Sober reflection, level-headed ambition: Eastbourne Borough bosses and fans look back – and forward

Owner Simon Leslie met face to face with supporters on Thursday night in an open forum - and a frank discussion - in the Borough clubhouse. Both he and CEO Alan Williams took a retrospective view on the past ten months, and they opened the floor to questions - and there were plenty. They were joined for the second half of the evening by manager Steve King.

Leslie and Williams were also joined on the podium by former club chairman David Blackmore, who has remained involved with the club's administration and strategy. And notably, the audience was full of old faces, old stagers who have supported the club literally for decades. Newer recruits too were present, of course, and all eager for the rebuild.

Some eight months ago, the same clubhouse had resounded with noisy enthusiasm as the then new manager, Matt Gray, was introduced to the fans. This gathering was very different: sober, disappointed, reflective - and possibly not the worse for that, because Borough's rebuild must be from a solid basis.

But the discussions were a nice mix of sober reflection and level-headed ambition, for every supporter and player and manager should always pitch high. But also with realism and acceptance that the climb back - from Ryman to National South and beyond - will be tough.

Before taking questions from the floor, Simon fittingly set the tone. Reading word for word his Chairman's Message published in this week's Eastbourne Herald, he spoke with great personal feeling and with humility.

It was a strong reminder that Eastbourne Borough's owner is not some faceless distant tycoon, but man who shouts, enthuses over a brilliant save, groans at a missed open goal, and hugs people. But, as he said clearly, "We've just written another £100k cheque for this month's wages! I can't keep subsidising the club!

"Everyone is feeling it - from the academy to the bar staff. We have to assess the situation - assess and move forward. We have to get back where we belong!"

One immediate comment from the floor - "That came from the heart!" - drew equally instant applause. But then the questions came thick and fast.

Players leaving, remaining, newly signed? Full-time, part-time hybrid? What format is sustainable? "Is any non-league club sustainable?" came the wry thinking-aloud response from the owner.

Leslie revealed that funding Eastbourne Borough over three seasons has cost him a seven-figure sum. But the major sponsors have been either retained or replaced, and the message from the podium was certainly not one of financial distress.

On the - frankly disastrous - 25-26 playing season, opinions were batted to and fro. Why dismantle the successful Adam Murray squad? How did Borough start last season with such an under-powered squad under Matt Gray? Was Robbie Blake worth a longer pitch at turning results round? Why did a returning Tommy Widdrington not recapture the magic? Football is, as the great Jimmy Greaves succinctly put it, "a game of opinions!"

By the time the action had reached half-time, several specifics had emerged:

- seven players are already contracted for next season, including highly-prized young midfielder Arthur Grout. Three other players have option clauses to trigger a further year.

- Steve King has a list drawn up of players who would match his needs - he wants a squad of 20, achievable within the budget given to him

- the club will effectively revert to a part-time rather than full-time squad

- King has appointed Ryan Northmore as first team coach for the new season. The former Weston-super-Mare midfielder and player-manager has an admired reputation around the non-league circuit , as both tactician and motivator

- new home and away kits will include a main shirt sponsor which will be "the biggest deal in the league!"

- a new 4G pitch will be laid during the close season.

And a footnote on the Sussex Senior Cup saga. Alan Williams confirmed that, as it stands, Borough's semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion will go ahead on Wednesday, April 29 - although it is unclear what sort of Borough XI King will be able to field. A majority of current first-teamers will be out of contract immediately after the final National South fixture at Chelmsford on Saturday 25.

Staying just this side of diplomatic, Alan wearily explained that other dates had been offered on both sides, but the major roud block was probably the four weeks mid-season needed by the Seagulls - 14 days in February for the official international break, and then a further fortnight for the Albion Under-21 squad to return to training.

He was too diplomatic to be drawn further, but your Herald reporter is happy to observe that, among the other 42 clubs who entered this season's competition, there will be hundreds of players - and managers, coaches, physios and kitmen - who will have raced from work, sorted the babysitting, grabbed a quick supper and driven halfway across the county, to arrive just in time to be changed and warmed up for a 7.45 kick-off.

Mid-season break? Or a half-time slice of orange? Two cultures, is the phrase that springs to mind.

At any rate, it would be no surprise to find the Senior Cup final itself taking place as July or August curtain-raiser to the new season - hopefully with smiles all round. We’ll see.