Coronavirus: Eastbourne Borough braced to battle through uncertain times

It all adds up – or actually, it doesn’t. Eastbourne Borough will be running on empty in the coming weeks, after their season screeched to a halt in the face of the Covid-19 crisis.
Borough players celebrate on their way to last Saturdays victory over Maidstone - but its a scene that wont be repeated for a while. Picture by Jon RigbyBorough players celebrate on their way to last Saturdays victory over Maidstone - but its a scene that wont be repeated for a while. Picture by Jon Rigby
Borough players celebrate on their way to last Saturdays victory over Maidstone - but its a scene that wont be repeated for a while. Picture by Jon Rigby

The Sports will need to manage their finances down to the last penny, with all their normal income streams suddenly switched off as all activity ceases at Priory Lane.

Last weekend the National League bucked the trend and permitted one last round of fixtures. Ironically, it brought Borough one of their best gates of the season – well over 800 – and a healthy income from bar and refreshment takings.

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The attendance was boosted by a number of floating supporters, some deprived of their Amex trip, where Albion’s fixture with Arsenal had been called off.

But the Maidstone game was to be Borough’s last income for quite a while. By Monday, the National League’s management committee had announced the inevitable.

All games are off until at least the start of April, although realistically nobody is expecting a resumption for weeks, months or conceivably not at all.

Speaking on BBC Sussex in midweek, football chairman John Bonar spelt out the situation in stark terms.

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“We have match day revenue obviously. But our youth section also brings in a lot of money, which helps to pay the bills. Without these sources, we’ve got no money coming in.

"As it stands at the moment, the bar and the restaurant are still open, but we are aware that one simple directive from the government could change that at a stroke.

“So yes, these are very difficult times, to be very honest. But we’ll get through it.

"We are still taking advice from the National League and from the FA, and from Government sources. But we don’t know what, if any, outside assistance we are going to get.

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"It’s my understanding that the National League are already in dialogue with the Premier League clubs. We’re listening for whatever they can do for us, and we are at very early stages at the moment.”

The Premier League does manage a fund to support grass roots football, and most observers of non-league will feel that this, if ever, is the moment to reach out across the touchlines.

The financial figures at the top of the game are eye-watering. The reputed average salary of a Brighton first-team player is around £1.9million annually – a sum which would cover the playing budget of a National League South club for a decade.

In fairness and proportion, salaries at Manchester City are actually three or four times higher still!

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The wage bill at Priory Lane is the biggest single expense, but there are also weekly running and maintenance costs, and other activities to fund.

“As everyone knows, we are the at hub of our community. Our priority is the good health and safety of everyone coming into us, and to do what we can for the community – we work both ways.”

The thriving youth section of over 400 players – staffed by an army of qualified but unpaid coaches – is at an enforced standstill, and subscriptions will be on hold, although John’s letter to parents this week included an invitation to continue paying them if possible, to help keep the club’s infrastructure running.

"We would not pressure you, of course, but if any of you do feel able to make this extra gesture, we would be enormously thankful. Even small donations make a real difference."

But Bonar finished with a mix of realism and rallying-cry.

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“We have had a difficult season anyway – that is no secret. We had just about managed to plug that gap, and then along comes the coronavirus.

"We have some good people behind the club, and along with the other local football clubs in Eastbourne, we will get through one way or another.

“We are all in this together – except that with the present restrictions, we’re not allowed to be together! But you know what I mean!”