|
Langney Football Club was founded in 1964 and entered the Eastbourne & District Football League, competing in Division 2. Prior to season 1968/69 there was a change of name from Football Club to Sports Club when the club affiliated to the Langney Community Association. At the same time a 2nd team was introduced. At this time the club was playing on local recreation grounds before moving to Prince's Park near the sea-front. At the end of season 1973/74, the club won promotion to the Premier Division of the Eastbourne & Hastings League, and elevation to Intermediate status. The following nine years saw Langney Sports recognised as the most progressive club in the Eastbourne area.
In 1983 the club was elected as a founder member of Division 3 of the Sussex County League and at the same time, moved to it's current headquarters at Priory Lane, now recognised as one of the finest in Sussex: covered all four sides, and boasting an impressive 500 seat stand plus executive boxes. In 1999/00, 2000/01, and 2001/02 Priory Lane was chosen as the venue for the Sussex Senior Cup Final.
In 1986/87 Langney Sports became 3rd Division champions, and completed a treble by winning both the Division 3 League Cup & the Eastbourne Challenge Cup. With promotion to Division 2, Senior Status was achieved and it was no surprise when promotion again followed in 1987/88, this time to Division 1. 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. In 1989/90, they finished 3rd and also collected their first major honours as a senior club: beating Selsey 3-0 to take the Sussex County League Cup. In 1992 Langney also reached the final of the Sussex Senior Cup, losing 0-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion Reserves at the Goldstone Ground.
In the late 1990s, Langney became recognised as a force in the FA Cup, and much feared by Ryman League sides! Season 1997/98 was marked by the club's best ever run, eventually losing 1-2 at then Dr Martens Premier side Sittingbourne in the 3rd Qualifying Round after disposing of Ryman League opposition (Southall, Leatherhead & Dorking) in previous rounds. In 1998/99 the club went one better, reaching the 4th Qualifying Round but unfortunately a 1st Round Round tie against Torquay did not materialise as they went down 0-7 at Worcester City in mid-week (the original Saturday fixture having been postponed). Highlight of the run was a wonderful 4-1 victory over Ryman Premier side Harrow Borough in the 3rd Qualifying Round at Priory Lane.
1999/00 was without doubt the most significant in the club's brief history. Yet another good run in the FA Cup (knocking out Dr Marten's Premier side Havant & Waterlooville before going down 0-1 at Whyteleafe in the 3rd Qualifying Round) was capped by a wonderful League season, winning Division One of the Sussex County League for the first time, and gaining promotion to the Dr. Marten's League (Eastern Division). Langney Sports ended the season with 99 points, scoring 101 goals to just 25 conceded, and lost only one League game all season. The team finished 14 points ahead of second-placed Burgess Hill Town, who had been champions for the previous three seasons. The icing on the cake was winning the Non-League Club Directory Home Counties South award, in recognition of a memorable season, both on and off the pitch.
2000/01 saw the club elevated to the Dr Martens Southern League, competing in the Eastern Division. In a season of consolidation the club finished in a very creditable 9th position, with the highlight of the league campaign arguably a 4-1 home victory over Chelmsford City, who went on to win promotion. The season also saw the club receive a £117,000 grant from the Football Foundation, to go towards further development of Priory Lane.
At the end of the season, the Committee made one of the most crucial decisions in the club’s history: the change the name of the club to Eastbourne Borough FC. Since promotion to the Southern League, it had become increasingly apparent that opposing clubs had little or no idea where Langney was (and often mis-spelt the name of the club). Certainly, very few identified Langney Sports as being part of Eastbourne. In recognition of this, and the desire to both raise the profile of the Town, and increase the potential for sponsorship, the decision to change the name was taken. With so many of the Committee associated with the club since it’s earliest beginnings, sentiment weighed heavily but the decision was ultimately a pragmatic one. However, in recognition of the past, and continued association with the Langney Sports Club; the club badge and colours remained unchanged, as did the ‘Sports’ nickname.
|
