As the football season draws to a close and trophies are lifted, Daniel Ford finds out more about the long history of the Eastbourne Football Association (EFA)
Eastbourne Borough Women added a third trophy to their season’s haul after winning the Eastbourne FA Chairman’s Cup with a 3-2 win over … Eastbourne Borough Women’s U18 Development team.
The youngsters pushed their senior side all the way but goals from Kellie Larkin, Charlotte Gurr and Abbie Tucker secured the win.
Borough Women (playing in red, top photo) have a chance to secure a historic quadruple when they meet Hailsham Town in the final of the Sussex County Women’s and Girls’ Football League (SCWGFL) Challenge Cup on 17 May.
The EFA Vice-President’s Cup was won by Seaford Town Reserves, who beat Eastbourne Rangers 3-1 thanks to goals from Rob Jones, Beckham Pout and Mark Woodward.
The club have enjoyed a phenomenal season, with the first team crowned champions of Southern Combination League Division One, as well as reaching the final of the League Division One cup final.
However, Seaford Town U18 side were unable to add to the club’s success. Despite fighting back to equal the score after being 2-0 down to Bexhill U18 in the EFA Junior Cup, they fell to an 85th minute winner from the young Pirates.
The prestigious EFA Challenge Cup will be played in mid-May (date to be announced) between Bexhill U23 and either Eastbourne United Association U23 or Eastbourne Town U23. The game will be played at The Oval, United’s ground in Channel View Road.
Rooted in the Victorian era
The historic Eastbourne FA – officially the Eastbourne and District FA – was born back in the 1893–4 season when the now-defunct Eastbourne Swifts triumphed in the Challenge Cup.
The Swifts were one of the seven founder members of the East Sussex League and lifted the cup for the first three years. Subsequent winners were the Post Office FA, Eastbourne Gas Company, Eastbourne Dairies, and Eastbourne Trade and Union, so it is an organisation steeped in the history of the town.
The EFA grew, adding more competitions and, for many years ran local leagues. More than a century later the cup competitions are still an important part of the local football calendar.
What is the Eastbourne Football Association?
EFA committee member Richard Marsh tells us how it started.
“The initial discussions about forming the Association took place in 1892 and is started the following year, 1893. The first season of competitive matches for the EFA was therefore 1893/94.
“This started with just one competition: the Eastbourne & District FA Challenge Cup. It took another 77 years before a second competition was launched: the Junior Cup [this relates to level of football, so for adults]. The trophy for the tournament was donated by the Post Office Social Club.”
Are the EFA cups by invitation only?
“At the moment, entry to all our competitions is by invitation only. The rough geographical boundaries are Newhaven to the west, Hastings to the east, and Uckfield to the north. The eastern and western boundaries are narrower for the men’s competitions.”
The EFA has a long history. Why do you think it is important to keep the history alive?
“It’s important because Eastbourne was the base for both the District FA and League organisations and, at different times, the two were merged. We currently retain the ‘League’ name for use as appropriate.”
Which clubs are involved in the Eastbourne FA?
“Current member clubs are AFC Uckfield Town, Bexhill United, Eastbourne Borough Women / Development, Eastbourne Rangers, Hastings United Women, Eastbourne Town, Eastbourne United Association, Jesters Town, Hailsham Town, Newhaven Women, Parkfield, Pevensey & Westham, Polegate Town, Seaford Town, Sovereign Saints, Welcroft Park Rangers and Willingdon Athletic.
“Active management committee members are Brian Chambers (president), Dave Rogers (chairman), Mark Potter (secretary & fixtures), Richard Marsh (treasurer & registrations), Peter Lindsey (referees), Nick Stevenson, Chris Bates, Brian Baldy, Russell Owen, Alan Brooks, and Andrew Howell (events volunteer).”
What is your personal greatest moment during your involvement in the EFA?
“Too many games to mention, but I was the secretary when, for the most recent time, the FA & League were merged back together – a night that required three, short ten-minute AGMs to do it!”
What are the aims of the EFA?
“Our aim is to continue as we are because membership numbers are largely what we can manage – although we could do with a few more women’s teams. Sadly, I don’t see the Eastbourne League returning.”
The path to victory
Results
EFA Vice-President’s Cup final
Eastbourne Rangers 2-3 Seaford Town Reserves
Semi-finals
Eastbourne Rangers 3-2 Welcroft Park Rangers
Parkfield 0-0 Seaford Town Reserves (Seaford win 3-1 on pens)
First round
Eastbourne Rangers 1-0 Willingdon Athletic
EFA Chairman’s Cup final
Eastbourne Borough Women 3-2 Eastbourne Borough Development
Semi-finals
Eastbourne Borough Girls Development 1–1 Hailsham Town (EB win 7-6 on pens)
Newhaven Women 2-4 Eastbourne Borough Women
First round
Hailsham Town Women 5-0 Seaford Town Women
Newhaven Women 3-1 Hastings United Women
EFA Junior Cup final
Bexhill United U18 3-2 Seaford Town U18
Semi-finals
Bexhill United U18 4-1 Polegate Town Reserves
Seaford Town U18 2-1 AFC Uckfield Town U18
Quarter-finals
Bexhill United U18 6-2 Pevensey & Westham
AFC Uckfield Town U18 6-1 Willingdon Athletic Reserves
Seaford Town U18 6-0 Sovereign Saints Development
Welcroft Park Rangers 1-3 Polegate Town Reserves
First round
Seaford Town U18 3-1 Eastbourne Town U18
EFA Challenge Cup final
TBA mid-May (venue: The Oval)
Bexhill U23 v Eastbourne United Association U23 or Eastbourne Town U23
Semi-finals
Bexhill U23 5-3 Hailsham Town
Eastbourne United Association U23 v Eastbourne Town U23 tba
Quarter-finals
Eastbourne Town U23 9-2 AFC Uckfield Town U23
Eastbourne United Association U23 9-2 Sovereign Saints
Hailsham Town 3-0 Jesters Town
Bexhill United U23 1-0 Polegate Town
:: Main photo: Daniel Ford
:: Daniel Ford is the author of Fish, Chips & Football, a book that covers a season of football in Eastbourne and along the coast. To order: www.chasemysnail.com
