Eastbourne Borough's interim chairman David Blackmore must have enjoyed a relatively stress free week ahead of a trip to National League South leaders Wealdstone on Saturday.
Before even naming Danny Bloor as their new manager on Monday, Blackmore had also confirmed the immediate cash flow crisis Sports had been experiencing had been overcome following an urgent appeal to fill a £40,000 shortfall.
The National League South side reached out to fans and local businesses at the start of November to help cover the sum which had been caused by a “perfect storm” of events.
Most importantly, they included the loss of a major backer before the season, who had been expected to invest heavily into the Sussex club.
As a result, the Sports announced they had parted company with manager Lee Bradbury to save on his full-time salary with striker Elliott Romain also leaving Priory Lane, pictured.
An early FA Cup exit plus no Saturday home fixtures in October didn't help Borough's cause either, leaving them with no choice but to call for help, which has been forthcoming.
“The reaction has been tremendous from the players, the fans, local businesses, everybody,” Blackmore told The Non-League Paper last Sunday.
“They've really rallied round and you can see from the performances on the field how the payers have reacted to it.
Humbled
“In the local community I've been genuinely humbled by the response. We've had pensioners walk in and pay the difference between their season ticket price and what they would have paid full price at the gate.
“We've had season ticket holders turning up and paying full price. We've had local businesses come in and offer support. We've been inundated with fans buying shares in the club and we've even had local fan groups from other football clubs donate to our Just Giving page.
“The club does so much other work in the community, we always felt they would rally round but it's been genuinely tremendous.
“In essence, the immediate crisis has been overcome. We've paid everybody this week, no one has been delayed. There's still a couple of months to go and we've still go to get more money in and we're hoping for more donations and businesses to support us.
Blackmore has asked Scott Chalmers-Stevens to assist new boss Bloor as a first team coach and Sergio Torres to do the same as a player-assistant manager following his spell as caretaker.
He's hoping the club's ‘three wise men' and successful appeal will see the smiles back on the faces of everyone around Priory Lane by the time the festive fixtures kick off.
“I'm absolutely convinced by the time Christmas comes we'll be back within our means,” added Blackmore.
