Boss relishing Eastbourne Borough opener - as he reveals how squad shaping is going

Danny Bloor is relishing Eastbourne Borough’s National League opener against fancied Dorking as he puts the final touches to his squad.
Boss Danny Bloor and skipper Charlie Walker / Picture: Andy PellingBoss Danny Bloor and skipper Charlie Walker / Picture: Andy Pelling
Boss Danny Bloor and skipper Charlie Walker / Picture: Andy Pelling

Borough will kick off their league season with a home game against hotly tipped Dorking on Tuesday, October 6 – and Bloor can’t wait.

Bloor said: “They will be favourites to win this league. They’ve spent money and signed very good players. But that puts all the pressure on them.”

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The Sports could find themselves up against former skipper Kane Wills, who joined Dorking in the summer, as well as winger Nicky Wheeler, who moved to the Surrey Hills club in January.

Borough and Dorking met in last season’s festive fixtures, with Borough suffering a 4-0 Boxing Day drubbing but responding with a superb 3-2 New Year’s Day victory, one of Priory Lane’s games of the season.

You can see the full fixture list in today's Eastbourne Herald

“It’s a great way to start our league programme – hopefully after a good FA Cup result the previous Saturday. Dorking came to the Lane as favourites on New Year’s Day, and no-one has forgotten what happened in that game. We will looking to do the same again.”

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The fixtures give the Sports a day off on Boxing Day. Restructing has left the division with only 21 clubs – and Borough are the odd club out on Decmeber 26.

Borough remain unbeaten in their friendlies after an impressive 1-1 draw at National League Sutton United on Tuesday.

Charlie Walker’s precision header gave the Sports the lead, and only a 90th minute Harry Beautyman penalty saved Sutton’s self-respect.

“Let’s not get carried away, but there were very promising signs. We played some excellent football especially in the first half. I took 20 players, all of whom did us proud. Their spirit and their appetite for the game was outstanding. Every single player is buying into this project.

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“We are very close to our our final squad. I’m looking to bring in another experienced defender, and that signing is very close. We are also lining up two probable loan deals with a Championship club. So we have the jigsaw pieces and it’s just about fitting them together.”

Borough entertain Potters Bar on Saturday at 3pm, but still without supporters on the sidelines. Kick-off for Langney’s FA Cup tie v Harrow – with paying spectators allowed – has been brought forward to 11am.