Chairman Len Smith insists manager Garry Wilson is not to blame for Eastbourne Borough’s impending relegation as he prepares to offer him a new deal to lead the club in Blue Square Bet south next season.

Borough’s fate will be confirmed tomorrow if they fail to beat Kidderminster or if results elsewhere go against them.

Smith is due to open negotiations with Wilson about continuing in his role next season ahead of the game with Kidderminster with the Borough boss indicating he is keen to extend his reign at Priory Lane into a 13th season.

Smith said: “Obviously Garry has got to take some of the responsibility for where we are this season but there is no way he is to blame for all of it.

“He has worked within a tight budget and has done well to keep us in this division for three seasons.

“I absolve him of most of the blame because the reality is the club and maybe the town are not ready for that level of football. I am still convinced it can be and we have got to work to put that right over the next couple of years and Garry is the best person to help us do that."

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