Eastbourne Borough manager Danny Bloor has commended the work of chairman Daniel Blackmore and chief executive John Bonar as they prepare to welcome fans back to Priory Lane.

Borough fans have not been able to cheer on their side since March.

However, with the Government announcing that clubs in tier one and two will be able to have fans back, that wait is now over.

The Sports are officially allowed a maximum of 1,002 spectators, as they host National South leaders Dartford this afternoon (3pm).

However, a club official explained that the figure is still being looked at: “The official figure is 1,002. However, club officials are still reviewing that figure.

“For a first pass at this exercise, we feel that spectator safety is paramount. It’s about boots on the ground - or feet on the terraces - rather than a theoretical calculation.

“So, Saturday‘s figure will probably be capped at slightly below 1,000.”

But Bloor has revealed how tirelessly Blackmore and Bonar have worked to ensure that some fans can return.

He said: “What some people will not understand is that, although we have been told we can have a crowd, the amount of work that David and John have put in to make sure we can have fans is incredible.

“On Wednesday, the league did not allow Havant to have fans at their game.

“I think the fans need to be thankful that our club have gone above and beyond to make sure we can get them back into Priory Lane.”

With Sports fans not being able to watch their side, Borough have done numerous things to keep them as involved as possible.

Bloor has done weekly video updates on the clubs website and also spoken to fans over the phone.

Borough have also streamed their games, so supporters do not miss out on watching the action.

Despite the return of fans, it will not feel the same with the regulations that are in place.

However, Bloor is looking forward to having socially distanced conversations with the fans.

He said: “Absolutely we will be doing that and win, lose or draw we will be applauding all of our fans after the game. I think that is what they will be looking forward to.

“Obviously, they have watched us on streams and they might have watched the Blackpool game on TV.

“So, it will be nice for them to actually see us in the flesh as they haven’t seen some of our players in action live.

“Such as Chris Whelpdale, Mitch Dickinson plus Charley Kendall and Kai Woollard Innocent from QPR. So, I can imagine they are looking forward to that.”

Two of those players that fans have not seen in action are Kendall and Woollard Innocent, who are on loan from QPR.

This week they both extended their stay at the club for a further month and Bloor was full of praise for the pair.

He said: “I have managed for a long time and these two are the best loan players I have ever had.

“Not just with their ability on the pitch because over the years we have had a lot of good players.

“But both of them have bought into what a non-league football club is all about both on and off the pitch.

“They have been a credit to Queens Park Rangers football club.

“I’d like to thank Chris Ramsey and QPR for helping us here at Eastbourne Borough. I’d also like to thank Paul Hall, their U23’s manager, who watched us last week.”