Tommy Widdrington (Eastbourne Borough Manager)

WE CAN RIVAL THE BEST, BUT WE JUST DON’T TELL ANYBODY

WE WERE creeping along under the radar here at Eastbourne Borough before you guys at The NLP found my number!

As a football club – supporter, manager, player or whoever – you want to get off the mark and it’s important to do that as quickly as you can.

As much as I believe there shouldn’t be any pressure on anyone at this stage of the season, it’s almost a self-imposed thing. You think, ‘Let’s get off that zero,’ and once you’ve done that you can breathe easier.

On the first day of the season we won 1-0 at Weston-super-Mare and on Tuesday night we beat Tonbridge Angels 2-1.
While we’ve had a good start you won’t get me drawn on the league table – there is a long way to go yet.

I don’t like going into other people’s business but I’d have to concur with the general consensus of the four or five who have, for whatever reasons, been labelled as Skrill South favourites.

The fact is, if you can afford to buy your food at Harrods then you will. As long as each club cuts their cloth accordingly and does it right I’ve got no issue with anyone having a bigger budget than everyone else.

But it’s not always so straight forward. The bloke with the biggest wad in his pocket might be a bad spender, you never know.

Last year was a massive overhaul of our squad. I think the previous manager will admit he kept too many lads around for too long – they became almost friends of the place rather than employees.

This year people will see I’ve stayed loyal to nine or ten of the guys, added one or two lads who are no risk and found a few who have been disappointed by your Wimbledons, Brightons and Crystal Palaces.

If we can keep our main core of players fit and well I think we’ll be a match for anyone in the league.

We want to better last season – which is ultimately means finishing above 12th and getting more than 51 points.

For me, and bearing in mind the general financial constraints of the modern world, that would be a monstrous step forward.

So I’m pleased with the start and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season – but I won’t be answering my phone to The Non-League Paper again if this undoes all our good work.

FARNBOROUGH SITUATION LEAVES US ALL HANGING

FARNBOROUGH’S current situation is well documented – but it’s leaving everyone in suspense.

We’re due to play them this coming Saturday so we’re trying to clarify the situation.

At this level of football clubs have to produce programmes, get matchday sponsorship and organise corporate hospitality etc.

It’s not right for them to say, ‘If they sort their business out at 12pm on the Friday night the game is on’.

I’m not saying what they should do with Farnborough, the rules are the rules. I just think a line needs to be drawn under it as quickly as possible because it impacts others.