Sergio Torres open-minded about the Eastbourne Borough job

The injured midfielder was in caretaker charge as they ended a turbulent week by drawing 1-1 Hemel Hempstead in Vanarama National League south.

Torres praised the efforts of the team in their first league match since boss Lee Bradbury left the club.

Borough have revealed cashflow problems after a major backer pulled out and are appealing for help to see them through until Christmas.

Torres could be a contender to succeed Bradbury although he would prefer a player-coaching role.

He was delighted with the point secured by Greg Luer’s equaliser.

Torres, the popular former Crawley and Whitehawk midfielder, told The Argus: “It was amazing really, considering what had happened last week.

“It was strange because they are my mates and team-mates and all of a sudden I am their coach. But the boys reacted so well.

“Before the game, I spoke to them and I said that, after everything we had been through, I wanted them to just be honest with each other.

“I told them, ‘Don’t do it for me, do it for yourselves and your families. Put in a performance and come off the pitch thinking you gave everything’.

“I told them that, if they deep down they had done that, they could relax.

“I told them to relax on the ball and play some good football.”

Have to say I big Thank you to all my teammates for yesterday attitude and performance, we had a difficult week at @EBFCTheSports and was a big challenge for me to take the team as a player-coach for first time! Great point against a strong Hemel side! ⚽️❤️ pic.twitter.com/21ukFWc8Uu

— Sergio Torres (@Sergio_Torres08) October 27, 2019

Elliot Romain left the club last week but Torres said he did not expect many more, if any, departures.

He added players had been told they would be paid at the end of the month.

Albion have had three managers in less than a year. Mark McGhee took over on an interim basis from Jamie Howell during the 2018-19 season with Bradbury then appointed in the summer.

Asked whether he would be keen to give it a go, Torres said: “Maybe I would consider it. I’m not sure.

“I haven’t really thought about it. I haven’t ruled it out.

“I want to keep playing but I’m getting old. A player-coaching role would be ideal for me.”

Liam Nash put Hemel ahead soon after the break but Borough responded well.

Luer levelled on the hour and both he and Charlie Walker went close to winning it in the closing stages.

Borough are at home to Weymouth tomorrow.