EASTBOURNE BOROUGH boss Tommy Widdrington knows his side can’t compete with some of the Conference South’s big spenders but that hasn’t stopped him aiming for another season of progression at Priory Lane.
The Sports finished tenth after a late season run of poor form saw them slip away from the play-off places.
The Conference South looks like it’ll be as tough as ever with Hemel Hempstead, St Albans and Wealdstone promoted and Salisbury City coming down. Add those to the likes of Ebbsfleet, Sutton United, Bromley and Havant & Waterlooville and competition for the top five is set to be fierce.
Widdrington has lost some of last season’s squad but has kept the core together and is confident of picking up some more rough diamonds.
“Some of the lads who did well last year and I offered contracts to have opted to look elsewhere,” he told The NLP.
“I respect that but I’ve got to do the best by the football club. Sometimes players think the grass is greener but that’s not always the case.
“The team who won the league last year proved that if you throw enough cash at it, you’ll win it but is that the way to go? It’s short-term success.
“Any success we earn will be down to training ground work and match day performances, not the fact that people are getting their pockets lined.
“When I try and attract players to the club, a lot of them have come out of academies and are feeling down.
“I like to think my track record shows that I’m good at dusting them down, giving them confidence and allowing them to gain experience.
“We finished tenth last season after finishing 17th the season before. If we improve that much again we’ll be looking good. There will be nobody in this league working harder than me or my players.”
Boro have added goalkeeper Lewis Carey from Tonbridge Angels, Sutton United striker Gavin McCallum and fellow forward Richard Pacquette who returns for a second spell at Eastbourne.
“We’ve got 11 signed on currently for next season and I’ve spent wisely so we’ve got room to bring a few more in,” Widdrington added.
“Lewis did ever so well against us last season, especially when at Tonbridge Angels and I’m delighted to have enticed Gavin to join having fought off various other suitors.
“We’ve also got Richard coming back. He’s big, strong and experienced and that was something we were missing last season.
“ Our academy did well and a couple of those lads have pushed their way into my thoughts too. I’m delighted with where we are.”
