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Eastbourne Borough part company with their manager as club appeals for investment

It has been confirmed today that Eastbourne Borough have parted company with their first team manager Lee Bradbury after just five months in charge.

He left Havant & Waterlooville back in April 2019, then agree to become the new Sports’ boss, impressing supporters on social media, but with the club 16th in the National League South table, his time has come to an end.

EASTBOURNE BOROUGH’S CLUB STATEMENT:

On a seismic day at Priory Lane – a place not known for drama or sudden surprises – the club has today announced a financial appeal and a major re-structuring both on and off the field.

The Sports boss has been released on what club officials describe as “entirely amicable terms”. The directors and football committee would like to place on record their thanks to Lee for all that he has done in his short time at the club and also for his professionalism at this difficult time for the club.

The departing boss said: “I would like to start by thanking everyone associated with Eastbourne Borough football club for the way they have treated me since day one of me joining this fantastic community club.

“I would like to put on record that I am disappointed that things didn’t come to fruition but the clarity the club have shown me over recent weeks has been great and I really hope the club finds the investor it needs to get out of financial trouble and become successful as it has so much potential.

” I part company with a heavy heart but also know it’s best for both parties. All the best for the future. Come on you Sports!”

At the same time, the football club has launched an open invitation to existing supporters and sponsors, and potential new backers, to “Bridge the Borough Gap” – a short-term deficit which has threatened Borough’s week-to-week finances ever since the loss, just before the new season opened in August, of a major backer who had been expected to invest a significant sum in the club and its infrastructure.

Club officials – in a hard-hitting statement – have thrown open an appeal to close a £40,000 shortfall in the next month. Finances have also been hit by a relatively early FA Cup exit, as well as surviving the whole month of October without a single home game.

Although Bradbury’s squad have pulled up no trees, sitting below half-way in National South, the club insist there are no complaints on Bradbury’s management or commitment. But the Portsmouth-based manager, who arrived in the summer, has agreed a settlement which cancels his contract – and saves at least one salary.

CIC Chairman David Blackmore and Football Chairman John Bonar will personally speak with the playing squad on Tuesday evening (22nd) ahead of the team’s home friendly against a London-based Academy side. At this point there is no indication of departures on the playing side.

Bradbury’s assistant Shaun Gale will also relinquish first team duties with immediate effect. The club however are pleased to confirm that Shaun will continue to lead the community projects that he has started to implement for the club.

Team affairs will be overseen by other coaches within the club, with popular skipper Sergio Torres expected to take on some of the management duties. Meanwhile the Borough will be exploring options for a new manager over the coming days.

They also urge fans to consider any or all of these options:

> The purchase of shares. The Club has approximately 800,000 £1 shares available for purchase and on which 35% tax relief can be claimed.

> Donations through bucket collections at future home games

> Sponsoring matches, players, stands or indeed the entire stadium

> Getting your friends down to Priory Lane more regularly, taking advantage of new ticket deals on offer or bringing the family down for Sunday lunch in our excellent Full Thyme restaurant.

> Six-month or twelve-month loans, interest-free and with guaranteed repayment.

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