Priory Lane: Eastbourne Borough FC

From Eastbourne Borough FC

Not long after forming, the club that would later become Eastbourne Borough moved to Princes Park near the seafront, having previous been playing its matches on some recreation grounds in the town. Princes Park was next door to the football ground of Eastbourne United, The Oval. In 1983 a decision was taken to begin building work on a new stadium that would become Priory Lane. The first competitive match wasn’t played own the new ground until the 15th of September 1984, which was when East Preston turned up and lost 1-0. The ground has undergone several improvements and developments over the years since.

The Peter Fountain Stand was the first that was built at the stadium. That was in 1989 and was named in honour of the person who supplied the labour for its construction. The stand was further extended in the 1990s when Langney Sports, as the club was at the time, made their way through the Sussex County League. The Mick Green Stand was built in 1995, being named after the former club captain who had died in a building accident. The Main Stand was built during the 1999-2000 season, later expanded during the National Conference season of 2008. For a time, it was known as the SO Legal Stadium at Priory Lane.

Stats

Priory Lane Photos

Priory Lane Main Stand

Priory Lane Stadium on Match Day

Priory Lane Seating Plan and Where to Sit

The Main Stand takes centre stage at Priory Lane, housing the likes of the Main Sponsors’ Executive Suite as well as the Director’s Box. The Press Area is also there, as is the Announcer’s Box, whilst the dugouts can be found at the front. The Mick Green Stand is where the dressing rooms are located, in addition to a tea bar. It provides covered terracing at the Priory Road end of the stadium. There is also a second floor with Executive Suites and the Legends Lounge. The Peter Fountain Stand and the covered terracing at the River End complete the stadium.

Eastbourne Borough FC Ticket Prices

How much you will end up paying in order to see Eastbourne Borough play their games will depend on how old you are, what your personal circumstances are and whether or not you choose to buy your tickets in advance. Here is a look at the cost for tickets for the 2023-2024 season to give you some idea of how much you’ll be asked to pay:

• Adults – £18 Matchday / £15 Pre-Matchday
• Concession – £12 Matchday / £10 Pre-Matchday
• Student & Under-12 – £6 Matchday / £5 Pre-Matchday

In terms of concessions, the price is available to people aged 65 and over, NHS workers, those who are registered disabled, anyone serving in the Armed Forces and all serving Emergency Services.

How To Get Eastbourne Borough FC Tickets

Eastbourne Borough isn’t alone in being a club in the lower leagues that is aware of the fact that it is competing against the likes of League One and League Two football, to say nothing of Sky Sports, in order to earn supporters. As a result, the club looks to make things as easy as possible for people to be able to get along and watch them play. The starting point for that is a good website, which is where you’ll need to go in order to be able to get some match tickets. That being said, you can also get them on the turnstile if you wish.

Where to Buy

• Ticket Compare

Getting To Priory Lane

Train – There are two railway stations that you can use in order to access the ground, with Pevensey & Westham being around 20 minutes away on foot. Eastbourne Train Station is probably too far to walk from, but there are buses that run on a regular basis.

Bus – Anyone getting the train to Eastbourne Station will be able to take advantage of the Loop Bus, which runs every 15 minutes or so and runs from the centre of Eastbourne out to Hampden Park. That means that it stops at Priory Lane along the way, so is ideal for those who don’t want to tackle the long walk.

Car – If you’re driving in from the East then you’ll want to take the A259, which runs from Hasting, then take the second exit on the roundabout as you get to Pevensey. From there you’ll go straight on, passing the castle on your left before getting onto the B2191. If you’re coming from the North and the West then the A27 might be what you’re looking for, getting onto the A22 and then the B2104.

By Air – Brighton City Airport is the closest to Eastbourne, but unless you’ve got a private jet you’re unlikely to be taking that route. As a result, you’re more likely to be flying into one of the London airports and then making your way out from there. The closest major airport is probably Gatwick, but any of the ones that serve London will do a job.

Taxi – A taxi that takes you from Eastbourne Railway Station out to Priory Lane is likely to cost in the region of £10, with traffic being the major deciding factor.

Parking Near Priory Lane

Between the large car park at the River End of the ground and the slightly smaller one on Priory Lane, there is enough room for around 400 cars at the stadium. As a result, the club discourages people from parking on the nearby roads where people live and need access at all times.

• See Available Parking Near Priory Lane

Useful Resources

• Parking - Just Park

Pubs and Bars Near Priory Lane

About Eastbourne Borough FC

When a group of friends were too old to continue playing for the youth team at Langney and Friday Street in 1964, they decided that they would form their own team in order to allow them to keep kicking a ball around. As a result, Langney Football Club was born, entering the Eastbourne and District Football League and being placed in the Second Division. The club became affiliated with the Sussex FA a year later, then changed its name to Langney Sports FC ahead of the start of the 1968-1969 campaign, thanks to a further affiliation with Langney Community Association. As the years went by, the team enjoyed numerous promotions and demotions.

One of the promotions saw the side playing in the Eastern Division of the Southern Football League, with the then-Club Chairman, Len Smith, announcing that it would change its name to Eastbourne Borough Football Club. This was done in order to represent the area in which the club was playing its games. As with most clubs that exist in the non-league part of the English Football League pyramid, Eastbourne Borough’s fortunes have been mixed over the years. Part of the biggest change in recent times came in 2023 when Simon Leslie bought the club. It allowed for a renewed period of success for the club and its fans.

Priory Lane History

Not long after forming, the club that would later become Eastbourne Borough moved to Princes Park near the seafront, having previous been playing its matches on some recreation grounds in the town. Princes Park was next door to the football ground of Eastbourne United, The Oval. In 1983 a decision was taken to begin building work on a new stadium that would become Priory Lane. The first competitive match wasn’t played own the new ground until the 15th of September 1984, which was when East Preston turned up and lost 1-0. The ground has undergone several improvements and developments over the years since.

The Peter Fountain Stand was the first that was built at the stadium. That was in 1989 and was named in honour of the person who supplied the labour for its construction. The stand was further extended in the 1990s when Langney Sports, as the club was at the time, made their way through the Sussex County League. The Mick Green Stand was built in 1995, being named after the former club captain who had died in a building accident. The Main Stand was built during the 1999-2000 season, later expanded during the National Conference season of 2008. For a time, it was known as the SO Legal Stadium at Priory Lane.