Eastbourne Borough boss raises a glass to toast return of the Priory Lane family

Danny Bloor with the Boro fans before lockdown - he says the return to training at Priory Lane, which was watched by a handful of supporters, was a big step forward / Picture: Jon Rigby

We’re back! Eastbourne Borough players have returned to training at Priory Lane for the first time since March – and manager Danny Bloor couldn’t be more delighted about it, writes Borough midfielder James Ferry.

Adhering to guidelines set out by the government, ten players and two coaches, one of whom was first team manager Bloor, took part in an outdoor training session last Saturday.

I asked the boss about his reasoning for hosting the session at Priory Lane.

He said: “A lot of players are desperate to get back playing and doing what they love and that is playing football. I know we still don’t have a start date for the season, but I felt as a club we needed to put on a session.

“We have decided that each Saturday morning we will train with a view to the boys going for a sociable drink in the clubhouse with the fans after, while following the guidelines.

“On a personal note, it was nice going in the bar after for a draught pint on Saturday, the first I’ve had since the Maidstone victory in March.”

Bloor admitted that things had undoubtedly changed on the training field. What used to be normal is now a distant memory.

He said: “You have to sign a form before training, you must regularly wash your hands and keep two metres apart and it is obviously non-contact.

“The days of drinking from random water bottles have gone, you must now bring your own bottle, which is better and more hygienic in my opinion.

“Essentially, it is all about me as the manager, all the way to the players and fans, respecting what we must do now so we can train in some capacity.”

I asked the gaffer about the positive aspects of the club house re-opening. He said: “There were some fans watching the session before the bar opened which was nice to see. It’s great to be back at the club, seeing players and fans and talking all things football again.”