Eastbourne Borough F.C.

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Eastbourne Borough
Eastbourneboroughfc.png
Full name Eastbourne Borough Football Club
Nickname(s) The Sports
Founded 1964 (as Langney)
Ground Langney Sports Club
Eastbourne
(Capacity: 4,151 [1])
Chairman Len Smith
Manager Vacant
League Conference South
2010–11 Conference National, 23rd
(relegated)
Home colours
Away colours

Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney. The managerial position is currently vacant with long-serving player Ben Austin in a temporary caretaker role.

Contents

[edit] History

See also: List of Eastbourne Borough F.C. seasons

[edit] Early years

They were formed in 1964 as Langney F.C., naming themselves after the Langney district of Eastbourne in which the club continues to play its home games. It all started when a group of friends had played for the Langney and Friday Street youth team were too old to carry on playing and decided to form their own team so they could continue to play football.[2] On forming in 1964, Langney FC entered the Eastbourne & District Football League, competing in Division 2. (Clearly, the team was happy to just have 11 men on the pitch, sans fans.) Prior to the 1968/69 season there was a change of name to Langney Sports F.C. when the club affiliated to the Langney Community Association. At this time the club was playing on local recreation grounds before moving to Princes Park near the seafront, next door to Eastbourne United's ground at The Oval. At the end of the season 1973/74, the club won promotion to the Premier Division of the Eastbourne & Hastings League.

[edit] County League years

In 1983 the club was elected as a founding member of Division 3 of the Sussex County League, minutely overshadowed by FA officials stating that the club was a "parks team" and not taking the club seriously. They relocated from the playing fields at Princes Park to their current home ground at Priory Lane, in the heart of the residential area of Langney.

In 1986/87 Langney Sports became Third Division champions, and completed a treble by winning both the Division 3 League Cup and the Eastbourne Challenge Cup. Sports followed this with a second successive promotion the next season to Division 1. In 1992, Langney reached the final of the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup, losing 0-1 to the reserve team of Sussex's only professional club, Brighton & Hove Albion. Apart from two seasons (1994/95 and 1995/96) when they finished in 11th and 9th place respectively, Langney never finished outside of the top four in Division One; the manager, Pete Cherry, left the club on mutual grounds having brought Langney Sports up from the Eastbourne and Hastings league into the county league; for two years Steve Richardson took the reins followed by Garry Wilson in 1999. In his first full season in 2000 they finished the season as Sussex County League Champions, and were promoted to the Eastern Division of the Southern League.

[edit] Climb to the Conference: the Wilson years 1999-2012

Eastbourne Borough home to Maidenhead United on 18 August 2007.

After their first season in the Southern Football League Eastern Division, they finished 9th in the table, the club chairman, Len Smith, announced on 26 May 2001 that the club was to be renamed Eastbourne Borough to reflect the town the team played in.[3] In their second season they finished seventh, and in the following season finished second, losing out on the title on goal difference to Dorchester Town, and were promoted to the Premier Division.[4] Though they only finished 11th in their first season in the Premier Division, as the league system was changed the club were qualified to be one of the founders of the newly formed Conference South for the start of the 2004/05 season. A further promotion was almost earned immediately as the club finished fifth, and won the Conference South play-offs, beating Cambridge City 3-0.[4][5] However, they were beaten 2-1 by Altrincham (who had won the Conference North play-offs) in the play-off final at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium, and remained in the Conference South.[6]

The next season they finished in the bottom half of the table in 17th place and in the 2006/07 season they just missed out in the play-offs finishing in 7th place. The 2007/08 season was the best Eastbourne Borough had done. From the start of the season until 1 January 2008 they were unbeaten at the top of the league. Lewes became the first team that season to beat them and replaced them at the top of the table. At the end of the season Eastbourne finished 2nd with 80 points while Lewes won with 89 points.

The club won promotion to the Conference National on 8 May 2008 with a 2-0 win over Hampton & Richmond Borough in the Conference South Play-off final at Broadhall Way, Stevenage.[7]

Eastbourne Borough away to Woking 27 January 2009.

