Brighton 'Til I Die



Theatre Royal, Brighton - Wed 27th July 2011:

I went to see ‘Brighton Til I Die’ at the Theatre Royal in Brighton. Tony Bloom and Martin Perry were there along with a few other familiar Withdean faces (hello Tim, Merv, Penny and Chris) plus a packed house of Albion fans. We were sat behind Albion’s poet in residence John Baine (aka Attila The Stockbroker) and the voice of Withdean, Paul Samrah. The show tells the history and story of the Albion including the fans long fourteen year battle to get new ownership of the club and a new home.

A fantastic, entertaining show with lots of humour and audience participation, it was so great to see loads of Brighton fans in Albion colours chanting ‘Seeeeagulls’ at the end as blue and white balloons came down from up above. Everyone had a great time and the show has been brought right up to date with reference to the new Amex Stadium at the beginning and end of the performance. A technical glitch right at the very end of the show meant that the time lapse slide show showing the building of the Amex on the stage backdrop wasn’t seen but it didn’t matter as we all know it’s there, we’ve seen it, believe it and love it.



Albion Fans Forum - Amex Stadium, Tuesday 26th July



Ken Brown, Gus Poyet, Jonny Cantor, Tony Bloom & Martin Perry

Albion held their annual Fans Forum tonight in the plush new surroundings of the BUPA lounge at the Amex Stadium. Broadcast live on BBC Radio Sussex the event was well attended with over 400 invited fans along with players, directors & staff from the club. On the panel were chairman Tony Bloom, manager Gus Poyet and directors Martin Perry & Ken Brown.

Amongst topics discussed were new players, the forthcoming friendly with Spurs, the manager's expectations for the new season at Championship level, the issue of reduced numbers on the subs bench and the consequences that follow as a direct result of that rule change (Gus was particularly vocal about this subject and not at all happy with having his substitutes being reduced from seven to five players), away ticket allocation and parking places for disabled fans.

This last issue surprisingly raised some fairly heated discussion at times. It appears that some disabled fans are unhappy at the amount of allocated parking spaces for them and implied that they were being treated somewhat unfairly. Martin Perry responded to the questions regarding the points raised explaining that the club have acted in a fair and proper way, and that they had 78 allocated disabled parking spaces and that was considered to be sufficient. Unfortunately the issue seemed to get a little laboured and threatened to dominate proceedings until host Jonny Cantor moved things along.

The club's loyalty points scheme also came in for close scrutiny from fans who attend away games but do not hold hold season tickets. Ken Brown explained that season ticket holders got priority as they were the lifeblood of the club and needed to be rewarded for their loyalty to the club since the move away from the Goldstone.

Gus Poyet was as humorous as ever with some very witty comments. He also urged fans to be very vocal in their support of the team at the new Amex stadium for the full ninety minutes of every match. He said if the team played rubbish then by all means let the team know how you feel, but not until after the final whistle.

As always it was a fairly lively affair but everyone seemed to enjoy the occasion and certainly preferred the new venue compared to the portacabin previously used at the Withdean. There was lots of discussion between fans in the bar after the radio broadcast went off air, followed by what appeared to be a very appreciative nod of approval to the tasty pies and Harvey's ale on offer. An enjoyable evening with an opportunity to meet and chat with fellow Seagull fans in the glorious surroundings of the wonderful new American Express Community Stadium.

Good Lord, Tom's A Winner!



Lord Sugar & winner Tom Pellereau

So good guys do sometimes win then. In the Final of Sunday night's The Apprentice it was gentleman Tom Pellereau who beat clever Helen, smarmy Jim and elegant Susie to win the top prize of a £250,000 business partnership with Lord Sugar. Well deserved I say. Highlight of the programme? Oh that's easy, when Jim was asked to say something about himself that was not a cliche the Irishman's bright response was "I am what it says on the tin". Jeez, no wonder he didn't win. Tom's intelligence, polite manner, eccentric ideas and innovation are what saw him to victory. That and his charming habit of raising his arm like a schoolboy in class when he wanted to say something, just don't ask him what part of England Christopher Columbus came from.

Oh Gary Hart, Gary Gary Hart...

Sussex Senior Cup Final, Amex Stadium, 15th July 2011

Albion 2 - Eastbourne Borough 0

How fitting that the player to score the first ever goal at the new American Express Community Stadium should be Gary Hary. At 34 the man is a legend to Albion fans and although released at the end of last season he was made captain for the day in his last ever game in a Brighton shirt. Hart scored the first ever goal at the Withdean and is the only Albion player ever to have played at the temporary Priestfield home in Gillingham, Withdean and the Amex and the only one to have scored in all three stadiums. Gary Hart has created Albion history and no one deserves it more. The fans were absolutely delighted for him when he popped up in the 70th minute to score and give Albion a 1-0 lead. Up came the now familiar chorus of "Oh Gary Hart, Gary Gary Hart" for one last time. Thirteen minutes later the impressive Steve Cook heads in the winner and Brighton have won their first trophy of the season. This was effectively the Albion's reserve team/development squad playing to win the Sussex Senior Cup and although Eastbourne Borough put up a spirited defence I have to say that in my opinion the better team won.

