Away Travel: Eastbourne Borough
EASTBOURNE BOROUGH
Saturday 23rd August 2008, Kick-Off: 3pm
Sports Club, Priory Lane, Eastbourne, Sussex, BN23 7QH. Tel: 01323 766265
Directions by Car: Leave the M25 at Junction 5, onto the A21 for around ten miles, following signs for the A26. Continue along the A26, following signs for Lewes, before taking the A22 (s/p Eastbourne). Proceed until the large A27 roundabout, where you should opt for the first exit (s/p Eastbourne, Hastings, Bexhill). At the next roundabout, take the second exit towards Stone Cross and Westham, and then again shortly after, take the first exit towards Stone Cross. Continue until reaching a crossroads with a church to your left and Red Lion pub to the right. Here, turn right onto Friday Street, and at the end, turn left into Hide Hollow (B2191). After passing Eastbourne Crematorium, turn right into Priory Road, and Priory Lane may be found 200 yards further along on the left. (BN23 7QH)
Parking: There is a free 400-space car park at the ground.
The Away Travel Club will be running two coaches to the game, departing Ely at 9.15am and The Trade Recruitment Stadium at 10am. Priced at £16 for Away Travel Club members, £18.50 for non-members and £8 for under 16's and Junior U's.
Train: Your best bet from Eastbourne station is to take a taxi the few miles to the outskirts of the town, a journey of a little over three miles.
Borough's ground is located a little way outside the town centre, in Langley. There is actually a train station rather closer to the ground - Pevensey & Westham - a mile from Priory Lane, though this involves walking next to a fairly busy 'B' road. Change at Eastbourne central for a 10-minute journey to Pevensey, then turn left out of the station and head past the cow fields towards the industrial units. At the roundabout, turn left into Priory Road and a little way down Priory Lane is on the left.
I would suggest, particularly with the bus a slightly awkward option, find a couple of friends and share a taxi from Eastbourne central.
Admission: Adults £12.50, Concessions £8, Under 16's £4.
Programme: £2
Pre-Match Refreshment: There is a clubhouse at the ground, but with a fair number of United fans expected, as ever, this may not be open to away supporters. Otherwise, if you head along Priory Lane back to the main road, turn left into Hide Hollow and then again into Langley Rise, a couple of pubs may be found - the Martello Inn and at the shopping centre, the Kingfisher Tavern. Both can be reached on foot from the ground within twenty minutes.
Should you opt for the train to Pevensey & Westham, you may like to turn right out of the station, entering Westham village, where you will find the Heron pub and a fish & chip shop.
And if you arrive at Eastbourne central station, a fair number of pubs can be spied in the vicinity, with the Gildredge directly opposite. Or, wander along the street on which the Gilredge sits (not due left), where various shops, eateries and a cheeky little public house or two are situated, including a Slug & Lettuce.
The Ground: Borough's ground is a basic affair, but should serve their needs for the Blue Square Premier. The majority is covered, including the away allocation - a small terrace behind a goal. It doesn't extend back awfully far, but should be wide enough to satisfy the supporting needs of the travelling 'U'. A small portion of the 542 seats may also be afforded to United fans.
Local Attractions: Believe it or not, Eastbourne is by the sea. It is traditional for the British to make the most of the few days of summer and wander about on a beach in appropriate dress. Young people will gad about, while the older members of society will either turn to drink or just sit. Some choose to go in the water, but don't be fooled, even when the weather is quite warm, the water will still be freezing, and you'll only regret going in, especially when you get wet sand on your feet, the salt water dries on your back and rubs against your t-shirt while your friends laugh.
If you'd like to go for a wander on the beach though, head along Terminus Road in the centre of Eastbourne, and you will eventually find yourself on the sea front, near to the pier. GCSE and A-Level geographers do look out for the different types of sea defence employed, to impress your teachers on returning to school. I reckon there'll be some groynes; it's a terrible scourge that longshore drift. Beachy Head can also be found further along the coastline - a popular location for looking out across the Channel, and generally having a good think... Who'll score first? Will Wayne Hatswell be wearing one of those long-sleeved skin-tight under things?
Interestingly enough, Michael Fish, former BBC weatherman, was born and raised in Eastbourne, while irrelevant early 00's pop act, Toploader are also from the town. Let's hope there'll be plenty of U's fans dancing in the moonlight on Saturday evening.
Henry Milward