At the start of their 2008-09 campaign in the Conference they were struggling outside the relegation zone, however after a few loan players being brought in, with the likes of Dan Smith and Ashley Barnes from Plymouth Argyle,[8] and the signing of Dan Brown from Cambridge United,[9] Eastbourne managed to stay in the top half of the table after some surprising wins over full time clubs such as Torquay United and York City,[10][11] until the last day of the season, losing 0-2 to Barrow.[12] They finished their first season in a comfortable 13th place with 60 points and a goal difference of -12. The season saw Eastbourne play 'live' for the first time at Priory Lane in front of national TV cameras, which broadcasted their match against Stevenage, a match they won 2-1.[4][13] Eastbourne also completed the 2008-09 season by winning the Sussex Senior Cup beating Brighton & Hove Albion Reserves 1-0.[14]

The 2009-10 season saw Eastbourne struggle from 'second season syndrome'. After a bright start, beating A.F.C. Wimbledon and eventual FA Trophy winners Barrow at Priory Lane,[15][16] Eastbourne experienced a slump in form and found themselves in a relegation battle. However a strong run of form towards the tail of the season saw them stay up in dramatic fashion beating eventual Play-Off winners Oxford United 1-0 on the final day of the season, with a late penalty scored by Simon Weatherstone in the 84th minute.[17]

Eastbourne were relegated back to the Conference South in 2010–11, after a season which started so promisingly. Having beaten both Hayes and Yeading and Altrincham 5-0 at home early in the season,[18][19] they found themselves as top scorers in the Conference National at one point. However, following a series of setbacks involving injuries to key players, they endured a run of 20 games without a win. The winless streak was put to an end with a 1-0 away win at Fleetwood Town courtesy of an audacious free-kick from the half-way line by Matt Smart.[20] Despite regaining some form late in the season, Eastbourne were unable to recover and ended on 39 points, 8 points short of safety.[21] Ironically, Eastbourne beat Altrincham on the final day of the season to sentence them to the drop.[22]

The end of the 2010/11 season was marked with the first competitive game ever to be played at Brighton's new Falmer Stadium, contested between Eastbourne and Brighton & Hove Albion Reserves in the Sussex Senior Cup Final. Eastbourne lost the game 2-0 with Gary Hart scoring the first goal at the new stadium.[23]

Half way through the 2011-12 Conference South season, after a poor run of results, Eastbourne parted company with Garry Wilson and Head Coach Nick Greenwood.[24][25][26] Both had been at the helm for 13 years and had taken the club from relative obscurity to the the pinnacle of non-league football. Long-serving player Ben Austin was given a temporary Player-Manager role while the Club looked a suitable replacement.[27]

[edit] FA Cup history

During the 2005/06 season, the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history, when a battling performance saw them hold League Two club Oxford United to a 1-1 draw at home, winger Ollie Rowland, holding his nerve to score a 90th-minute penalty.[28]

This epic match gained the club three milestones. These were:

  • 1. The first time that Eastbourne Borough had played a fully professional league-side.
  • 2. The first time that Eastbourne Borough were given national television coverage (highlights of the match at the Priory Lane ground were shown on BBC's Match Of The Day)
  • 3. For the first time ever the home and away supporters had to be segregated due to the attendance of 3,770.

The East-Sussex side failed to win the replay at Oxford's Kassam Stadium on a cold mid-week November night.[29] losing 3-0, the Eastbourne squad put up a very good fight and were extremely unlucky not to score. Ex-Yeovil Town striker Yemi Odubade played particularly well and caused many problems for the defence, so much so that manager Brian Talbot admitted he was very interested in having the talented youngster play for his side and asked the Eastbourne Borough committee if he could take Yemi Odubade on a trial at Oxford United. In January 2006, Oxford paid Sports £15,000 to sign Odubade on an 18-month contract, rising to £25,000 with appearances.[30]

Again the club reached the FA Cup first round in the 2007/08 season and played Conference National side Weymouth. Borough lost 4 - 0 in front of a crowd of 2711 supporters.[31] Also lost to the same scoreline in the 2008/09 season away to Barrow in the 1st round replay.[32]

[edit] Supporters

Eastbourne Borough have shared a rivalry with Lewes and Crawley in recent years. They have a lesser rivalry with the other two local clubs, Eastbourne Town and Eastbourne United due to not having shared the same league with either of them for a considerable time.