The Amex - How Was It For You?

This was the first ever football match at the Amex and as such was a 'ramp up' event with the crowd limited to under 10,000 to see how effectively the people and traffic management systems that were in place were actually going to work. Generally quite good would be my opinion, particularly the traffic and rail management.

However, there were issues with the refreshment service from the food kiosks in the Upper West Stand and it wasn't long before huge queues were forming for the pies and pints (and I mean seriously long queues). I believe that these refreshment problems weren't just restricted to the Upper West Stand either.

Standing outside in a deluge of rain whilst waiting for the turnstiles to open meant that we probably got as wet as we ever did at Withdean before we could finally get inside the stadium and into the dry. I understand that there were ticketing issues with some fans not getting tickets in time and consequently large queues started forming outside the Amex club shop whilst people waited to get in to collect tickets, or perhaps just to get shelter from the pouring rain. Maybe signage around the ground and on roads leading up to it could be improved and surely a clock inside the stadium itself is a neccessity? I'm not moaning here you understand, they're just my observations.

So some lessons can be learnt from the day but that is what a ramp up event is for after all so we shouldn't get too concerned at this stage as I'm sure the club will iron out some of these issues for the next ramp up event, the friendly against Spurs in two weeks time. We look forward to that game when a near full house will test management systems to the max.

Albion Finally Get Their Man

Albion have finally landed their man with the six month loan signing of Kasenga Lua Lua. The club have an option to buy the player in January and subject to his fitness being proved will become a permanent Brighton player in 2012. This on/off transfer saga has gone on for weeks with lots of speculation and rumour about the player's fitness after breaking his ankle last season whilst on loan at Brighton. Seagulls fans and Gus Poyet will be delighted as the pacey winger was terrific for Albion last time out and if fully fit will be a real asset to the squad. His speed down the flanks can leave opposition defenders standing in his wake and he is a player that can get you goals, a real match winner (as long as he is fit). Another one of Gus's top targets signed up.

Romain Vincelot

The club have also signed highly rated Daggenham & Redbridge French defender/midfielder Romain Vincelot who Gus has been keeping an eye on for some time. Other clubs were reputedly interested in the player but Albion's bid of £100,000 and the attraction of a new stadium and ambitious manager appear to have secured the player's services for the next two years.

Oh So Sweet Baby James



JAMES TAYLOR, Bournemouth BIC, 14th July 2011:

I was really looking forward to this gig, and it didn't disappoint. It would be hard to find a more amiable entertainer to spend an evening with than James Taylor. The legendary singer-songwriter with the unchanging beautiful voice sings with a smile you can hear and creates an intimate, friendly atmosphere. He’s like a fine wine that just matures and grows better with age. This show is a trip down memory lane for James, and we're all more than happy to be taken along. Most songs are familiar, some more obscure, but every one's a winner, delivered with a story that puts them in context. His band of excellent musicians and backing vocalists were note perfect throughout including pianist Larry Goldings, backing vocalist & fiddle player Andrea Zonn, lead guitarist Michael Landau and an extra special word here for the relatively unknown but appropriately named drummer Chad Wackerman who sat quietly at the back of the stage but who was superb and right on the money for the whole evening, playing an understated but nailed on perfect set.

The concert opened with the Buddy Holly song Everyday and during the rest of the evening we heard other classic Taylor songs such as Blossom, Something In The Way She Moves Me, Mexico, the Carole King penned Up On The Roof, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Line ‘Em Up, How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You, Copperline and the popular Your Smiling Face. We also listened to Jump Up Behind Me, about the time his father drove to New York to rescue a teenage James after a failed band project, Angry Blues, written in the throes of a hangover, one of my personal favourites the beautifully crafted and well written The Secret Of Life and perhaps the stand-out song of the evening was My Travelling Star (one of many variations he's written on the theme of being torn between home and the open road). There was a raunchy version of Steamroller Blues which always sounds so different every time Taylor performs it and a beautiful rendition of the charming Shower The People that highlighted just how good the backing singers were.

And when the long-awaited favourites take their turn - Sweet Baby James, Fire and Rain, Carolina In My Mind and the encore song You've Got a Friend - they're delivered faithfully and with the same feeling as when they were first recorded, to a pin-drop silent audience appreciating every word and note.

Taylor never leaves the stage, even spending the entire interval perched on the edge shaking hands and signing anything and everything that's put his way. At the end he thanks us for allowing him and the band to take another turn through town. And the warmth he shows his audience is sent right back. James, you've indeed got a lot of friends in this part of the world.

With grateful thanks to Debbie Moore of the Bournemouth Echo whose contribution is also included in this review.

