If you’re a coffee shop, you don’t tell customers you’re not selling any coffee

With last week’s null and void vote in the National League, we thought the Fat Lady had launched into her dying aria. But it turned out to be merely the Finale Act One – and now they are tuning up for a possible whole second half.

“We, with the 18 clubs who wrote to the League, have made the case that they went against their own rules and constitution," Blackmore said.

Blackmore’s argument, shared by a body of clubs in National South and National North, is that the League needed a 75% majority of member clubs in order to declare the two regional divisions null and void, when in fact there was a majority of clubs voting to carry on.

The League decision has still not been ratified by the FA, while legal wrangling continues. Eastbourne Borough, meanwhile, are insisting that the club is keen to complete the season – and has the resources to do so.

But what shape would a competition take – if even a minority of National South clubs voted with their feet and refused to fulfil fixtures? “Our position is that the season should continue as originally planned. But out of respect for those clubs who feel unable to carry on, we are open to other options.”

In other words, Borough would not rule out a restructured competition across the two regional divisions. An “all play all” basis would raise some challenges. Eastbourne Borough versus AFC Fylde, for example? “We could always play that one at Oxford City!” responds Blackmore – and he is not simply being flippant.

A regionalised competition, leading to play-offs, might be more feasible. But what has emerged from the Priory Lane - where Danny Bloor’s first team squad have been continuing to engage in full-blooded training sessions – is the determination to keep the season alive.

And if the National South is finally shut down? “We are a football club and we want to be playing football. If you’re a coffee shop, you don’t tell customers you’re not selling any coffee. We would consider alternative competitions if it came to that, and if it meant we kept playing.”

And, with Government grants not available, can the Sports cope financially? CEO John Bonar – not a man known for reckless statements – has a quietly confident message.

“We’ve been very prudent. We slashed our budgets in comparison with previous years. We have done everything in the right way. The loans offered are very competitive, and the scheduling gives us time to operate. We have a duty and a moral obligation – we took grants, which across the whole League totalled around £11 million. If we have to bin the season now, that Government money was spent for nothing.

“We would not put the club at risk. We are actually in a better place than this club has been in for many years. We have the foundation. We want to play the best football we can and the best opponents we can – and yes, if we did get promotion we would grab it with both hands.”

Manager Bloor shares the belief. “We are training as normal, and we have a couple of excellent friendlies lined up. We will continue as normal until we are told to stop. We have a fantastic squad, it’s well balanced and in good form. I have a real struggle to stop them playing. The other week we had a cancellation and I said, boys, you can take the Saturday off. And they came straight back and said no, Gaffer, we want to come in and train!

“Whether it’s this season or in a new season, we are building something special at this club. I see no reason why we cannot take this football club into the Football League. But that’s for the longer term. We need players who care about this football club, and who don’t just treat it as a meal ticket. We all have our part to play!”

* Borough have a training match on Saturday (midday) v a QPR XI. The club hope to stream the game. There is also a friendly planned for Tuesday night (7.45pm) against Football League opposition which will also be live streamed.

Meanwhile in a National League fans' vote Eastbourne Borough personnel have scooped an award treble. Danny Bloor was voted Manager of the Season, Chris Whelpdale Player of the Season and Joel Rollinson Young Player of the season. The total of votes cast in all categories was more than 5,000.