Priory Lane

{{short description|Stadium in Eastbourne, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Use British English|date=February 2023}}

{{Infobox venue | name = Priory Lane | image = Eastbourne Borough Main Stand.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = Main Stand | fullname = The Connect Management Stadium | location = Priory Lane,<br>[[Langney]], [[Eastbourne]],<br>[[East Sussex]], England<br>BN23 7QH | built = 1988 | opened = 1988 | owner = Langney Sports Club | seating_capacity = 4,151<ref name="Facilities">{{cite web | title = Facilities | url = http://www.ebfc.co.uk/facilities | publisher = Eastbourne Borough F.C. | access-date = 1 April 2016 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160106031541/http://ebfc.co.uk/facilities | archive-date = 6 January 2016 }}</ref> | tenants = [[Eastbourne Borough F.C.]] (1983–present)<br>[[Langney Wanderers F.C.]] (2017–2021) | dimensions = 110 × 75 yards }}

'''Priory Lane''' is an [[association football]] [[stadium]] located in [[Langney]], an eastern suburb of [[Eastbourne]], [[East Sussex]], England. It is the home of [[Eastbourne Borough F.C.|Eastbourne Borough]], who play in the [[National League South]]. Eastbourne Borough have used the stadium since moving from the playing fields at [[Princes Park, Eastbourne|Princes Park]] in 1983.<ref name="Borough's rise is the stuff of dreams">{{cite news | title = Borough's rise is the stuff of dreams | url = http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/2268902.boroughs_rise_is_the_stuff_of_dreams/ | publisher = The Argus | work = Steve Hollis | date = 14 May 2008 | access-date = 26 July 2011 }}</ref>

==History== Building commenced in 1983 when the club, having just joined the [[Sussex County Football League]], leased a playing field and built a garage to store equipment. The first competitive match played at Priory Lane was against [[East Preston F.C.|East Preston]] on 15 September 1984, a match which the Sports won 1–0.<ref name="Sports Day">{{cite web |title=Sports Day |first=David |last=Bauckham |url=https://dbauckham.exposure.co/sports-day |date=2015-10-30 |access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref> At this time, the team played on the pitch in front of the modern stadium site.<ref name="The 'original' Priory Lane">{{cite web |title=The 'original' Priory Lane |url=http://www.eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/original_priory_lane.html |publisher=Eastbourne Borough F.C. |access-date=2016-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001052549/http://www.eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/original_priory_lane.html |archive-date=2005-10-01}}</ref> The club has played on the current pitch since 1988.<ref name="Sports Day" />

Over the years, the ground has undergone extensive development, including piping a tunnel and installing its own pumping station for drainage. The Peter Fountain Stand was the first stand to be built in 1989 and was named after the man who supplied the labour.<ref name="Len Smith interview">{{cite web |title=Len Smith interview |url=http://www.langneysports.co.uk/html/len_smith_interview.html |publisher=Langney Sports |work=David Bauckham |date=July 2001 |access-date=2016-03-17 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050314180111/http://www.langneysports.co.uk/html/len_smith_interview.html |archive-date=14 March 2005}}</ref> It was later extended in the early 1990s as Langney Sports progressed through the [[Sussex County League]].

Before the construction of the Mick Green Stand, there was a raised mound where spectators had excellent views of the pitch. The Mick Green Stand was built in 1995 ahead of the 1995–96 season and commemorates former club captain Mick Green, who was killed in a building accident in 1994.<ref name="Len Smith interview" /> The stand contains the players' dressing rooms and a tea bar on the ground floor, with hospitality suites located upstairs.

Construction of the Main Stand began during the 1999–2000 season.<ref name="Eastbourne Borough FC: Description of Ground">{{cite web |title=Eastbourne Borough FC: Description of Ground |url=http://www.nomad-online.co.uk/html/eastbourne_bor.html |first=David |last=Bauckham |website=Nomad Online |access-date=2016-04-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030625223509/http://www.nomad-online.co.uk/html/eastbourne_bor.html |archive-date=2003-06-25}}</ref> Following funding from the [[Football Foundation]] in March 2001 and promotion to the Conference National in 2008, it was expanded to its current capacity.<ref name="Sports Day" />

Part of the stadium complex includes the Langney Sports Club, which is open to non-members on selected matchdays, as well as an indoor [[bowls]] centre, [[archery]] facilities, and [[tennis]] courts.<ref name="Langney Sports Club">{{cite web |title=Langney Sports Club |url=http://www.langneysports.uk/ |access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref>

