Post by kevinanderson on Nov 13, 2015 12:34:45 GMT
Fifty Years of Football! All this season, Eastbourne Borough FC is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its grass-roots beginnings in 1965. And this week on Friday (13th) the club wants all the old friends to drop in and all the memories to flood back. From 7.30pm, until goodness knows when, it will be open house at the Priory Lane clubhouse – and absolutely anyone with past connections will be welcomed to renew the friendships, browse the memorabilia and re-live the action.
Langney Sports has always been for long stayers. Since moving up from those youth days into senior football, the club has had only four managers. The affable Pete Cherry, followed by Steve “Rico” Richardson, established the Sports in the Sussex County League. Rico then handed over in 1999 to the legendary reign of Garry Wilson, who – with assistant Nick Greenwood – took Borough to the highest level of semi-pro football, the Conference National. And, of course, we have no plans to let Tommy go anywhere soon…
Behind the scenes, so many of the people involved in those early years are still around: Len Smith, Melvyn Buller Key, Bob Coleman, Mick Syndercombe, Mick Grimer and many others. The embarrassing 70s haircuts are now replaced by wispy grey, and the nippy wingers have become more stately spectators. But the genial enthusiasm, the roll-your-sleeves-up ethic and the values of friendship and sportsmanship are unchanged.
Over the years, the number of players, coaches, officials and supporters – and the ghosts of those past, some of them poignantly no longer with us – could fill the club’s impressive Priory Lane ground, never mind the clubhouse. Were you a player, a youth player, the mum of a player, or even someone who played against the Sports? (Did you score past Delly, or dare to tackle Mick Green RIP? Were you a coach, a supporter? Have you stewarded, sold draw tickets, helped paint the stand? Were you there at the glorious Goldstone for the first Senior Cup Final, or at Barrow for a battering? Did you watch Ashley Barnes destroy Torquay United (or watch him miss the pen at Swindon Supermarine when Borough went submarine?). Did you hold your breath with the whole ground when Ollie had to re-take the Oxford penalty?
Then Friday night is for you.
It’s not just a footballing family at Priory Lane, but an extended family. The evening’s event will be relaxed and free of formality – although the legend who is former Herald sports editor Ken McEwan is rumoured to be planning a little speech of reminiscence – and absolutely anyone who wants to drop in, can do just that. Food and drink are available, and no tickets are required. Just bring your memories…
Langney Sports has always been for long stayers. Since moving up from those youth days into senior football, the club has had only four managers. The affable Pete Cherry, followed by Steve “Rico” Richardson, established the Sports in the Sussex County League. Rico then handed over in 1999 to the legendary reign of Garry Wilson, who – with assistant Nick Greenwood – took Borough to the highest level of semi-pro football, the Conference National. And, of course, we have no plans to let Tommy go anywhere soon…
Behind the scenes, so many of the people involved in those early years are still around: Len Smith, Melvyn Buller Key, Bob Coleman, Mick Syndercombe, Mick Grimer and many others. The embarrassing 70s haircuts are now replaced by wispy grey, and the nippy wingers have become more stately spectators. But the genial enthusiasm, the roll-your-sleeves-up ethic and the values of friendship and sportsmanship are unchanged.
Over the years, the number of players, coaches, officials and supporters – and the ghosts of those past, some of them poignantly no longer with us – could fill the club’s impressive Priory Lane ground, never mind the clubhouse. Were you a player, a youth player, the mum of a player, or even someone who played against the Sports? (Did you score past Delly, or dare to tackle Mick Green RIP? Were you a coach, a supporter? Have you stewarded, sold draw tickets, helped paint the stand? Were you there at the glorious Goldstone for the first Senior Cup Final, or at Barrow for a battering? Did you watch Ashley Barnes destroy Torquay United (or watch him miss the pen at Swindon Supermarine when Borough went submarine?). Did you hold your breath with the whole ground when Ollie had to re-take the Oxford penalty?
Then Friday night is for you.
It’s not just a footballing family at Priory Lane, but an extended family. The evening’s event will be relaxed and free of formality – although the legend who is former Herald sports editor Ken McEwan is rumoured to be planning a little speech of reminiscence – and absolutely anyone who wants to drop in, can do just that. Food and drink are available, and no tickets are required. Just bring your memories…