The club was founded in 1881 as Devonshire Park FC, named after its first ground. It can thus claim to be the oldest senior football club in Sussex. In 1886 the club moved to the newly-opened Saffrons, and in 1889 changed its name to Eastbourne FC. Between 1890 and 1903 Eastbourne reached the Sussex Senior Cup Final ten times, winning the trophy on seven occasions.

Eastbourne joined the Southern Amateur League in 1907 where they remained until 1946, adding a further three Sussex Senior Cup wins during this period. The club moved upwards into the Corinthian League in 1946/47, which was subsequently merged into the Athenian League in 1963. The club won the Senior Cup for the last time in 1952/53, with the ground record of 7,378 being set in 1953 in the FA Cup against Hastings United.

In 1971, the suffix “Town” was added to the Club’s name, but the newly-named club came close to amalgamating with rivals Eastbourne United in 1975/76. The Club took the decision to join the Sussex County League the following season, and carried off the League championship at the first attempt. The club finished third in 1984/85, and again the following season.

At the end of the 2000/01 season, Eastbourne Town were relegated to Division Two, after 25 seasons in the top division. However, after narrowly missing out on promotion in 2001/02, they made no mistake in 2002/03 to return to their rightful place in Division One of the County League, finishing as runners-up to Rye & Iden United. The club also had the satisfaction of being the best-supported in the entire County League at home.

Attendances surprisingly fell in 2003/04, although only Three Bridges had a better average gate in the entire League. The slightly lower gates perhaps refected the loss of local derbies against Eastbourne United and to a lesser extent, Shinewater Association. However, the team once again performed well on the pitch, and were title contenders up until the last few weeks of the season, when they faded to ultimately finish fifth.

2004/05 was ultimately something of a disappointment, and had much to do with the departure of goal machine Yemi Odubade to Yeovil Town (later to return to Eastbourne Borough and later Oxford United). The season also saw the departure of manager Dave Winterton, who was replaced by former Borough Reserve coach Ady Colwell. The arrival of Colwell saw a general upturn in fortunes on the pitch as he led Town to a mid-table position.

The revival under Colwell continued during 2005/06 as Town finished 5th in Division One for the second time in three seasons. The Club stated its aim of Isthmian League football and, with Colwell putting together a strong squad began 2006/07 as the favourites of many pundits for the County League title. That optimism proved well-founded although the championship race went right down to the wire with Town finishing a point ahead of runners-up Whitehawk, who were themselves 11 points clear of third-placed Arundel. With The Saffrons getting the tumbs-up from the Isthmian League ground inspectors, promotion was confirmed.

Description of ground
The Saffrons, immaculate home to Eastbourne Town FC since 1886, has undergone considerable improvements in recent years. It can now justifiably claim to be one of the most charming in the County and is well worth a visit, being easily accessible by rail. However, it wasn’t always this way, particularly after the 1987 October Hurricane, during which the ground lost the roof from the stand behind the far goal. This stand had replaced an earlier wooden structure, destroyed by fire in 1969.

In 1994 the roof was replaced along with other restorative work, and new stand was renamed in memory Club stalwart Sid Myall and former manager/coach Taffy Jones. Floodlights were also added in the late 1990s. A tea bar, new dressing rooms and a Clubhouse have since been added behind the stand. There is also a brightly painted tea hut (erected by Old Town Boys Youth FC). Perhaps it should have been painted in the OTBs colours of yellow and green, rather than Town’s yellow and blue!

At the opposite (near) end of the ground is a smart terraced area and during the football season a movable fence is in place along the far touchline to enclose what was previously a three-sided ground (cricket is played at the Saffrons during the summer months). With the cricket square due to be relocated further away from the football pitch, this will at last faciliate the laying of the hard standing along that touchline and enable the playing area to be permanently enclosed.

The near touchline is terraced, and the old concrete dugout structure that once stood on the half-way line was demolished during the 2006 close season, with smart new (and rather capacious) replacements erected opposite, where in fact earlier wooden dugouts originally stood. Nearest to the main turnstile, is a further covered area, currently with a combination of chairs and benches. In February 2004, fire (arson) gutted the historic turnstile block, built in 1914 but by the start of the following season, this had been restored to its former glory.

At the end of June 2006 the Club announced a £21,000 Football Stadia grant and this has partly been used to fund the installation of 150 new blue seats in the Taffy Jones/Sid Myall stand, on either side of the rather quaint and endearing park benches that have survived in the middle. Closer examination reveals these to be inscribed as a memorial to past club stalwarts, and is a lovely touch (there are further memorial tree planted - not all necessarily directly football related behind the goal at the other end). Further plans include the renewal of turnstiles and emergency lighting.

Car parking can be a problem, and is currently limited to the surrounding streets. However, there are plans for car parking facilities inside the ground.

Directions
Follow the A22 to Polegate bypass, and then towards the town centre via Willingdon. Do not join the bypass, carry straight on (signposted Lewes/Brighton), and then across lights (Harvester Restaurant on left). If approaching from the A27 turn right at this junction.

At large roundabout on outskirts of town, bear right (A259 Seaford, Lewes), and proceed across lights at junction towards Town Centre (note speed cameras).

Note that although the official club address is Compton Place Road, the main turnstiles are in Meads Road. At railway station roundabout, take the 2nd exit into Grove Road (one-way). Carry on past the police station on your right and at the junction proceed forwards into Meads Road. You will see the main turnstiles on your right, just past Caffyns showroom. Parking in Eastbourne on Saturdays is extremely difficult: be prepared to have to park some way from the ground although you may find a space in either Saffrons Road or Compton Place Road.

Nearest railway station: Eastbourne (five minutes walk).

Map (link to www.streetmap.co.uk)