In 2007, a rent dispute with the local council created concern that [[Eastbourne Borough F.C.|Eastbourne Borough]] could lose the stadium after the council attempted to increase the annual rent from £3,000 to £17,000. The supporters' club responded by collecting over 1,000 signatures in a petition.<ref name="Petition over football club rent">{{cite news | title = Petition over football club rent | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/southern_counties/6247223.stm | publisher = BBC Southern Counties | date = 2007-01-10 | access-date = 2009-04-15}}</ref>

In June 2009, the [[The Football Association|FA]] confirmed that Priory Lane met the requirements for a Grade A stadium, although the capacity was reduced to 4,134. Grade A status required a minimum capacity of 4,000, including at least 500 seats, with expansion to 5,000 spectators and 1,000 seats required by the end of a club's first season in [[Football League Two]].

The record attendance at Priory Lane is 3,770 against [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] in the [[FA Cup]] first round on 5 November 2005.<ref name="Club History">{{cite news | title = Our History | url = http://www.ebfc.co.uk/our-history | publisher = Eastbourne Borough F.C. | access-date = 2016-05-10 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140912135626/http://www.ebfc.co.uk/our-history | archive-date = 12 September 2014}}</ref>

The first live televised match at the stadium took place on 12 October 2008, when Borough hosted [[Stevenage F.C.|Stevenage Borough]] in a league fixture.<ref name="Osborne makes Borough debut in front of TV cameras">{{cite news | title = Osborne makes Borough debut in front of TV cameras | url = http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/3749917.print/ | work = Steve Hollis | publisher = The Argus | date = 2008-10-12 | access-date = 2011-07-26}}</ref>

In March 2016, plans were finalised to install a [[Artificial turf#Association football|3G artificial turf]] pitch in time for the [[2016–17 National League|2016–17 season]].<ref name="Eastbourne Borough's 3G plans become a reality">{{cite news |title=Eastbourne Borough's 3G plans become a reality |url=http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/sport/eastbourne-borough-s-3g-plans-become-a-reality-1-7304280 |work=Eastbourne Herald |date=2016-03-31 |access-date=2016-03-31}}</ref>

In April 2017, Borough reached a ground-sharing agreement with neighbours [[Langney Wanderers F.C.|Langney Wanderers]], who played their home matches at Priory Lane from the [[2017–18 in English football|2017–18 season]].<ref name="Wanderers">{{cite news |title=Sports and Wanderers in Ground Share at The Lane |url=http://www.ebfc.co.uk/news/sports-and-wanderers-in-ground-share-at-the-lane-1789553.html |first=Lee |last=Peskett |publisher=Eastbourne Borough F.C. |date=2017-04-26 |access-date=2017-05-20}}</ref>

In August 2022, Borough reached an agreement with SO Legal Ltd to rename the stadium '''The SO Legal Stadium at Priory Lane'''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome - to the SO Legal Stadium ! |url=https://www.ebfc.co.uk/news/welcome--to-the-so-legal-stadium--2720541.html |website=Eastbourne Borough F.C. |access-date=2022-08-25}}</ref> The agreement initially ran until the end of the 2022–23 season. SO Legal is a law firm based in Eastbourne, with offices in Eastbourne, Brighton, Hastings, Uckfield, London and [[Ulverston]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Solicitors in London, Brighton, East Sussex & Cumbria |url=https://www.solegal.co.uk/ |website=SO Legal |access-date=2022-08-25}}</ref>

==Stands== * '''Main Stand''' – has a seating area for 600 spectators. It includes the Directors' Suite, Main Sponsor's Executive Suite, announcer's box, and press area. There is also a family area and disabled access to this stand. * '''Mick Green Stand''' – houses the dressing rooms and a tea bar with indoor seating, while also providing covered terracing at the Priory Road end of the ground. The upper floor contains four executive suites in addition to the exclusive ''Legends Lounge'', which overlooks the pitch. * '''Peter Fountain Stand''' – a covered terrace that also contains a tea bar. This stand is traditionally occupied by the home supporters. * '''River End Stand''' – a covered terrace with no additional amenities. Away supporters are usually accommodated here on segregated matchdays.

The stadium has parking facilities for approximately 400 vehicles, mainly located behind the River End Stand, with a smaller car park situated in front of the clubhouse.

