Eastbourne Borough blown away by Blackpool's financial gesture

Eastbourne Borough bosses have showered praise on Blackpool FC after the League One said they would not be requesting any gate receipts from the proceeds of Sunday's FA Cup tie.
Friends and rivals ... Eastbourne Borough manager Danny Bloor and his Blackpool opposite number Neil Critchley / Picture: Lydia RedmanFriends and rivals ... Eastbourne Borough manager Danny Bloor and his Blackpool opposite number Neil Critchley / Picture: Lydia Redman
Friends and rivals ... Eastbourne Borough manager Danny Bloor and his Blackpool opposite number Neil Critchley / Picture: Lydia Redman

It is a big boost to the sum Borough will make from the game - and comes at a time when Blackpool, as well as the Sports, have been struggling on without any paying fans allowed into games.

John Bonar, Chief Executive Officer at Eastbourne Borough, said: "Blackpool Football Club have today stated they are not requesting any expenses for their recent visit to Eastbourne for the FA Cup tie on Sunday.

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"Ordinarily the process is that all expenses are added together and deducted from any gate receipts and then any profit split between the two clubs. Their expenses would have been significant and this is a phenomenal gesture for which we are very grateful.

"We tried our best to look after the players and directors of Blackpool during their short visit and treated them with the upmost respect they deserve, so to be recognised for our efforts with this goodwill gesture comes as a massive boost for everyone.

"Blackpool played their part in a day that will live long in the memory of everyone involved with the club, both on and off the pitch, and we can't thank them enough for their generosity, especially during this difficult time across the country.

"We wish Blackpool the best in their FA Cup venture and EFL League One campaign this season, and hope we have built a good relationship with the club on and off the pitch moving forward."

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Borough chairman David Blackmore wrote on a Blackpool FC forum: "On behalf of everyone at Eastbourne Borough FC I would just like to say a huge THANK YOU. The fundraising was brilliant and we will be forever grateful, however our thanks go way beyond that. These forums always split opinion about every club but I can tell you that you support a club that oozes class.

"Throughout the build-up to Sunday’s game, during and after, everybody involved in Blackpool FC, from supporters, club officials, media, management team and players have treated us as a club with the utmost respect both on and off the field. This takes a special kind of class when there is such a big gap between our clubs.

"Blackpool FC and it’s supporters will always hold a special place for Eastbourne Borough FC and we genuinely hope that we will be able to organise a pre-season friendly so that the fans of both our clubs can get together to create the magic again. good luck for the rest of the season and thank you again for being Blackpool FC."

* Eastbourne's decent start to the National League South season continued when a Dean Cox salvaged a point in a 1-1 draw at home to Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night. The Sports sit seventh in the table and host basement team Braintree on Saturday.