 | ||||
| Full name | Eastbourne Borough Football Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Sports | |||
| Founded | 1965; 61 years ago (1965) (asLangney Sports FC) | |||
| Ground | Priory Lane Langney,Eastbourne | |||
| Capacity | 3,622 (600 seated)[1] | |||
| Chairman | Simon Leslie | |||
| Manager | Tommy Widdrington | |||
| League | National League South | |||
| 2024–25 | National League South, 3rd of 24 | |||
| Website | www.ebfc.co.uk | |||
 Current season | ||||
Eastbourne Borough Football Club is anassociation football club based inEastbourne,East Sussex,England. The team competes in theNational League South, the sixth level of theEnglish football league system.
The club joined theSussex County League in 1983 as a founding member of the new Division Three. Following two successive promotions in 1986–87 and 1987–88 under their then manager, Pete Cherry, they played in Division One until the end of the 20th century. The club then experienced a rise through the divisions underGarry Wilson, gaining promotion to theConference Premier in2007–08.
They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports.[2] Eastbourne Borough play their home matches atPriory Lane inLangney,Eastbourne. The club is an FA Chartered Standard Community club affiliated to theSussex County Football Association and is a registeredCommunity Interest Company.
They were formed in 1964 asLangney F.C., naming themselves after theLangney district ofEastbourne 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.[3]On forming in 1964, Langney FC entered the Eastbourne & District Football League, competing in Division 2. Despite forming in 1964, Langney only affiliated with the Sussex FA in the Summer 1965, which marks its first official season.[4] 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.[2] At this time the club was playing on local recreation grounds before moving toPrinces Park near the seafront, next door toEastbourne United's ground atThe Oval. At the end of the season 1973/74, the club won promotion to the Premier Division of the Eastbourne & Hastings League.[2]
In 1983 the club was elected as a founding member of Division 3 of theSussex County League, minutely overshadowed by FA officials stating that the club was a "parks team" and not taking the club seriously.[2][5] They relocated from the playing fields atPrinces Park to their current home ground at The SO Legal Stadium atPriory Lane, in the heart of the residential area of Langney.
In 1986/87 Langney Sports achieved atreble by claiming the Third Division title, the Division 3 League Cup and the Eastbourne Challenge Cup.[2] The Sports followed this with a second successive promotion the next season to Division 1. In 1992, Langney reached the final of theSussex Senior Challenge Cup, losing 0–1 to the reserve team of Sussex's only professional club,Brighton & Hove Albion.[6] Langney regularly finished in 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 byGarry 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 theSouthern League.[2][7]
After their first season in theSouthern Football League Eastern Division, in which 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.[8] In theirsecond season they finished seventh and secured their firstSussex Senior Cup title in front of a record crowd, beatingLewes after extra-time in the final.[9] Thefollowing season resulted in promotion to thePremier Division with Borough finishing second, losing out on the title on goal difference toDorchester Town.[10] At the end of the season they staged a defence of theirSussex Senior Cup title againstCrawley Town in the final of the competition, losing 6–5 on penalties.[11] Though they only finished 11th in theirfirst season in the Premier Division, as the league system was changed the club were qualified to be one of the founders of the newly formedConference South for the start of the2004–05 season.[12] A further promotion was almost earned immediately as the club finished fifth, and won the Conference South play-offs, beatingCambridge City 3–0.[2][13]However, they were beaten 2–1 byAltrincham (who had won theConference North play-offs) in the play-off final atStoke City'sBritannia Stadium, and remained in the Conference South.[14]
Thenext season they finished in the bottom half of the table in 17th place and in the2006–07 season they just missed out in the play-offs finishing in 7th place.[15] The2007–08 season was one of Eastbourne Borough's most memorable. From the start of the season until 1 January 2008 they were unbeaten at the top of the league, until losing to local rivalsLewes in front of 3,027 fans at Priory Lane.[16] At the end of the season Eastbourne finished 2nd with 80 points while Lewes won with 89 points.