==Segregation== Borough did not segregate league matches prior to their promotion to the [[Football Conference]]. However, during the [[2008–09 Football Conference|2008–09 season]], following a home match against [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]], segregation was introduced for selected fixtures against larger clubs, with away supporters allocated the River End Stand.<ref name="Borough won't segregate fans despite trouble">{{cite news | title = Borough won't segregate fans despite trouble | url = http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/4092237.Borough_won_t_segregate_fans_despite_trouble/ | publisher = The Argus | date = 2009-02-02 | access-date = 2011-07-26 }}</ref>

==Other uses== In 2006, the stadium was selected by [[The Football Association]] to host all three of England's fixtures in the Non-League Home Nations Tournament.<ref name="England to host Four Nations cup">{{cite news | title = England to host Four Nations cup | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/4790798.stm | work = BBC Sport | publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation | date = 2006-03-09 | access-date = 2011-07-26 }}</ref><ref name="Borough so proud">{{cite news | title = Borough so proud | url = http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6812756.Football__Borough_so_proud/ | publisher = The Argus | date = 2006-05-26 | access-date = 2016-04-01 }}</ref>

The stadium also hosted the final of the [[Sussex Senior Challenge Cup]] between 2000 and 2010.<ref name="Sussex Senior Cup Final Official Programme 2011">{{cite web | title = Sussex Senior Cup Final Official Programme 2011 | url = https://issuu.com/pinnaclegroup/docs/scfa2011 | publisher = Sussex County Football Association | date = 2011-07-16 | access-date = 2016-04-01 | page = 9 }}</ref><ref name="Sussex FA reject the Amex as venue for cup final">{{cite news | title = Sussex FA reject the Amex as venue for cup final | url = http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/8790605.Sussex_FA_reject_The_Amex_as_venue_for_cup_final/ | work = Andy Naylor | publisher = The Argus | date = 2011-01-14 | access-date = 2011-07-26 }}</ref>

==Future developments== Eastbourne Borough released plans to expand Priory Lane in December 2011. The main focus of the proposed redevelopment was the Peter Fountain (North) Stand, which was planned to include executive boxes, new changing rooms and a players' tunnel. The River End (East) Stand was also scheduled to receive 16 tiers of terracing to improve the atmosphere, while the Main (South) Stand was intended to be extended to provide additional seating. Youth-team changing rooms were also proposed behind the stand, facing a new pitch for the club's youth teams.<ref>{{cite news | title = Multi-million development plans for Boro | url = http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/sport/eastbourne-borough/multi_million_development_plans_for_boro_1_3365073 | work = Eastbourne Herald | date = 2011-12-24 | access-date = 2011-12-24 }}</ref>

==Transport== The ground is located over a mile away from [[Pevensey & Westham railway station]], which lies on the [[East Coastway line]] between [[Hastings]] and [[Eastbourne]]. [[Eastbourne railway station]] is around six miles away and has good transport links.<ref name="Football Ground Guide">{{cite web | title = Football Ground Guide | url = http://www.footballgroundguide.com/leagues/conference/conference-south/eastbourne-borough-priory-lane.html#aby-train | access-date = 2016-04-01 }}</ref> Both stations are served by [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]] services.

There are approximately 400 parking spaces at the stadium, while the residential streets near the ground have limited parking availability. A bus service also operates from [[Eastbourne]] town centre to the stadium area.<ref name="Football Ground Guide" />

==Attendances==

The progression of Eastbourne Borough's attendance record at Priory Lane is as follows:

''Updated 5 May 2025.''

