Although not in a league, and still an amateur team, they competed in the Sussex Senior Cup reaching the final beating Chichester 4–0.

[12] Around the turn of the century, Eastbourne played professional teams such as Woolwich Arsenal,[13] Derby County[14] and West Ham United.

The first season wasn't a success, playing mainly against professional reserve teams in the Football League and were relegated into Division Two.

In 1909 Eastbourne were invited to play in the Challenge International du Nord, a competition for amateur teams in both England and France, reaching the final after beating Le Havre AC 2–0, the final was played in front of 2,000 spectators against RC Roubaix and Eastbourne won 5–0.

[23] The 1950s saw George Duke, a professional coach between 1949 and 1954, and manager Bob Baker, winning the Sussex Senior Cup in 1953, the last time Eastbourne won this competition.

[24] The club recorded their highest attendance on 10 October 1953, when 7,378[25] spectators watched local rivals Hastings United play in the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying round.

1954 saw Scottish born Alex White, a former Chelsea Defender briefly manage the team until the end of the season and George Skinner taking over from June 1954 until 1959, later becoming the chief coach for the Sussex FA and later the national coach for Libya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia.

Skinner left in the summer of 1959 and was replaced by Jock McGuire who lifted the Sussex Intermediate Cup for the first time at the end of the season and was replaced by Don Gold who the previous season was coaching the minors team and played for the Town for years before that.

A game versus Moulsecoomb Rovers in the FA Amateur Cup saw the Town win 13–1,[26] a feat that has yet to be beaten.

Town reached the finals of the 1971–72 Sussex Senior Cup losing 1–0 to Ringmer at the Goldstone Ground.

Joining the Sussex County Football League for the second time in the 1976–77 season,[28] the team was placed in Division 1 and won the title, a year later they reached the Sussex Senior Cup final losing 4–0 to Worthing at the Goldstone Ground, a regular fixture for the cup between 1952 and 1995.

The summer of 2002 saw Yemi Odubade sign for Eastbourne Town having moved from Nigeria and became a prolific goal scorer alongside Gary Brockwell contributed to Town's then record of 97 goals in the league but were runners up at the end of the 2002–03 season by 3 points to Rye & Iden and returned to Division 1.

In the 2009–10 season, the club finished bottom of the table with just 6 wins, however they were reprieved from relegation when Ashford Town went into administration, Folkestone Invicta and Croydon Athletic both being promoted into the Isthmian Premier Division and a knock on effect from Merthyr Tydfil being expelled from the Southern League and liquidating.

The 2015–16 season saw Eastbourne finish in 2nd place in the league and reach the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in 47 years.

The 2016-17 and 2017–18 seasons not only saw Eastbourne Town finish 5th in the table but achieve a successful run in the FA Vase by reaching the 4th round on both occasions, losing to Crowborough Athletic and Windsor.

Although had been knocked out of the League and Sussex Senior Cups, they were still in the FA Vase beating Windsor 7–1 in the second round.

By the end February Town were sitting around 3rd place in the table and reached the finals of the Sussex RUR Cup beating Lancing 2–0.

[38] Finishing his first season in charge 9th in the league with a successful FA Cup and Vase run in a few years.

Originally a cricket ground, Devonshire Park opened its gates in 1874, with Tennis courts added in 1879.

Devonshire Park FC being formed in 1881, played on a grass pitch here the same time the South of England Championships tournament started.

Devonshire Park is still open and is the current venue for the annual Eastbourne International tennis tournament.

Started in 2015, the groups follow the European ultras tradition and were formed by local fans disengaged with modern professional football.

[48] Pier Pressure have strong links with the Whitehawk Ultra's and both groups regularly visit each other's games.

Pier Pressure are often heard at both home and away games, often with drums, big flags and unique chanting.

A youth section was formed during the 2018–19 season, with kids from local schools, who make use of the free entry, join in.

The groups have gained attention for their graphic work for the club (programmes, merchandising and promotional posters) using an eclectic range of visuals relating to Eastbourne including Throbbing Gristle's 20 Jazz Funk Greats, co-author of the Communist Manifesto; Friedrich Engels (whose ashes were scattered in the town) and Aleister Crowley (who edited a Chess column for the local newspaper).

In March 2019 it was noted that Eastbourne Town, along with Peacehaven & Telscombe, were 8th in the top 13 Non-league Sussex clubs with the highest attendance.

The highest ranked of these, Eastbourne Borough, who play in the National League South aren't considered as rivals since they compete at a considerably higher level.

Correct as of 5 October 2024[52] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

Source:[53] Between 1880 and 1942 Eastbourne Town managers were known as Honorable Secretaries,[54] nominated at each Annual General Meeting.