[Albion] The lost generation

Munkfish · Mar 15, 2024

For the few of us who were unfortunate enough/fortunate enough to have found our team in a time of crises bottom of the football league, no home dragged to games by parents then spent our teenage years at a place many of us ended up having sports day what a f***ing journey.

It’s been a hell of a ride for everyone who calls themselves an Albion fan. However never in a million years did I expect to go on this journey. Boy hood hero’s of Danny Cullip, Gary Hart and Bobby Zamora to following our team In the premier league and Europe. What a ride.

I honest don’t think there’s been a team better to support in my lifetime. From being going to school with man United fans and being asked who your real team is. To tonight the end of a 25 odd year journey. What an incredible time to be a Brighton fan. Never realised how good it could be suffered beyond belief to this.

I apologies for the self indulgence but what a bloody journey. I hope it’s not the end.

Cotton Socks · Mar 15, 2024

Munkfish said:
For the few of us who were unfortunate enough/fortunate enough to have found our team in a time of crises bottom of the football league, no home dragged to games by parents then spent our teenage years at a place many of us ended up having sports day what a f***ing journey.

It’s been a hell of a ride for everyone who calls themselves an Albion fan. However never in a million years did I expect to go on this journey. Boy hood hero’s of Danny Cullip, Gary Hart and Bobby Zamora to following our team In the premier league and Europe. What a ride.

I honest don’t think there’s been a team better to support in my lifetime. From being going to school with man United fans and being asked who your real team is. What a f***ing journey.

I apologies for the self indulgence but what a bloody journey. I hope it’s not the end.

I was talking to youngest Jnr about this a couple of days ago and again on the bus back tonight when we were looking at the 'class numbers' in his hat. It starts in reception & he's left school now. Eldest Jnr was at the PL promotion match on his own & I can remember giving him direct instructions not to go on the pitch as he may get banned, he ignored me!

We will only get a few of that generation back but what I did notice today was a 'younger generation' in front of me. A girl of about 7 (who I made jump when singing 'Albion') & a boy who was probably 10, with who I assume were their parents. They were both joining in with 'Albion' by the start of the 2nd half and they are probably now set as supporters. It was actually nice to see. :smile:

We have a generation that support Brighton because their parents have basically drummed it in to them (I'm sure that qualifies me for a good parenting award) & youngest Jnr has taken some stick over the years for his hat (my award gone for letting him wear it knowing he was getting grief for his team choice). I now call any of either Jnr's friends who suddenly are Brighton supporters, JCL plastics and ensure that my Jnr's do the same. But tonight there were 2 kids in front of me that aren't JCL's, they loved it it's 'skipped' half a generation but the new generation was there tonight.

Nicks · Mar 15, 2024

My two lads Left and Right of the flag taken at Priestfield in our first season there.

They are now 33 and 34 now and both there tonight and we were saying beforehand, who would of dreamt this back on that day I took the photo.

Munkfish · Mar 15, 2024

Cotton Socks said:
I was talking to youngest Jnr about this a couple of days ago and again on the bus back tonight when we were looking at the 'class numbers' in his hat. It starts in reception & he's left school now. Eldest Jnr was at the PL promotion match on his own & I can remember giving him direct instructions not to go on the pitch as he may get banned, he ignored me!
We will only get a few of that generation back but what I did notice today was a 'younger generation' in front of me. A girl of about 7 (who I made jump when singing 'Albion') & a boy who was probably 10, with who I assume were their parents. They were both joining in with 'Albion' by the start of the 2nd half and they are probably now set as supporters. It was actually nice to see.
We have a generation that support Brighton because their parents have basically drummed it in to them (I'm sure that qualifies me for a good parenting award) & youngest Jnr has taken some stick over the years for his hat (my award gone for letting him wear it knowing he was getting grief for his team choice). I now call any of either Jnr's friends who suddenly are Brighton supporters, JCL plastics and ensure that my Jnr's do the same. But tonight there were 2 kids in front of me that aren't JCL's, they loved it it's 'skipped' half a generation but the new generation was there tonight.

Absolutely hopefully we now have a club this generation and the next and the next can be proud of.

But tonight was the end of a journey and a dream I could have even imaged would be possible when I started going to games.

Cotton Socks · Mar 15, 2024

Munkfish said:
Absolutely hopefully we now have a club this generation and the next and the next can be proud of.

But tonight was the end of a journey and a dream I could have even imaged would be possible when I started going to games.

We don't do journeys, we do roller coasters! :lolol:

It has been amazing though. I'm not even grumpy that we haven't got through, I'm still stunned we got this far!

Monkey Man · Mar 15, 2024

I wasn’t in my normal seat last night and we found ourselves in and around a group of lads who I would guess were all late teens and early twenties.

