Eastbourne boss appoints new coach - and explains why Borough are being nosey

The Sports manager was speaking after appointing Darren Teague as first-team coach – and he said he was heartened by the strength of the group who would be assisting him for the coming campaign.

It comes after we reported last week that Borough favourite Dean Cox would be a player-coach for the new season after signing a new Eastbourne deal.

‘Proper’ pre-season training starts for the Borough squad next Tuesday and they’ll train twice a week, with a host of friendlies, mostly Saturday games, now lined up.

Teague, who has been helping with coaching and fitness work at the club over the past year, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

Bloor said: “Teaguey has been around the club and is a good friend of mine.

“He has fantastic experience at a number of professional clubs. He worked in the academy at Brighton and Hove Albion a number of years back and has worked at other pro clubs as well.

“He’s a good bloke and the players have respect for him. He runs his own fitness business and will do important work for us on that side of things.”

Teague is effectively a replacement on the coaching side for Scott Chalmers-Stevens, who has moved on, while the likes of Cox, Sergio Torres, Ben Austin, Garry Wilson and others will also have key roles.

Bloor said he was looking forward to the formal pre-season sessions although had enjoyed the six ‘fun’ sessions held, one of which attracted 28 players.

The friendlies begin on Saturday, August 22, with a home clash with Kent side Rusthall. Then Borough make the short trip to face Isthmian south-east side Whitehawk a week later.

Two National premier side host Bloor’s men in September – Sutton on Tuesday 8 and Eastleigh on Saturday 19.

In between, EBFC entertain Potter Bar on Saturday 12. The Volenti Academy visit Priory Lane on September 26, a week before an FA Cup tie kicks off the season proper.

Why Borough are being nosey

Danny Bloor admits he and his staff are happy to be ‘nosey’ as they keep a close eye on who other teams are signing.

And it’s not just their National South rivals that are interesting Sports staff – they are running the rule over recruitment at just about every club from League Two Crawley to their three SCFL neighbours in Eastbourne: Town, United and Langney.

Graham Wright is EBFC’s head of recruitment, scouting and analysis and Bloor said Wright played an increasingly important part in making sure Eastbourne Borough were fully up to date with which players might become available, and who was moving elsewhere.

Bloor said: “We keep apace of everything and we are nosey. It is vital that we know about players at all levels of the game. Clubs from League Two to the SCFL could have players who, if available, would be of interest to us.

“You want to be open to having a look at young players, getting in trialists and giving them a chance.

“I have agents contacting me daily and we get messages and video clips. It’s about finding the player or players who can improve the squad.”