Eastbourne Borough have appealed for financial aid to help solve cash flow problems.

The National League South side parted company with manager Lee Bradbury today and launched an appeal to "supporters, sponsors and potential new backers" to “Bridge the Borough Gap” - a short-term deficit which has threatened the club's week-to-week finances.

The move comes after a major backer pulled out of investing a significant sum into the club prior to the season starting in August.

Club officials have thrown open an appeal to close a £40,000 shortfall in the next month but stress the long-term future of the club is not in doubt and hope the critical situation will recede by Christmas.

Finances have also been hit by a relatively early FA Cup exit, as well as surviving the whole month of October without a single home game.

Within a lengthy statement, Interim Board Chairman David Blackmore said: “This is the tightest financial situation the club has faced, possibly ever, and certainly since the League’s ill-fated Setanta sponsorship deal a decade ago.

"We are certain that we enjoy widespread goodwill throughout the town. All we need is for supporters and sponsors to turn that goodwill into tangible support. 

“We have a reputation for careful management and steady financial planning.

"But it is no secret that a major investor withdrew his promised financial support for the club, just a few weeks after Lee and his assistant Shaun Gale were appointed and their budget fixed – at a level designed to compete in the top half of the table.

"The Board is as ambitious for success as every supporter, and remains so. But the timing could not have been worse.

"Without the anticipated investment we have battled on, hand to mouth, over the last two or three months.

"But we are hit with the perfect storm: a budgetary black hole, the FA Cup exit and the lack of any home games in October.”

Blackmore continued: “We are this week making savings to the playing and managerial budgets, but the simple reality is that to keep the core of the current playing squad together, we urgently need to build that bridge through to Christmas. December and January are usually good months for the club’s cash flow. Let’s all help to gain the breathing space."

Within the statement, the club is offering options to back the club which include buying shares, donating to bucket collections at home games, sponsoring matches, players, stands or the entire stadium or just encouraging friends to get down to home matches.

CIC Chairman David Blackmore and Football Chairman John Bonar will speak with the playing squad tonight ahead of the team’s home friendly against a London-based Academy side.

They also plan a Q & A to answer any questions or concerns from supporters.