[edit] Current squad

As of 20 January 2012.[33]

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
England GK Seb Barton
Canada GK Anthony Di Bernardo
England GK Clark Masters
England DF Ben Austin
England DF Darren Baker
England DF Sam Cole
England DF Gary Charman
England DF Peter Gregory
England DF Matt Langston
England DF Ollie Rowe
England DF James Smith
England MF Steve Brinkhurst
No. Position Player
England MF Matt Crabb
England MF Eddie Hutchinson
England MF Simon Johnson
England MF Matt Smart
England MF Ethan Strevett
England MF Ross Treleaven
Guinea-Bissau FW Bailo Camara
England FW Gary Hart
England FW Ian Pulman
England FW Carl Rook
England FW Ben Watson

[edit] Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
England GK Rikki Banks (at Lewes)[34]
England DF Sonny Cobbs (at Eastbourne Town)[35]
England FW Billy Medlock (at Hastings)[36]

[edit] Notable former players

1. Players that have played in the football league or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
2. Players with full international caps.
3. Players that hold a club record or have captained the club.

England
Austria
Dominica
Finland
France
Ireland
Nigeria
Northern Ireland
Wales
For a further list of former players, see Category:Eastbourne Borough F.C. players

[edit] Coaching staff

  • England Ben Austin - Player/Caretaker Manager
  • England Adrian Colwell - Coach
  • England Sam Blanchard - Physio
  • England Becky Jeffries - Physio

[edit] Other Teams

Eastbourne Borough have other teams which include:

  • Eastbourne Borough Reserves, currently playing in the Suburban Football League
  • Eastbourne Borough Ladies, formed in 2004 and currently play in the South East Combination Premier.
  • Eastbourne Borough Youth.
  • Eastbourne Borough Under 18's.

[edit] Management History

Below is a list of Langney Sports (1983–2001) and Eastbourne Borough (2001–Present) managers since 1983.

Stats as of 17 February 2012

Dates Name Achievements Games Won Lost Drawn % Notes
From: 1983
To: 1997		 England Peter Cherry Sussex County League
Division 3 Champions: 1986/87
Division 2 Champions: 1987/88		 456 242 111 103 53.07
From: 1997
To: January 1999		 England Steve Richardson 58 35 16 7 60.34
From: January 1999
To: 8 February 1999		 England Nick Greenwood
(Caretaker Manager)		 1 0 0 1 0
From: 9 February 1999
To: 17 January 2012		 Scotland Garry Wilson Sussex County League
Division 1 Champions: 1999/01
Southern League
Eastern runners-up: 2002/03
Conference South
Promotion: 2007/08		 553 237 187 129 42.86 [37][38]
[39][24]
[25][40]
[26]
From: 17 January 2012
To: Present		 England Ben Austin
(Caretaker Player-Manager)		 2 0 2 0 0 [41][27]

[edit] Honours and Achievements

Achievements before 2001 were under the Langney Sports F.C. name. After 2001 under the Eastbourne Borough F.C. name.

[edit] League

  • Eastbourne & Hastings Premier League:

Winners: 1981/82

Division 1 Champions: 1999/00
Division 2 Champions: 1987/88
Division 3 Champions: 1986/87

Eastern Division Runners Up: 2002/03

Play-off Winners: 2004/05, 2007/08

Play-off Finalists: 2004/05

  • Highest League Table Position

Conference National: 13th, 2008/09

[edit] Cup

  • Sussex Division 3 League Cup:

Winners: 1986/87

  • Sussex County League Cup:

Winners: 1989/90

  • Sussex Floodlight Cup:

Finalists: 1986/87

  • Sussex Intermediate Cup:

Winners: 1985/86, 2002/03

Winners: 2001/02, 2008/09
Finalists: 1991/92, 2002/03, 2010/11

Fourth Round: 2007/08

First Round: 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09

Third Round: 2001/02, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2010/11

Second Round: 1990/91, 1991/92, 1997/98

[edit] Club Records

  • Most Appearances:

Darren Baker, 904 (as of 21/05/2011)[42]

  • Most Goals Scored:

Scott Ramsay, 185 (2002–2008)

  • Highest Transfer Received:

£25,000 for Yemi Odubade, Oxford United, 2006[30]

  • Attendance:

3,770 V Oxford United, FA Cup R1, 5/11/2005[4]

  • Biggest Win:

11-1 v Crowborough (13/01/2009)[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Priory Lane Stadium". Eastbourne Borough F.C.. http://www.ebfc.co.uk/a/priory-lane-directions-18533.html. Retrieved 2010–11-13. 
  2. ^ "Borough's rise is the stuff of dreams". The Argus. 2008-05-14. http://www.theargus.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2268902.mostviewed.boroughs_rise_is_the_stuff_of_dreams.php. Retrieved 2009-04-15. 
  3. ^ "Football: Langney taken off the map". The Argus. 2001-05-29. http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2001/5/29/177420.html. Retrieved 2009-04-15. 
  4. ^ a b c d e "Club History". Eastbourne Borough F.C.. http://www.ebfc.co.uk/a/club-history-18480.html. Retrieved 2011-07-26. 
  5. ^ "The Play-off Final". Cambridge City F.C.. 2005-05-09. http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=1&num=583. Retrieved 2011-07-26. 
  6. ^ "Altrincham promoted to Conference". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2005-05-15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/4548795.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  7. ^ "Wilson thrilled as Eastbourne Borough promoted". Steve Hollis (The Argus). 2008-05-08. http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/2258429.wilson_thrilled_as_eastbourne_borough_promoted/. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  8. ^ "Eastbourne capture Plymouth duo". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2008-12-01. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/eastbourne_borough/7752823.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-26. 
  9. ^ "Eastbourne sign Cambridge's Brown". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2008-11-07. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/eastbourne_borough/7715881.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-26. 
  10. ^ "Eastbourne 4-2 Torquay". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2008-12-09. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7763398.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  11. ^ "Eastbourne 2-1 York". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2009-01-22. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7844365.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  12. ^ "Eastbourne 0-2 Barrow". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2009-04-26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8002689.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-26. 
  13. ^ "Osborne makes Borough debut in front of TV cameras". Steve Hollis (The Argus). 2008-10-12. http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/3749917.print/. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  14. ^ "Boro lift Sussex Senior Cup". Eastbourne Herald. 2009-05-04. http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/sport/boro_lift_sussex_senior_cup_1_1424527. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  15. ^ "Eastbourne 1-0 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2009-08-11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8192457.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  16. ^ "Eastbourne Borough 2-1 Barrow". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2009-08-22. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8207992.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  17. ^ "Eastbourne 1-0 Oxford". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2010-04-24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/mobile/football/eng_conf/8620906.stm. Retrieved 2010-07-07. 
  18. ^ "Eastbourne 5-0 Hayes & Yeading". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2010-08-17. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8898609.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  19. ^ "Eastbourne 5-0 Altrincham". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2010-09-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8989529.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  20. ^ "Fleetwood 0-1 Eastbourne Boro". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2011-02-26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/9401941.stm. Retrieved 2011-05-22. 