Eastbourne beatBraintree Town 5–0 over twolegs in the play-off semi-finals,[17] before winning promotion to theConference National on 8 May 2008 with a 2–0 win overHampton & Richmond Borough in theConference South Play-off final atBroadhall Way,Stevenage.[18]
At the start of their2008–09 campaign in the Conference they were struggling outside the relegation zone, however after a few loan players were brought in, includingDan Smith andAshley Barnes fromPlymouth Argyle,[19] and the signing ofDan Brown fromCambridge United,[20] Eastbourne managed to stay in the top half of the table after some surprising wins over full-time clubs such asTorquay United andYork City,[21][22] until the last day of the season, losing 0–2 toBarrow.[23] 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 broadcast their match againstStevenage Borough, a match they won 2–1.[2][24]Eastbourne also completed the 2008–09 season by winning theSussex Senior Cup beatingBrighton & Hove Albion Reserves 1–0.[25]
The2009–10 season saw Eastbourne struggle from 'second season syndrome'. After a bright start, beatingA.F.C. Wimbledon and eventual FA Trophy winnersBarrow at Priory Lane,[26][27] 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 winnersOxford United 1–0 on the final day of the season, with a late penalty scored bySimon Weatherstone in the 84th minute.[28]
Eastbourne were relegated back to theConference South in2010–11. Having beaten bothHayes and Yeading andAltrincham 5–0 at home early in the season,[29][30] they found themselves as top scorers in theConference 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 atFleetwood Town courtesy of an audacious free-kick from the half-way line by Matt Smart.[31] Despite regaining some form late in the season, Eastbourne were unable to recover and ended on 39 points, 8 points short of safety.[32] Ironically, Eastbourne beatAltrincham on the final day of the season to sentence them to the drop.[33]
The end of the2010/11 season was marked with the first competitive game ever to be played atBrighton and Hove Albion's newFalmer Stadium, contested between Eastbourne and Brighton & Hove Albion Reserves in theSussex Senior Cup Final. Eastbourne lost the game 2–0 withGary Hart scoring the first goal at the new stadium.[34]
Halfway through the2011–12Conference South season, after a poor run of results, Eastbourne parted company withGarry Wilson and Head Coach Nick Greenwood.[35][36][37] Both had been at the helm for 13 years and had taken the club from relative obscurity to 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.[38]
Eastbourne appointedTommy Widdrington as their new manager on 1 February 2012. With the team lying 18th in theConference South, chairman Len Smith outlined the aim to avoid relegation and rebuild for the 2012–13 season[39]
The Sports secured their safety on the 41st and penultimate matchday, despite losing to a 3–0 scoreline away atBasingstoke Town. Results elsewhere meant theirConference South status was retained for the2012–13 season.[40] They finished the season in 18th place.
Widdrington's arrival signaled a move towards a new look Eastbourne team, with the last few members of the2007–08 promotion winning team leaving the club at the end of the season. Matt Crabb, Matt Smart and Ben Austin departed,[41][42] leaving Darren Baker as the sole survivor of the team that won promotion at Stevenage in 2008.[43]
The2012–13 season was Widdrington's first full-season in charge and was a season of transition. In total 41 players pulled on a Borough shirt as the new manager tried to find the right mixture. Borough ended the season as the team having scored the fewest goals, but having one of the tightest defensive records, which contributed to their finishing the season in 12th place.[44]
In the spring of 2013, Eastbourne were in talks with Kuwaiti European Holdings (KEH) over a potential take over of the club.[45] Despite negotiations collapsing at the latter stages, Borough pressed on with their plans to develop the club, establishing an academy which would act as a feeder to the first team.[46] Following an 18-month rebuilding process, Borough had a strong start to the2013–14 season accumulating 10 points from 4 matches, which earned Tommy Widdrington the August Manager of the Month award.[47] Their early season form, however, faded and they experienced a dip in mid-season which saw them fall away from the top. Despite regaining some momentum after Christmas they were unable to recover and finished the season in 10th place on 58 points.[48]
During the early stages of the2014–15 season, Len Smith, who had served as chairman of the club for more than 40 years,[49][50] stood down from his position with Eastbourne sitting at the top of the fledgling Conference South table after 6 games.[5][51] Halfway through the season, upon the news that the Football Conference would be allowing artificial pitches from the 2015–16 season,[52] Eastbourne announced that they would convert to a 3G pitch by the 2015–16 or 2016–17 season[53] At this point in time, the Football League still refused allowing 3G pitches and Eastbourne was among the first Conference-level clubs to announce plans to switch to the surface.[53] Eastbourne finished the 2014–15 season in 11th place.
