Eastbourne Borough praise Blackpool FC for waiving expenses for FA Cup trip
12.11.2020
Blackpool were praised by Eastbourne for their ‘phenomenal’ generosity in not charging for their travel expenses, as allowed under normal arrangements, during last Sunday’s FA Cup first round tie.
“Blackpool have stated they are not requesting any expenses for their recent visit to Eastbourne for the FA Cup tie on Sunday,” Eastbourne’s chief executive John Bonar said in a statement.
“Ordinarily the process is that all expenses are added together and deducted from any gate receipts and then any profit split between the two clubs. Their expenses would have been significant and this is a phenomenal gesture for which we are very grateful. We tried our best to look after the players and directors of Blackpool during their short visit and treated them with the utmost respect they deserve, so to be recognised for our efforts with this goodwill gesture comes as a massive boost for everyone. Blackpool played their part in a day that will live long in the memory of everyone involved with the club, both on and off the pitch and we can't thank them enough for their generosity, especially during this difficult time across the country. We wish Blackpool the best in their FA Cup venture and League One campaign this season, and hope we have built a good relationship with the club on and off the pitch moving forward.”
Blackpool fans also helped to raise £2,100 for Eastbourne to make up for the gate money they would have received had the game been played in front of the expected 4000 fans.
Eastbourne management then posted the following on Blackpool’s website:
"On behalf of everyone at Eastbourne Borough FC I would just like to say a huge THANK YOU! The fundraising was brilliant and we will be forever grateful, however our thanks go way beyond that. These forums always split opinion about every club but I can tell you that you support a club that oozes class. Throughout the build up to Sunday’s game, during and after, everybody involved in Blackpool FC, from supporters, club officials, media, management team and players have treated us as a club with the utmost respect both on and off the field. This takes a special kind of class when there is such a big gap between our clubs. Blackpool FC and its supporters will always hold a special place for Eastbourne Borough and we genuinely hope that we will be able to organise a pre-season friendly so that the fans of both our clubs can get together to create the magic again.
Good luck for the rest of the season and thank you again for being Blackpool FC."
Source: Mark Scrafton and Southern League Official Site
