Opinion: What have Eastbourne Borough ever done for us? Quite a lot actually

Eastbourne Borough have managed ONE game in front of fans at Priory Lane since March - this one against Dartford in December / Picture: Andy Pelling

Borough’s reputation as “more than a football club” extends well beyond the town.

In 2019, the Sports were proud to be voted National League Community Club of the Year. Rooted in Langney, they have literally grown up with that area of the town, since, over half a century ago in 1965, Len Smith and a bunch of mates decided to turn their under-16 boys team into a men’s parks side. And the rest is local history.

Now, under the wider umbrella of its CIC Trust, the club serves the community from the cradle to old age.

The Priory Lane complex includes an Ofsted-acclaimed nursery as well as a huge indoor bowls hall, and – in Covid-free times – its Langney Sports Clubhouse hosts a range of social activities, including for elderly residents. And even in the current virtual shutdown, commercial manager Sian Ansell organised New Year food hampers for dozens of local residents in need.

On the footballing side, Borough’s first team competes in the second-highest tier of non-league, recently attracting national television coverage with a live FA Cup tie against Blackpool.

Its youth section runs coaching and fixtures for well over 400 youngsters. The Academy, run in conjunction with education partners Bexhill College, offers students an integrated route to higher education.

The Sports have also championed disability football, including the pioneering Frame Football for children with limited mobility. And there is regular Walking Football - for older supporters who can keep up with Danny Bloor’s high-octane first-teamers in mind, but not quite in body!

An FA Cup tie against Blackpool put Borough - and Priory Lane - on national live TV / Picture: Lydia Redman

Under the dark Covid-19 cloud, all this is at stake. Chairman David Blackmore, his board, and the core of Borough volunteers face the challenge of keeping the club alive – without gate income or commercial activity and, now, with the possible withdrawal of the Government grant. Running on empty. It really is as stark as that.

How things have unfolded in the past week...

Borough tell fans: We want to keep playing.

MP backs club's bid for U-turn on government grants.

Defiant Danny: Season is not over.

Holding out for a government change of heart.