{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Date ! Competition ! Opposition ! Attendance ! Ref. |- | 6 May 2002 | [[Sussex Senior Challenge Cup|Sussex Senior Cup]] | [[Lewes F.C.|Lewes]] | 1,558 | <ref name="Sub wins cup for Borough">{{cite news | title = Sub wins cup for Borough | url = http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5132248.Sub_wins_cup_for_Borough/ | publisher = The Argus | date = 2002-05-07 | access-date = 2016-05-10}}</ref><ref name="SSC">{{cite web | title = Sussex Senior Cup Final | url = http://eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/body_sussex_senior_cup_final.html | publisher = Eastbourne Borough F.C. | date = 2002-05-06 | access-date = 2016-05-10 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020609023650/http://eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/body_sussex_senior_cup_final.html | archive-date = 2002-06-09}}</ref> |- | 11 January 2003 | [[FA Trophy]] | [[Farnborough F.C.|Farnborough Town]] | 1,576 | <ref name="FA Trophy">{{cite web | title = Carlsberg FA Trophy, 3rd Round | url = http://www.eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/body_boro_0_farnborough_1_11_1_03.html | publisher = Eastbourne Borough F.C. | date = 2003-01-11 | access-date = 2016-05-10 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030707150029/http://www.eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/body_boro_0_farnborough_1_11_1_03.html | archive-date = 2003-07-07}}</ref><ref name="FA Trophy 2">{{cite web | title = FA Trophy: Borough edged out | url = http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5118420.FA_Trophy__Borough_edged_out/ | publisher = The Argus | date = 2003-01-13 | access-date = 2016-05-10}}</ref> |- | 5 May 2003 | [[Sussex Senior Challenge Cup|Sussex Senior Cup]] | [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]] | 1,705 | <ref name="SSC 2">{{cite web | title = Sussex Senior Cup Final | url = http://www.eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/body_sussex_senior_cup_final_5_5_03.html | publisher = Eastbourne Borough F.C. | date = 2003-05-05 | access-date = 2016-05-10 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030701172131/http://www.eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/body_sussex_senior_cup_final_5_5_03.html | archive-date = 2003-07-01}}</ref> |- | 5 November 2005 | [[FA Cup]] | [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] | 3,770 | <ref name="Club History" /><ref name="Latest News: Wednesday 2 November 2005">{{cite news | title = Latest News: Wednesday 2 November 2005 | url = http://www.eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/latest_news.html | publisher = Eastbourne Borough F.C. | access-date = 2016-05-10 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051106033751/http://www.eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/latest_news.html | archive-date = 2005-11-06}}</ref> |}

The five highest attendances at Priory Lane are:

''Updated 5 May 2025.''

{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Date ! Competition ! Opposition ! Attendance ! Ref. |- | 5 November 2005 | [[FA Cup]] | [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] | 3,770 | <ref name="Club History" /><ref name="Latest News: Wednesday 2 November 2005" /> |- | 20 April 2025 | [[National League South]] | [[Worthing F.C.|Worthing]] | 3,662 | <ref name="Compelling football, tribal combat">{{cite news | title = Compelling football, tribal combat – but Eastbourne Borough and Worthing can't be separated | url = https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/football/compelling-football-tribal-combat-but-eastbourne-borough-and-worthing-cant-be-separated-5091439 | first = Kevin | last = Anderson | newspaper = Eastbourne Herald | date = 2025-04-20 | access-date = 2025-05-05}}</ref> |- | 4 May 2025 | [[National League South]] play-off semi-final | [[Maidstone United F.C.|Maidstone United]] | 3,194 | <ref name="Eastbourne Borough 1 Maidstone United 2 match report">{{cite news | title = Eastbourne Borough 1 Maidstone United 2 match report: Aaron Blair scores 90th-minute winner as 10-man Stones reach National League South play-off final | url = https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/report-eastbourne-v-maidstone-323848/ | first = Craig | last = Tucker | publisher = Kent Online | date = 2025-05-04 | access-date = 2025-05-05}}</ref> |- | 11 August 2009 | [[National League (division)|Conference National]] | [[AFC Wimbledon]] | 3,108 | <ref name="Conference">{{cite news | title = Eastbourne 1–0 AFC Wimbledon | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/8192457.stm | work = BBC Sport | publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation | date = 2009-08-11 | access-date = 2016-05-10}}</ref> |- | 1 January 2008 | [[National League South|Conference South]] | [[Lewes F.C.|Lewes]] | 3,027 | <ref name="Conference South">{{cite news | title = Drury inspires Lewes to derby win | url = http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/1935971.Drury_inspires_Lewes_to_derby_win/ | first = Howard | last = Griggs | newspaper = The Argus | date = 2008-01-01 | access-date = 2016-05-10}}</ref> |}

==References== {{commons category}} {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160327211400/http://ebfc.co.uk/facilities Official Website page about Stadium] *[http://www.footballgroundguide.com/leagues/conference/conference-south/eastbourne-borough-priory-lane.html Football Ground Guide about Stadium]

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[[Category:Eastbourne Borough F.C.]] [[Category:Sport in Eastbourne]] [[Category:Sports venues in East Sussex]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Eastbourne]] [[Category:Football venues in England]] [[Category:Sports venues completed in 1988]]