Eastbourne Eagles have been confirmed in the National League for next season – with Martin Dugard as chairman.

They will race in a ten-team third tier, staging a minimum of 13 and maximum of 17 home fixtures.

Eagles’ application to join what is effectively the sport’s development league was, as expected, approved unanimously at the league’s annual meeting yesterday.

Birmingham and Rye House have also entered teams while Buxton, Cradley, Coventry, Kent, King's Lynn, Mildenhall and Stoke remain.

Eagles will host nine league fixtures, with the chance to progress into the Gold Cup if they finish in the top four.

They will also be in the National Trophy, racing Rye House, Kent and Mildenhall home and away.

Eastbourne have a bye in the first round of the National Cup and will face Birmingham home and away in the quarter-finals.

The team-building points limit was set at 36 and Dugard is set to announce more signings, to go alongside Danny Warwick, soon.

Dugard said: “The points limit is good for us. We’ve got a team which fits that.”

Bob Dugard remains as senior Eastbourne promoter while a team manager for next season has yet to be announced.