Eastbourne United manager Micky French is against a merger with Dr Martens League club Langney Sports.

However, French believes that a union involving the seaside town's Rich City County League division one sides, United and Eastbourne Town, is a more likely scenario, if any merger was to happen.

French said: "A merger with Langney is not going to happen. A merger between Town and United would be the more obvious move with the Oval the prime site for a stadium suitable for Southern League level."

United are currently resisting pressure from their Eastbourne Borough Council landlords to quit their run-down home at the Oval, but United's members have voted against such a move and to stay at the Oval.

French added: "We have been sent a letter by the Eastbourne Sports Council, who are behind us 100 per cent us which is good news."

The United manager has his own views on getting people back through the gates at County League matches.

He said: "Gates are poor and the public is telling us that the County League is not worth the £3 entrance fee. Clubs could make it free entry for kids under 16 and get something back on a cup of tea or on the raffle.

"It is just an idea but we need to get people back and get them watching County League games again. It might get some people who have never been to a game, or have stopped going, and bring them back."

United chairman Peter Snashall is also worried about the apathy and low gates and believes trying to attracts schoolkids from the local community would be a step in the right direction.

Snashall said: "I am quite optimistic things will turn around for the club. We will have to see what arises in the near future and hopefully I will know more next week. We have things in the pipeline."