Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Although it has been mistaken in the past for a sandcastle, and even a Fez, the the Eastbourne Borough FC club crest in fact represents a Martello Tower; one of a large number of coastline fortifications along the South Coast, dating from the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th Century.
Although Langney Football Club was founded in 1964, and became Langney Sports FC four years later, the club crest actually dates from the late 1970s, albeit not in it’s present format. On deciding to create a recognisable crest for the Club, the Football Committee (the majority of whom are still present today) wished to adopt an image that was clearly identifiable with the then relatively undeveloped local area. At that time there were two options: the Priory, and the Martello Tower at nearby Langney Point.
The latter was chosen, mainly because it was easier to draw! The idea for the original crest (see below, left) was inspired by that of Nottingham Forest FC; with the three wavy lines underneath taken from the logo of East Sussex County Council.
About the time the new indoor bowls hall opened at the Club’s evolving Priory Lane headquarters in the early 1990s, it was decided that the crest required updating, and was passed to a local graphic design artist. The result was a more stylised version of the original, with a representation of a cloud passing across the front of the Tower. It should also be said that the image has always owed more in appearance to the well-known Wish Tower on Eastbourne seafront, than the Tower at Langney Point.
In May 2001, the Club changed it’s name to Eastbourne Borough Football Club, in a bid to attract more commercial interest, following elevation from the Sussex County to the (Dr Martens) Southern League the previous year. However, in recognition of the past, and continued association with the Langney Sports Club, the club crest and colours were retained.
Thanks to Dave Bauckham, Website Manager at Eastbourne Borough FC, for the above crests and information.
<< Daventry United F.C. - Football Crests of England - Ebbsfleet United F.C. >>