2015–16 was Eastbourne's 50th anniversary season. Although they could only secure a 17th-place finish in the league, they won the Sussex Senior Cup for the third time in their history at the end of the season.[54][55]
Widdrington resigned from his post in April 2017 to pursue an opportunity atCoventry City,[56] leaving head coach Hugo Langton in charge for the last 5 games of the season.[57]
At the end of the2016–17 season, Eastbourne appointedBognor Regis Town managerJamie Howell to take over the vacant managerial position, who had two days previously lead Bognor back to the National League South.[58][59]
In Howell's firstfull season at the club, Eastbourne registered an 18th-place finish. The followingseason, Eastbourne started positively and found themselves in the play-off spots with 4 wins, 4 draws and just one defeat after their opening 9 games. However, their form dropped and Howell was sacked by the club on 16 February 2019 with Eastbourne in 15th place in the table.[60]
Eastbourne appointedMark McGhee to act as interim manager until the end season.[61] Despite winning just once in their remaining 11 games – this coming as a shock 6–0 victory against play-off chasing Dartford – Borough managed to retain their National South status for another year.
The start of the2019–20 season sawLee Bradbury take charge for a very brief period until October 2019. In November 2019 Danny Bloor was announced as the new manager.[62] In a season curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Borough finished 18th. Thefollowing season saw Borough flying high in the 3rd place, before the competition was prematurely cancelled for the same reason.
The2021–22 season was Danny Bloor's first full season in charge, despite having been manager for almost two years. Borough continued in the same vein as the previous season, finishing the season in 6th position. They entered the play-off eliminator round but lost toOxford City 2–0. Eastbourne followed this with an 8th-place finish for the2022–23 season, narrowly missing out on the play-off spots.
On 2 June 2023, the club underwent a takeover, being bought by the former owner of travel media companyInk, Simon Leslie.[63] Following the takeover Danny Bloor left his position as manager.[64] A few days laterMark Beard was appointed as the new manager.[65]
Following a poor run of results leading to Eastbourne sitting in 21st, six points into the relegation zone,Mark Beard was sacked on the 1 January 2024.[66]Adam Murray was appointed as new manager a few days later.[67] Eastbourne managed to turn their fortunes around, losing just once in their final 12 games. They secured safety on the penultimate game day of the season and finished in 19th place on 52 points.
During the2024/25 season, under Adam Murray, Eastbourne performed much better, with lengthy time in playoff positions. They managed to achieve the previous season's goal record (53) with 8 games still to play. On the 18 April 2025, Eastbourne broke their record for league home attendance, with 3622 spectators during a 1-1 draw againstWorthing.[68] They finished 3rd at the end of the season, narrowly missing 1st place by 1 point.