Rockin' All Over The World



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This day in 1985...Live Aid, Wembley Stadium, 13th July:
Twenty six years ago today I was at Wembley watching the Live Aid concert. I remember Staus Quo opening the show with 'Rockin' All Over The World' (how appropriate), that moment when Bob Geldof paused in the middle of 'I Don't Like Mondays' to great effect ('and the lesson today is how to die') and then later thumping the table and demanding money from people "NOW!", that heart wrenching famine video made by CBC with Drive by The Cars that brought a tear to everyone's eye, Freddie & Queen stealing the show (of course), Bono dancing with that lady in the crowd while Jagger & Bowie danced in the street, finally getting to see The Who perform live for the first time in my life, Macca's microphone breaking down and 90,000 people helping him out by singing 'Let It Be' and the finale where everyone sung the Christmas hit 'Feed The World' in the middle of the summer. What a day!



Freddie had us right in the palm of his hand





Home At Last!

Me and my three footballing pals went along to the Amex Stadium tonight for what was called a "familiarisation evening". My first real close up look at Albion's new home. We arrived at 6.30pm, got our tickets from the impressive new mega store (the portacabin shop at Withdean now a fading memory) and joined the queue in eager anticipation of what we were about to witness. At last 7.00pm arrived and the turnstiles opened. Now we are about to embark on a journey for the very first time to the West Stand Upper tier, be prepared because this is no easy task.

After several flights of stairs (I counted at least seven) we finally arrive at our destination and get to see what all the fuss is about. We head for daylight through the Block C entrance and there it is before our very eyes. It's truly magnificent, it's brilliant, it's stunning and it's certainly worth the oxygen sapping walk up all those blooming stairs. This is a wonderfully designed stadium, it's impressive in all it's glory and most importantly of all...it has padded seats! We go to Row L and I find seat 80, my seat, my very own blue seat. Even better, I am sitting next to a white seat that nestles under the Seagulls wing in the upper tier. Yep, I'm next to the big white Seagull, it's unbelievable. I take a photo. 

The view from my seat is just brilliant

I take lots and lots of photos.



Four Stay Dry In The Amex

We meet more familiar faces and friends from the Withdean that are sitting close by and then introduce ourselves to Adrian and his family, new neighbours in Row M, just behind us. We then notice something above our heads, what is this strange thing? Could it be? Nah, surely not. Yes, it really is...it's a roof! Throw away the poncho's boys, there will be no more getting drenched on a Saturday afternoon from this moment on.

The next bit of exploration takes us back down the steps to sample the delights of the Amex refreshments. Just when you think it can't get any better you suddenly see the magic words...Harvey's Real Ale. Okay, now I think I've died and gone to heaven. The pies are eaten and 'meat' with our approval, we take in the magnificent panoramic view from the West Stand Upper concourse and Martin Perry strolls over for a chat. We thank him for our new home, tell him how impressed we are and get given some good advice regarding the challenging stairway. The trick is to use the right hand side stairway rather than the left, as apparently this has fewer stairs. Now I didn't know that. We thank Martin, finish our pints and then  it's off to see if we can find Paul's brick. Back down the shorter stairway to the ground level (goodness me, it is a long way down) and we approach the front reception area of the stadium. Click, click, even more photos are taken.


The Amex Reception Area

I go inside the reception and meet the gorgeous, beautiful, charming and delightful Camilla behind the desk. I think I'm in love. Hmm, now I see what the 1901 club get for their money. I turn to leave and there it is, on the wall behind me, the most exciting player ever to wear the Blue & White stripes, he's shot he's scored, it's the legend that is Peter Ward. Time for another photo opportunity I think. Click...

Me and Wardy

We make our way outside to find lots of bricks (and I mean lots). These are the engraved heritage stones that Albion fans have paid to have laid outside the main entrance. We start on the journey to find Paul's brick. 20 minutes later, we find it. It's there on the ground right in front of us, Paul's actual brick. "Paul Mitchell, Living The Dream".

Paul's heritage stone - finally found it's home

The evening's journey is almost over as we leave the Amex and the sun sets over Brighton & Hove Albion's magnificent new home. We feel proud to have been a small part of it's history.

We will never forget the 10 year struggle to get a new ground of our own...that last ever game at the Goldstone, the demonstrations, the battles with those that opposed us and those that nearly ruined us, the half time pitch invasions, the chants, the songs, the poems, the Fans Reunited day, the demolition of a football ground leaving the club homeless, the two year exile to Gillingham, the move back to Sussex by the Sea to a roofless athletics stadium at Withdean (gone but not forgotten), the postcards and flowers to politicians and the long and expensive court battle to win the right to build a stadium at Falmer.

We owe huge thanks to the dedication and determination of former chairman Dick Knight (always a hero), the unbelievable generosity of a true Brighton fan in Tony Bloom who has made the move to a new stadium possible, the hard work of Martin Perry and the board of Directors, the players and managers whose desire to win brought them back to back championships and finally a League One title in the one year it was really needed.

However, the most important contribution was the passion of the Brighton fans and many other ordinary football fans up and down the country who helped the Albion and it's supporters through it's darkest days, the fans who were not prepared to see this club die, the survival of Brighton & Hove Albion was everything to them. Their reward for such belief, passion, belonging and commitment was to be seen right in front of our very own eyes tonight...the stunning American Express Community Stadium, our new home. So here we are after all those years, home at last.