Watts Blow for Boro

....Vanarama National League South club Eastbourne Borough.

The cultured centre-back has been dogged by injuries for the past two seasons, sometimes playing through the pain as he worked to shrug off persistent knee and ankle problems.

Now 27-year-old Watts has decided he must replace a two-steps-forwards-one-step-back approach with a spell of complete rest from the game.

It is sure to be a wrench for the ex-Fulham defender, but in the medium term, at least, it is a wise policy.

"Adam must put his body and health before his football for a while," said Boro manager Tommy Widdrington. "He has thought long and hard and has been honest to himself and to the football club. At his best, Adam is as fine a player as any defender in this division, and he has served the club superbly in his time here. Just as important, he is a top young man of character and integrity, and is greatly respected at Borough and beyond. We will stay in contact with each other."

Watts will indeed be staying touch with the game and with Boro, and he will make a point of driving down from his North Kent home - a journey he has made many times in the past three years - to be at the next home game, against Oxford City on Saturday (December 5th), when his many friends at Priory Lane will have a chance to catch up with him.