Would you support a preseason tournament between Eastbourne Borough, Eastbourne Town, Eastbourne United and Langney Wanderers?

Author and non-league football fan David Bauckham is calling to reinstate the Eastbourne Charity Cup, which would be contested by Eastbourne Borough, Eastbourne Town, Eastbourne United and Langney Wanderers.

The “100 Guinea Cup” was first played for in 1898 when Eastbourne beat Marlow 3-2 in front of several thousand spectators.

Bauckham, a writer and photographer specialising in amateur and non-league football and it’s history, believes it would be a great for the town’s football fans and also provide a competitive edge for preseason fixtures.

“Let’s reinstate it with a preseason charity tournament,” he said. “It would be a great celebration of Eastbourne football.

“I’m trying to get the idea off the ground at the moment. The matches were historically played at The Saffrons, so would preferably aim for that in the first instance. It would be terrific publicity for Eastbourne as a football town if we could resurrect the original. The town actually has a great football heritage - oldest club in Sussex for starters.

“It just seems crazy that we have a fabulous trophy dating from 1898 sitting in a jewellers vault somewhere. A preseason tournament for charity, involving the town’s four senior clubs would be a great thing. Let’s make it happen!”

Eastbourne Borough are believed to be keen on the idea, while Eastbourne town coach Peter Heritage tweeted, “I think it’s a great idea, would be an ideal preseason tournament with a little more of a competitive edge about it, and of course would be great for all of Eastbourne football clubs supporters who often support each other if their club is away from home.”