Leslie: It’s been a tough week at Eastboune Borough – but now the hard work continues

Sadly, as you will know from our announcement on Wednesday, which is also detailed on today’s Eastboune Herald back page, we parted ways with the manager Tommy Widdrington after Tuesday night’s defeat at Chesham.

We felt it was time to start looking at all eventualities and that it was the right time to part ways with Tommy and his assistant, Hugo Langton.

There are still 13 games left – and we have to fight really hard to try to retain our National League South status. It is not a lost cause.

We also need to be ready to look at the longer-term and to be realistic about whether a return to a part-time set-up is necessary. We are reviewing all options.

We wish Tommy and Hugo all the best and thank them for their efforts while they were with us.

Torquay come to the Connect Management Stadium tomorrow and we have not forgotten what happened at their place earlier in the season.

It was our heaviest defeat of the campaign. It hurt and it should hurt, because if you are serious about building something meaningful you do not brush days like that aside, you use them as fuel.

We showed against Maidstone last week what we are capable of when we play with intensity and belief. Then we went to Weston and faced a strong, physical side who got the better of us. No excuses, they earned it.

But this group is certainly not finished. There is plenty of football still to play, plenty of points to fight for and plenty of opportunity ahead of us.

And it does not get any easier. On Tuesday night we are back under the floodlights against Dorking Wanderers, who are top of the league, with Torquay sitting second.

Two top sides, two serious tests in the space of a few days. If you want to compete these are the games you have to embrace rather than fear.

The schedule is demanding and what matters now is character. We need energy in the stadium and people who understand that momentum is built on being stronger together. I can assure you not one of us is happy with the situation, we all need to do our part – and the boys hear you.

While the men regroup, the women have set the tone.

Beating Worthing in the cup, a side two tiers above, was not just a good result, it was brave and deserved.

Chris and the girls have shown what happens when you play without fear. Add to that the women’s walking football team winning the plate at the Withdean and you see a club competing and winning at every level. The women are showing the way and deserve enormous credit.

Away from the pitch, the Padel Club has been everything we hoped. When we spoke about turning the stadium into a true hub for sport and community, this is what that vision looked like.

We have had world class players on the courts and have seen people in their 80s picking up a racket for the first time. It is inclusive, social and brings new energy into the stadium.

Perhaps a few of the hundred or so bowlers who were understandably frustrated at the change might consider giving padel a go. It is excellent for hand eye coordination, good for the mind and genuinely open to anyone, regardless of age or experience.

The coffee shop is now inside the padel centre, so come down, watch some padel, have a cake and a proper cappuccino and make an afternoon of it. Bring friends and family and be part of what we are building.

But to finish on the subject of the first team, come and back the boys tomorrow and Tuesday. You can make a difference.