The Club was founded back in July 1995 when our current Chairman (Bill Wheatley) was involved in children's training at Hampden Park Sports Centre. As the sessions were finishing, a couple of the boys suggested getting a match against another team. Trying to do this did not prove as easy as one would have expected with the lack of F.A. affiliation preventing the boys from playing established teams. Consequently, Bill decided to take a group of those same children for a game on Sunday Mornings at the Five Acres field opposite Princes Park.
That first week saw over 20 children arrive and within a few weeks, the numbers attending made it obvious that there was a need to become more organised. Various parents (who had just come along for a doze in the sun) soon found themselves being promoted to the lofty heights of "coach" with all being encouraged to join-in. Pretty soon, numbers had swollen to over 40 and the first steps were taken to form a new Club for the Langney Point area. Our first half a dozen Committee meetings were held with up to 20 people present (nothing to do with them being held at the Eastbourne Fisherman's Club) and the level of support received was unbelievable.
One of the parents was extremely generous and helped with provision of training facilities at Park College where we were fortunate to be able to train right through the winter, inside when necessary. Footballs were purchased cheaply and, courtesy of our very first sponsor, our first royal blue strip was purchased for the Under 7's. By begging, borrowing and stealing (only temporarily) we were able to kit-out another two teams ready for our first couple of friendly matches. By that Christmas, funds were sufficient to hold a small party after training one Sunday, and present each child with a small gift. We ran a "Design the Club Logo" competition which resulted in the splendid design you see above with the motto which will always be our key-phrase; "Enjoyment is the game" During this period the Committee was starting to get to grips with the rapid growth of the Club.
We were extremely fortunate that all the parents who had started coaching back in the Summer were able to carry on and organise friendly matches and mini-tournaments for each age group. Without their continued dedication, the Club would never have attained the status which it enjoys today. Many fund raising activities were organised last year which enabled the continued purchase and manufacture of training equipment, culminating in a Club Tournament for over 300 children. Continued sponsorship from other local companies enabled additional kits to be obtained
The generosity of Tollgate Junior School resulted in the decision to bring the Club back to "The Point". The decision to come away from Park College was not taken lightly but gave the Club a secure future with the scope to expand in years to come. Plans were rapidly formulated to improve changing facilities and secure storage on the site. The Club "came of age" in June 1996 with the holding of its first AGM. This set the first committee, constitution and a finance plan designed to take it into the next few years with clear visions and adequate funds to realize them.
The next season started with the Club entering no less than 7 teams into various leagues, and with a registered membership of, by now, well over 100 children, organised training for all age groups from Under 6's through to Under 11's was possible. Work on the training ground continued with the provision of three changing rooms, a registration caravan, canteen facilities, toilet and storage areas. In its secluded location, the ground has become established with four pitches and additional training areas marked-out.
The Club became affiliated to the Sussex County Football Association with all policies and procedures in place to allow the kids to play the widest range of football possible. Today, the Club enjoys a membership of nearly 300 children, both Boys and Girls. A dedicated band of Coaches and supporters take the kids all over the South East to compete in league and friendly tournaments. We have come a long way in the last four years, but we are constantly striving to make the Club better than ever.
As we go into the next Millennium, Langney Point Football Club has now become affiliated with Eastbourne Borough Senior team and has now taken on the the name EASTBOURNE BOROUGH YOUTH FC. This is an exciting prospect and we hope that you and your children enjoy being a member of this Club, and get involved as much as you are able to do so.
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