Eastbourne Borough
A new era begins for the Sports who have been taken over by majority shareholder and entrepreneur, Simon Leslie. Co-founder of a world leading travel media company, Leslie set out a vision to include a data driven approach to aspects of performance and recruitment. Under former boss Danny Bloor, Eastbourne Borough have been playoff contenders over the last two years, successfully qualifying in 2022 where they lost in the eliminator round. Last time out they were just three points from a top seven place. The Sports hit a purple patch in November and December losing just one in ten and they gained momentum during the final stretch. A vital six pointer on the penultimate game against Braintree Town saw the Iron clinch the last playoff place at Eastbourne Borough’s expense.
2022/2023 Season
National South: 8th
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Round
County Cup: 3rd Round
Top League Scorer: Shiloh Remy (13 goals)
Manager – Mark Beard
Football League experience as a player in the nineties, Beard started out at Millwall and went on to play for Sheffield United and Southend United. At the turn of the millennium, he picked up plenty of non-league knowledge and won the F.A Trophy with Stevenage and Isthmian Premier playoffs at AFC Wimbledon. The former midfielder has had managerial roles at Haywards Heath Town, Tooting and Mitcham United and Loxwood as well as various coaching jobs in between. After the takeover at Eastbourne Borough this summer, Beard was chosen as the new Sports boss leaving his coaching post at Dorking Wanderers.
Summer Transfers
Ben Dudzinksi had a short spell with Dartford towards the end of last season, the goalkeeper has moved to Eastbourne Borough. Whilst former Darts, Norman Wabo has left for Weymouth and Kai Innocent for Havant and Waterlooville. New boss, Mark Beard has outlined his intentions with the signing of two National South winners from last season, Alex Finney who was set to join Tonbridge Angels and Jack Paxman have arrived from Ebbsfleet United. Jack Clarke has been enticed from National League playoff finalists Chesterfield. Beard has also looked towards a younger look to the side bringing in bright prospects from Football League clubs. Following the new manager from Dorking Wanderers is Archie Proctor. Billy Vigar joins from Arsenal and Stefan Vukoje from Serbian side Sloboda Uzice.
| Transfers In | Transfers Out |
| Alex Finney (Ebbsfleet United) | Lee Worgan (Welling United) |
| Jack Paxman (Ebbsfleet United) | Mitchell Dickenson (Welling United) |
| Jack Clarke (Chesterfield) | James Vaughan (Welling United) |
| Ben Dudzinski (Dartford) | Greg Luer (Worthing) |
| Decarrey Sheriff (Kettering Town) | Jaden Perez (Farnborough) |
| Daniel Quick (Crystal Palace) | Charlie Walker (Whitehawk) |
| Freddie Carter (Gillingham) | James Hammond (Horsham) |
| Harrison Foulkes (Derby County) | Norman Wabo (Weymouth) |
| Imran Uche (Billericay Town) | Kai Innocent (Havant and Waterlooville) |
| Archie Proctor (Dorking Wanderers) | Jack Burchell (Welling United) |
| Alfie Bridgman (Portsmouth) | Chris Whelpdale (Lewes) |
| Billy Vigar (Arsenal) | Miquel Scarlett |
| Scott Leslie (St Albans City) | Alex Wynter |
| Yaser Kasim (Margate) | Jamie Yila |
| Stefan Vukoje (Sloboda Uzice) | |
| Fletcher Holman (academy) |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 15 / Eastbourne Borough wins: 9 / Draws: 4
Previous Matches
Eastbourne Borough 2 – 1 Dartford (07/04/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Eastbourne Borough (27/09/2022 – National South)
Eastbourne Borough 2 – 7 Dartford (07/05/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Eastbourne Borough (30/08/2021 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Eastbourne Borough (09/02/2021 – National South)
Eastbourne Borough 3 – 1 Dartford (05/12/2020 – National South)
Next Meetings
Eastbourne Borough v Dartford – Tuesday 24th October 2023
Dartford v Eastbourne Borough – Monday 1st April 2024
Statistics
- Eastbourne Borough’s win in April ended a run of three consecutive league victories for the Darts in this fixture
- At home, Dartford have lost just once in the league in their last nine games against the Sports (W7, D1)
- In the last six league trips to Priory Lane the winning side has alternated with Eastbourne Borough triumphant last time out
Match Highlights – 2022/2023
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