Eastbourne Borough F.C. season 2008–09

During the 2008–09 season, Eastbourne Borough are participating in the Conference National. This is the first time the East Sussex side have reached their highest league of non-league football. Eastbourne Borough's home games were all played at Priory Lane. Setanta Sports hosted their first live televised home league game against Stevenage Borough on 12 October 2008.. Eastbourne finished the season 13th in the Table. This article covers a period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009.

Team kit

The team kit for the 2008-09 season is produced by Macron and the shirt sponsors are Hailsham Roadway, for home shirts, and Health Plus for away shirts.

Chronological list of events

• 2008; Eastbourne Borough celebrate 25 years at Priory Lane Stadium. Construction started in 1983.

July

• 2 July 2008; Fixture list for the Conference National 2008–09 season was released today, two days earlier than planned. Eastbourne's first game of the season is home to Rushden & Diamonds. Goalkeeper, Chris Winterton, joins Eastbourne from Brighton & Hove Albion today.

• 16 July 2008; Hailsham Roadway become the main club sponsor for Eastbourne Borough for the 2008-09 season.

August

• 29 August 2008; Eastbourne Borough becomes the first football team to become a Community interest company.

September

• 1 September 2008; Eastbourne Borough sign Icelandic striker Viktor Illugason on a one-month loan from Reading.

• 15 September 2008; Jamaican under-21, Pat Sappleton of Margate joins Eastbourne Borough on a one-month contract.

October

• 6 October 2008; Eastbourne Borough sign Millwall Striker Lyle Taylor on a one-month loan.

• 10 October 2008; Eastbourne Borough sign Brentford defender Karleigh Osborne on a one-month loan,

whilst striker Jean-Michel Sigere goes on a three-month loan to Horsham.

November

• 4 November 2008; Lyle Taylor's one-month loan is extended to another month.

Eastbourne are knocked out of the second round of the Conference League Cup by Ebbsfleet.

• 7 November 2008; Cambridge United midfielder Danny Brown signs to Eastbourne Borough on a one-month loan.

• 18 November 2008; Barrow defeat Eastbourne in the first round of the FA Cup.

• 26 November 2008; Bournemouth striker Jeff Goulding signs on a loan lasting until January 2009.

• 27 November 2008; Eastbourne sign Plymouth Argyle's winger Dan Smith and striker Ashley Barnes on a loan deal until January 2009.

• 29 November 2009; Darren Baker makes his 800th appearance in 16 years for Eastbourne Borough against Burton Albion.

December

• 1 December 2008; Striker, Allan Tait and midfielder, Darren Budd are transfer listed. Tait has transfer listed since November.

• 11 December 2008; Goalkeeper, Chris Winterton joins Worthing on a one-month loan, while midfielder Darren Budd joins Horsham on dual-registration terms.

• 17 December 2008; Eastbourne lose 1–0 to Swindon Supermarine in the FA Trophy.

• 20 December 2008; Striker, Allan Tait joins Basingstoke Town on a one-month loan.

• 30 December 2008: Danny Brown signs a full time contract lasting until the end of the season.

January

• 2 January 2009; Ashley Barnes and Dan Smith have a month extensions to their loans.
• 3 January 2009; Jeff Goulding returns to Bournemouth.
• 10 January 2009; Jean-Michel Sigere returns from his loan spell at Horsham.
• 13 January 2009; Eastbourne broke their current record of most goals scored in a match with a 11 - 1 win over Crowborough.
• 23 January 2009; Jean-Michel Sigere has his contract terminated and leaves Eastbourne for Farnborough . Goalkeeper Chris Winterton is also released and signed to Sussex rivals Lewes .
• 25 January 2009; Allan Tait's loan at Basingstoke Town has been extended until 20 March .
• 28 January 2009; Dan Smith's loan is extended by another month .
• 29 January 2009; Goalkeeper Michael Jordan transfers from Lewes , and Brighton & Hove Albion striker Sam Gargan signs a 1 month loan .

• 30 January 2009; Mo Harkin is released from Eastbourne and joins Farnborough .

• 31 January 2009; Jacob Mingle joins Eastbourne from Horsham for and undisclosed fee, Evan Archibald also returns to Eastbourne .

February

• 9 February 2009; Manager Garry Wilson celebrates 10 years as manager .

• 11 February 2009; Xanu quits Eastbourne for Sligo Rovers .

• 27 February 2009 Sam Gargan was recalled by Brighton & Hove Albion .

• 28 February 2009 Dan Smith returns back to Plymouth Argyle .

March

• 2 March 2009; West Ham striker Jack Jeffery joins Eastbourne on loan until the end of the season .

• 12 March 2009; Sam Gargan returns to Eastbourne for another loan spell from Brighton & Hove Albion .

April

• 2 April 2009; Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Sam Gargan is injured and can no longer play for the rest of the season .
• 24 April 2009; Garry Wilson becomes the third longest serving manager in Englands top 5 leagues.
• 26 April 2009; Eastbourne complete their first season in the Conference National in 13th place.

May

• 4 May 2009; Eastbourne win the Sussex Senior Cup for the second time .

• 8 May 2009; Lee Hook, Jay Lovett, Allan Tait, Pat Harding and Jacob Mingle are all released from the club, Jack Jeffery returns back to West Ham.

• 14 May 2009; Danny Knowles and Liam Marum are signed from relegated Woking. Also Dan Brown signed a new two year contract.

• 15 May 2009; Dan Smith is released from Plymouth Argyle and signs for Eastbourne.

• 22 May 2009; England Schoolboy International, Simon Johnson, signs to Eastbourne after playing for the under-18 squad.

• 27 May 2009; Gary Elphick joins Eastbourne from Havant & Waterlooville, a few hours later, Crawley midfielder Simon Weatherstone transfered to Eastbourne.

June

• 11 June 2009; Simon Wormull leaves Eastbourne by mutual consent.

Match fixtures & results

Legend

All friendly matches and first team games in Conference National, FA Cup, FA Trophy and Setanta Shield are listed below. Reserve matches are not included. Fixtures listed are subject to change during the season

Friendlies

Conference National

For information on this season's Conference National, see Conference National 2008-09. Eastbourne Borough's home games are played at Priory Lane

Results summary

Results by round

FA Cup

This season was Eastbourne Borough's 19th FA Cup run and the 3rd time they have played in the 1st round of the competition. This season was the second time when the 1st round ended with a replay.

''For information on this season's FA Cup, see FA Cup 2008-09

FA Trophy

This season was Eastbourne Borough's 9th run of the FA Trophy.

''For information on this season's FA Trophy, see FA Trophy 2008-09

Setanta Shield

''For information on this season's Setanta Shield, see Conference League Cup 2008-09

Sussex Senior Cup

''For information on the Sussex Senior Cup, see Sussex Senior Challenge Cup

Player details

''As of 27 April 2009. (Does not include Sussex Senior Cup matches)

Transfers

In

Out

Loans in

Loans out

See also

• 2008–09 in English football
• Football Conference 2008–09

External links

• Eastbourne Borough Website
• Eastbourne Borough statistics - ESPNsoccernet