At the start of the 2025/26 season, Adam Murray left Eastbourne forKidderminster Harriers, stating familial matters.[69]Matt Gray replaced him, who himself was sacked after failing to win any of his first 10 games. On the 16th of October, he was replaced by former managerTommy Widdrington.[70]
During the 2005/06 season, the club reached the first round of theFA Cup for the first time in the club's history, when a battling performance saw them holdLeague Two clubOxford United to a 1–1 draw at home, winger Ollie Rowland, holding his nerve to score a 90th-minute penalty.[71]
This match gained the club three milestones. These were:
The East-Sussex side failed to win the replay at Oxford'sKassam Stadium on a cold mid-week November night.[74] losing 3–0, the Eastbourne squad put up a very good fight and were extremely unlucky not to score. Ex-Yeovil Town strikerYemi Odubade played particularly well and caused many problems for the defence, so much so that managerBrian 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.[75]
Again the club reached theFA Cup first round in the 2007/08 season and playedConference National sideWeymouth. Borough lost 4 – 0 in front of a crowd of 2,711 supporters.[76] They also lost to the same scoreline in the 2008/09 season away toBarrow in the 1st round replay.[77]
The club reached theFA Cup first round again in the 2016/17 season and playedConference National sideBraintree Town. Eastbourne crashed out of the competition by losing 7–0 to the Essex club.[78]
2020 saw the Sports grace BT Sports for a live FA Cup 1st round match versusBlackpool of League One. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was game played without fans. The Borough lost 3–0.[79]
Eastbourne's club crest was updated in the summer of 2023 to couple with the takeover of the club by Simon Leslie. It brings a modern take on the traditional club badge which dated from the 1970s, and the current version is its third incarnation. It represents aMartello tower, specifically the one at nearby Langney Point, with a cloud passing across it. The club had sought a crest that was identifiable with the local area and the initial choice was between two local landmarks:Langney Priory and the aforementioned Martello tower.[80]
The club's colours have changed over time; originally they were maroon with an amber trim.[81] However, since 1972 the club's colour has been red.[81] Red has been combined with other colours over the years, including white and red,[81][82] however in recent years the predominant combination has been red and black.[81][83] The club have traditionally used various shades of blue for their away strip,[81] but in recent years yellow has been used.
Borough's main shirt sponsors have included 1st Class Windows,[84] Town Flats & Town Property,[85] Hailsham Roadway,[85] Best Demolition[86] and Interlink Express.[87] The Sports will be sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line for the 2023/24 season.
Since 1983, Eastbourne Borough have played their home games at Priory Lane, Langney, which has an official capacity of 3,622.[1] Prior to this they had played on the playing fields atPrinces Park.[5] Many of the facilities on the Priory Lane site, including the clubhouse, were built largely by a handful of volunteers.[49] Just two professionals, a carpet fitter and a plumber, were deployed for the construction of the clubhouse.[49]
In 2006, Priory Lane hosted all three England fixtures of the Non League Four Nations Tournament.[88][89] The ground also hosted theSussex Senior Cup final from 2000 to 2010.[90]
Eastbourne faced the possibility of losing their Priory Lane ground in 2007 due to a rent dispute with the local council. A petition was started to prevent this from occurring.[91]
Between 1983 and 2016, the playing surface at Priory Lane was natural grass. Eastbourne announced that aFieldTurf surface would be installed over the summer of 2016.[92]
In August 2022, Eastbourne Borough FC signed a stadium naming rights deal with SO Legal Ltd. The deal saw the ground's name changed to The SO Legal Stadium at Priory Lane. The deal will run until the end of the 2023/24 season.
Eastbourne's attendances rapidly rose during the club's rise through the divisions. While in2001–02 season they attracted an average crowd of 382, the attendance figures peaked during the2008–09 season at an average of 1,344.[93]
Eastbourne Borough have a Supporter's Club which liaises with the club on behalf of the supporters, arranges match day travel and social events.[94]
Eastbourne Borough have shared a rivalry withHastings,Lewes,Tonbridge,Whitehawk,Worthing andFolkestone in recent years, which developed during the time spent sharing the same division with these clubs. The rivalry with Lewes drew large crowds during the2007–08 season title race.[16][95] They have a lesser rivalry with the other two local clubs;Eastbourne Town andEastbourne United due to not having shared the same league with either of them for a considerable time. Eastbourne Borough previously shared a rivalry withCrawley however this rivalry has also faded over time.
