Danny denied a Christmas date with the Priory Lane faithful

The fans were back at Priory Lane - but now they're barred again on Monday / Picture: Lydia Redman

Sussex moving into tier four has put paid to any plans for crowds at up and coming sporting events in the county - including Borough's game at home to Maidstone on Monday afternoon.

It would have been their second game in front of fans, after a successful first go with a crowd against Dartford at the start of December.

It will be a major disappointment to Sports manager Bloor, who said before this latest news: “This has been the most bizarre year of all our lives with some very dark days - but we at Borough can see it out in a blaze of light.

“We had an excellent autumn, with some great performances as well as the excitement of the FA Cup game against Blackpool. But reuniting with our supporters, when they were finally let back in for the Dartford game a fortnight ago, was best of all. This club is nothing without its fans.”

The explosion of emotion on that afternoon was unbidden and quite unexpected.

It was already the case that full-timers Maidstone – the last visitors to the Lane before the March lockdown – would arrive without their own fans, not permitted to leave Tier Four. Now, it will be empty stands the sides play to.

Bloor also reflected on the team's progress in 2020. He said: “When I look back, we’ve had quite a revolution. I have just four regular starters left from the 16 players I took to Hungerford for my first game in charge, when Coxy’s header sealed a 1-0 win.

“We’ve made some great signings – Whelpdale, Mitchenson, Vaughan, Hammond among others.”

What will the New Year bring? “I cannot lie,” Bloor said. “You look at 40 points as your safety line. Well, we have gathered a 20-point total from just 13 matches. Another 27 games to go, and I still simply want to get to 40 points! This is an open division.”