gate receipts.

“We repeat our gratitude and appreciation for the lifeline that this has given our clubs,” said Borough CEO John Bonar. “Now we can finally move forward with the people who matter most of all to us – our loyal supporters.”

The principle, announced by culture and sport chief Oliver Dowden on Monday, must now be put into practice – and it is a numbers game.

Clubs in tier two – the tier the whole of Sussex is in – will be permitted a maximum of 2,000 spectators, or 50 per cent of ground capacity – whichever is lower.

By either measure, the Sports could admit up to 1,000. Last season’s average attendance was a little over 650 and – even allowing for a fresh swell of interest among sport-starved fans – there will be room for the regulars and some new faces.

Bonar said: “For players, officials and essential attendees, the system is all up and running. Signage, temperature testing, everything. Now we just have to multiply the numbers up.

“We will await detailed guidance from the National League, but we are sure that the stadium can safely hold between 800 and 1,000 spectators. .

“It’s going to need co-operation and good sense – but local football supporters have that in bucketloads.”

St Albans City visit tomorrow behind closed doors but games at home to Dartford (December 5) and Maidstone (December 28) are the ones fans will be eyeing up.