Another month in Eastbourne’s footballing calendar rounds off this weekend - with differing local fortunes. And, whatever their loyalties, spectators have options.

Steve King's high-riding Borough - with just one defeat in 13 - welcome Ramsgate to the Connect Management Stadium. Lower down the pyramid, Town and United are out of town.

Eastbourne has been steeped in non-league football for many years, and we are currently spoiled for choice. Where are the Borough this weekend? As it happens, the Sports have a home fixture. Town or United? Check the fixture list, week by week, and you are always sure to find a happy, fresh-air alternative to trudging around the retail park.

As it happens this week, Jude Macdonald's Town are on the road to Margate, and United have a huge FA Vase date at Hassocks. So at least some of the floating voters will find their way to Priory Lane.

Eastbourne Borough in FA Trophy action at Leatherhead | Picture by Nick Redman

placeholder image — Eastbourne Borough in FA Trophy action at Leatherhead | Picture by Nick Redman

Incidentally, nobody should overlook the reborn Hailsham Town, who entertain Clanfield tomorrow (Saturday) at their Beaconsfield ground which saw so many triumphs in the past. And each of our clubs is alive with youth coaching, women's teams and disability football.

But my message is this, and it's very slightly impertinent. Yes, we also have a hugely successful Premier League club, playing top-notch football, just a half-hour train ride away in a splendid stadium moulded into the Downs. A great experience, without question - and our local football landscape has room for both.

It's not really chalk and cheese - more like earthy Cheddar and posh Mozzarella. But what you might miss out on at the Amex is the simple joy of watching the lads whom you know, seeing them develop, catching up with them in the clubhouse.

At a Borough game, you might sit next to talented young full-back Matthew Hayden's mum and dad on one side of you - and a couple of opposition supporters on the other.

Eastbourne Town in action v Punjab United | Picture byJosh Claxton

The other night at Maldon and Tiptree, I settled myself between local football guru David Bauckham on one side, and a cluster of knowledgeable "Jammers" supporters on the other. The chat was sometimes learned, sometimes wryly humorous, but we parted as friends and we look forward to the return fixture.

Oh, and behind the goal, a whole bunch of teens and preteens - from both clubs - were eagerly battling to out-shout each other. Give them a few decades, and the noisy youngsters will have taken over the oldsters' places in the stand! But non-league will still be non-league - and proud of it.

KING HAPPY WITH MIDWEEK MAGIC

A 2-1 win at Maldon and Tiptree took Eastbourne Borough into fourth place in the Isthmian Premier table in midweek – and left boss Steve King delighted.

"Very happy with that overall,” he said. “We could or should have gone 3-0 up when Paul McCallum missed that header, and game over. He would score that one nine times out of ten!

"But Maldon and Tiptree are a very decent side and they kept going, and had two or three decent chances. We know there has been some turmoil here, and they're just coming out of it. Not many teams will come here and go away with three points.

"For us, 12 wins in 13 games is incredible. We are up to fourth, and we can climb higher as we notch up our games in hand. Another tough one on Saturday when Ramsgate - but they're all tough, aren't they?

"We are all appreciating the support. We had 70 here, at three hours each way - fantastic!

"As always, at the final whistle we make a point of going across to applaud the supporters. It's always fun in the sun in the early season - but it's getting chillier now but they're not deterred. It makes a huge difference to the lads."

What did King say to the team post-match? “I just went into the dressing room, looked around, and said to them - you look knackered! Let's do it all again on Saturday!"