Eastbourne's official mascot is Sammy Sunshine.[96]
Eastbourne Borough has been a FA Chartered Standard Community club since 2002[4][97] and became aCommunity Interest Company (CIC) in July 2008.[98] The club was the first senior football club in the country to have gained CIC status.[4][99][100] A CIC operates as a limited company, yet must fulfill and abide by certain criteria which benefit the community, including an asset lock.[101] Eastbourne Borough is a CIC limited by shares.[100]
Next to football coaching for all ages, the club provides a variety of services for the community, including study support, indoor bowls, archery and social events.[97][102]
Updated 6 February 2026.[103]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
The following players have made appearances or have appeared on the substitutes bench for the first team.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
| Staff | |
|---|---|
 Tommy Widdrington | Manager |
| Hugo Langton | Assistant Manager |
| Robbie Blake | First-Team Coach |
| Andy Little | Goalkeeping Coach |
| David Hudson | Analyst |
| George Hannon | Physiotherapist |
| Ethan Gabriel | Strength & Conditioning Coach |
| Lee Malyon | Kit Manager |
Eastbourne Borough have other teams which include:
Below is a list of Langney Sports (1983–2001) and Eastbourne Borough (2001–Present) managers since 1983.
Stats as of 14 February 2026. League matches only.
| Dates | Name | Achievements | Games | Won | Lost | Drawn | % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From: 1983 To: 1997 | Peter Cherry | Sussex County League Division 3 Champions: 1986/87 Division 2 Champions: 1987/88 | 456 | 242 | 111 | 103 | 53.07 | [3] |
| From: 1997 To: January 1999 | Steve Richardson | 58 | 35 | 16 | 7 | 60.34 | [3] | |
| From: January 1999 To: 8 February 1999 | Nick Greenwood (Caretaker Manager) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | [105] | |
| From: 9 February 1999 To: 17 January 2012 |  Garry Wilson | Sussex County League Division 1 Champions: 1999/00 Southern League Eastern runners-up: 2002/03 Conference South Promotion: 2007/08 | 553 | 237 | 187 | 129 | 42.86 | [72][106] |
| From: 17 January 2012 To: 1 February 2012 | Ben Austin (Caretaker Player-Manager) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00 | [38][109] | |
| From: 1 February 2012 To: 7 April 2017 | Tommy Widdrington | 219 | 76 | 87 | 56 | 34.70 | [39][110] [111] | |
| From: 7 April 2017 To: 3 May 2017 | Hugo Langton (Caretaker Manager) | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40.00 | [57] | |
| From: 3 May 2017 To: 16 February 2019 | Jamie Howell | 73 | 22 | 36 | 15 | 30.14 | [58][59] | |
| From: 19 February 2019 To: 7 May 2019 | Mark McGhee (Caretaker Manager) | 11 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 9.09 | [112] | |
| From: 7 May 2019 To: 22 October 2019 | Lee Bradbury | 13 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 23.08 | ||
| From: 22 October 2019 To: 3 November 2019 |  Sergio Torres(Caretaker Player-Manager) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.00 | ||
| From: 3 November 2019 To: 5 June 2023 | Danny Bloor | 122 | 53 | 42 | 27 | 43.44 | ||
| From: 8 June 2023 To: 1 January 2024 | Mark Beard | 26 | 6 | 15 | 5 | 23.08 | ||
| From: 3 January 2024 To: 4 January 2024 | Bradley Barry (Caretaker Player-Manager) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | ||
| From: 4 January 2024 To: 16 May 2025 | Adam Murray | 66 | 33 | 15 | 18 | 50.00 | ||
| From: 23 May 2025 To: 7 October 2025 | Matt Gray | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0.00 | ||
| From: 7 October 2025 To: 16 October 2025 | Chris Day (Caretaker Manager) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | ||
| From: 16 October 2025 To: present | Tommy Widdrington | 22 | 6 | 14 | 2 | 27.27 |
*Player records list only players who played for the club post-County League (2000–), as the data until this point is insufficient.
Best performances
Achievements before 2001 were under theLangney Sports F.C. name; after 2001, under theEastbourne Borough F.C. name.
League
Cup
