Eastbourne Borough hope to be playing on a 3G pitch at Priory Lane next season.

Three weeks after the Football Conference gave the green light to play on Fifa two-star 3G pitches from next season, Borough have announced they plan to be one of the first to take advantage.

The scheme will cost them in excess of £350,000 but could generate £100,000 per year from renting out the pitch. The club have declared all monies raised from selling shares will be ring-fenced for capital projects, including a 3G pitch.

Eastbourne Borough board chairman Paul Maynard said: “I am convinced conversion to an all-weather pitch would help our mid-season form.

“Most seasons we start strongly and end brightly but suffer during the winter months playing on a heavy pitch – and this is despite our pitch being one of the best drained in non-league football.

“We recently went to Maidstone United to watch an Academy match on their 3G surface and got to speak to the owners at length about their experience.

“ It is clear from our research that the potential revenue streams available from renting the main pitch out to commercial soccer leagues, to other football clubs and to schools and community organisations are huge.

“The only question for me and the board is whether the pitch will be constructed in this close season or next. This will largely depend on the finances and the expressions of interest we receive from other organisations in the town who would want to use the facility. The early signs are encouraging.”