Eastbourne Borough chairman Len Smith admits supporters were gobsmacked when he announced Langney Sports' name was changing.

The Dr Martens Eastern Division club have taken the bold step of calling themselves Eastbourne Borough to flag themselves as the senior team of the town.

Smith said: "It's going to take a while for a lot of supporters to get used to the new name but eventually it will grow on them.

"There were a number of upset people but some I have seen since last weekend are beginning to like the new name.

"A lot of teams in our division do not know where Langney is and certainly potential sponsors are unaware that our club is the most senior in Eastbourne."

Supporters club chairman Sid Saunders said: "It took me by surprise but the new name is a good idea.

"We are still the same club and playing at the Langney Sports Club. The only thing that is different is our name."

Town and United, the two clubs from central Eastbourne, have publicly offered no strong opinions on the birth of Borough.

But United boss Micky French is unhappy the Dr Martens club claim to be putting Eastbourne on the football map.

He said: "Eastbourne United were playing senior football and winning trophies way before Langney came of age.

"I still believe there is room for two Southern League sides in Eastbourne."