That’s life. That’s football. That’s our Borough.

Frank Sinatra had a song for it: That’s Life. The ups, the downs, the knocks, and finding the belief to go again.

Our FA Cup journey ended at Salisbury on Saturday. But what I brought home was an enormous sense of pride in the people who stood behind us.

There were probably 1,700 Salisbury supporters and around 100 from Eastbourne. For a good 50 minutes, you would have struggled to work out which was which.

Some of the Borough fans at SAlisbury - where they made themselves heard despite a cup defeat | Picture by Lydia Redman

placeholder image — Some of the Borough fans at SAlisbury - where they made themselves heard despite a cup defeat | Picture by Lydia Redman

Our hundred sang their hearts out. From the first minute to the 96th, they kept going. The kids had their shirts off, waving them above their heads, completely caught up in the moment. What a wonderful sight. All that noise, all that joy, all that belief in their team.

I landed at 9am that morning and drove down to Salisbury. For the first 50 minutes, I really believed we could do it. We came close to taking the lead, and had that chance gone in, perhaps we would be telling a different story. The better side won on the day. We shake their hands, wish them well and go again.

The result deserves its place in the match report. These supporters deserve a column of their own.

Running a football club gives you plenty of days when you question yourself. People have opinions, sometimes they call your name; sometimes they call you things you would rather not see printed in the Herald!

You cannot please everyone, and there are moments when the effort feels a long way from the reward.

Then you stand at Salisbury and watch 100 people from Eastbourne singing themselves hoarse, and you remember exactly why you care so much.

You hear the songs continuing when the game is slipping away. You see people refusing to let a disappointing result take away their pride in belonging.

That stays with you.

I am proud of what we are rebuilding at Eastbourne Borough. These last couple of months have given us so much to enjoy. Fans coming back in force, chanting, singing, celebrating and getting behind this team. You can feel the connection growing.

If you travelled to Salisbury, bring someone with you next time you come to Priory Lane. If you have drifted away, come back. If you have been wondering whether to give your local club a visit, come and be part of it.

We want to climb back up the leagues, and we need this town alongside us. Every voice helps. Every person through the gate makes a difference. The players feel your support, and so do I.

Leatherhead is our next stop in the FA Trophy – we visit them tomorrow. Another challenge, another opportunity to give you something to sing about.

But before we move on, I want those who travelled to Salisbury to know how much their support meant.

You gave your time, your money and every last bit of your voice. Even as our Cup run ended, you gave us something beautiful to remember.

From the bottom of my heart: thank you, thank you, thank you.