  21. ^ "Borough relegated". Steve Hollis (The Argus). 2011-04-16. http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/8978894.Borough_relegated/. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  22. ^ "Altrincham 3-4 Eastbourne Boro". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2011-04-30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/9465658.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-26. 
  23. ^ "Hart so pleased to score Amex opener". Andy Naylor (The Argus). 2011-07-16. http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/albion/9144064.Hart_so_pleased_to_score_Amex_opener/. Retrieved 2011-07-25. 
  24. ^ a b "Wilson and Greenwood sacked by Borough". Howard Griggs (The Argus). 2012-01-17. http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/nonleague/9476655.Wilson_and_Greenwood_sacked_by_Borough/. Retrieved 2012-01-19. 
  25. ^ a b "We are very proud to have been part of Borough’s history". Eastbourne Herald. 2012-01-19. http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/sport/eastbourne-borough/we_are_very_proud_to_have_been_part_of_borough_s_history_1_3437432. Retrieved 2012-01-19. 
  26. ^ a b "A 13-year romance". Eastbourne Herald. 2012-01-19. http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/sport/eastbourne-borough/a_13_year_romance_1_3437455. Retrieved 2012-01-19. 
  27. ^ a b "Skipper Austin to take charge at Tonbridge Angels". Eastbourne Herald. 2012-01-19. http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/sport/eastbourne-borough/skipper_austin_to_take_charge_at_tonbridge_angels_1_3437418. Retrieved 2012-01-19. 
  28. ^ "Eastbourne Borough 1-1 Oxford". BBC Sport. 2005-11-05. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4387918.stm. Retrieved 2008-11-27. 
  29. ^ "Oxford 3-0 Eastbourne Borough". BBC Sport. 2005-11-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4430970.stm. Retrieved 2008-11-27. 
  30. ^ a b "Oxford capture Eastbourne striker". BBC Sport. 2006-01-27. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/4654706.stm. Retrieved 2008-11-27. 
  31. ^ "Eastbourne 0-4 Weymouth". BBC Sport. 2007-11-10. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7076510.stm. Retrieved 2008-11-27. 
  32. ^ "Barrow 4-0 Eastbourne". BBC Sport. 2008-11-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7726866.stm. Retrieved 2008-11-27. 
  33. ^ "1st XI - Players & Coaches". Eastbourne Borough F.C.. http://www.ebfc.co.uk/s/players-coaches-21890.html. Retrieved 2011-05-13. 
  34. ^ "Banks stays and Boro SSC date confirmed". Lewes F.C.. 30 December 2011. http://lewesfc.com/news/2011/12/banks-stays-and-boro-ssc-date-confirmed. Retrieved 04 January 2012. 
  35. ^ "One game at a time for Town and Sonny". Eastbourne Herald. 13 November 2011. http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/sport/eastbourne-town/one_game_at_a_time_for_town_and_sonny_1_3240716. Retrieved 13 November 2011. 
  36. ^ "Two new signings ahead of Met Police trip". hastingsunitedfc.co.uk (Hastings United). 02 December 2011. http://www.hastingsunitedfc.co.uk/news/article/two-new-signings-ahead-of-met-police-trip/. Retrieved 05 December 2011. 
  37. ^ "Football League is our aim - Wilson". Eastbourne Herald. 2009-01-23. http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/sport/Football-League-is-our-aim.4907799.jp. Retrieved 2009-01-29. 
  38. ^ "A decade of success: from County League to Conference". Eastbourne Herald. 2009-02-13. http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/sport/A-decade-of-success-from.4978559.jp. Retrieved 2009-03-23. 
  39. ^ "Eastbourne Borough sack manager Garry Wilson". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2012-01-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16610719.stm. Retrieved 2012-01-19. 
  40. ^ "Did new style of football contribute to Wilson and Greenwood’s downfall?". Eastbourne Herald. 2012-01-19. http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/sport/eastbourne-borough/did_new_style_of_football_contribute_to_wilson_and_greenwood_s_downfall_1_3437436. Retrieved 2012-01-19. 
  41. ^ "Skipper As Caretaker Manager and Other News". ebfc.co.uk (Eastbourne Borough F.C.). 2012-01-18. http://www.ebfc.co.uk/news/skipper-as-caretaker-manager-a-485810.html. Retrieved 2012-01-19. 
  42. ^ "Eastbourne Borough's Darren Baker targets 900th game". BBC Sport. 2011-04-01. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/eastbourne_borough/9443518.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-26. 

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