They were loud and a bit pissed and silly and sweary and we had to stand up a lot of the time to see the action because they were up and down so much. And inevitably they needed regular toilet breaks.

But they got behind the team all night and made us laugh with their songs and chatter. Good on them. If we had more like them at the Amex (and possibly less like me) the Amex would be loud and proud every game. No need for megaphones.

TomTom · Mar 15, 2024

Munkfish said:
For the few of us who were unfortunate enough/fortunate enough to have found our team in a time of crises bottom of the football league, no home dragged to games by parents then spent our teenage years at a place many of us ended up having sports day what a f***ing journey.

It’s been a hell of a ride for everyone who calls themselves an Albion fan. However never in a million years did I expect to go on this journey. Boy hood hero’s of Danny Cullip, Gary Hart and Bobby Zamora to following our team In the premier league and Europe. What a ride.

I honest don’t think there’s been a team better to support in my lifetime. From being going to school with man United fans and being asked who your real team is. To tonight the end of a 25 odd year journey. What an incredible time to be a Brighton fan. Never realised how good it could be suffered beyond belief to this.

I apologies for the self indulgence but what a bloody journey. I hope it’s not the end.

I could copy and paste this and not one word would be a lie!

Hamilton · Mar 15, 2024

Hamilton jr attended his first games in 2008 and had to endure the second coming of Adams. I think he was about 20 games without a victory in dire conditions.

About five years ago we took a trip to Amsterdam, and junior and I did an Ajax game. In the way to the stadium we looked at each other and both chatted about how amazing it would be if Brighton played Ajax.

Dreams do come true.

Junior is 24 now. He never got to see the Priestfield or the fight against Archer. He feels it though and has earned his stripes.

A couple of years ago he had to give up the season ticket due to work, then travel. It meant he didn’t have enough points to get tickets for Europa away games, but he was still in Amsterdam and Rome, ticketless and lapping it up.

The Albion is in safe hands with his supporting mentality. I’m happy to pass it on to his generation.

Green Cross Code Man · Mar 15, 2024

Both my kids were born in Toxteth and started school surrounded by Liverpool and Everton fans. This was the turn of the century and even Everton's triumphs in the league were not such a distant memory. Whenever I could, I took them to games, from the age of about 5, at Withdean, and that is where their experience and expectation lay until we were blown away by the opening of our wonderful stadium. One travelled from Norwich to see the match last night and the other is a season ticket holder up in the West Upper like me. I am so proud of them that they wore Brighton shirts proudly to school when we were up north, and the continuation of their love for Albion is a joy to me. I had incredible memories of our glory days in the 70's, but never once thought we'd exceed those and by such a long way, and I don't believe my lads ever though so either. I loved last night, I thought it was a great match and a good point for reflection. I hope we progress more and go on to achieve more but today I am satisfied.

Rodney Thomas · Mar 15, 2024

I'm in the same boat as you.

I started going in 1995 as a 5 year old taken by my Dad. I was there at Hereford crying when Reinelt scored (because my Dad hugged me so hard) and had a season ticket at Gillingham. Every other week for 2 years making that journey as a 7/8 year old with my Dad.

Like you I was the only Brighton fan at my primary school. I handed out leaflets with family to bring us back to the Withdean and get planning for Falmer.

Throughout this period I was going with my Dad and a little later my younger brother. These were the most formative years of my life. No one can ever take those experiences away from me. It has shaped me beyond what I probably imagine. I might not be able to go anymore but I find it impossible not to watch with wonder and pride at what the club is achieving now.

jimhigham · Mar 15, 2024

Was at the match with my 25 year old daughter last night. Opened her Albion account at Withdean in 2009, after we returned from overseas. Had to chuckle pre-game, when she spotted on the socials that a former work colleague was at the game. She dropped him a line, as she didn’t know he was a supporter. He replied to say he wasn’t into football when they worked together and he began following Albion two years back. We’re picking up new generations all the time.

...and my daughter? This week she’s got an offer to follow a PhD with the University of Oxford. Parenting done right. Oxford doctorate. Loves gigs. Follows the Albion.

tedebear · Mar 15, 2024

Munkfish said:
Absolutely hopefully we now have a club this generation and the next and the next can be proud of.

But tonight was the end of a journey and a dream I could have even imaged would be possible when I started going to games.

I don't get why tonight is the end of a journey? This is only the start...surely you know that as long as you've been supporting, to my mind the statement this morning for me is "we go again"...it might not be next season, it might be the season after...but we will go again....and thats what we do....

el punal · Mar 15, 2024

tedebear said:
I don't get why tonight is the end of a journey? This is only the start...surely you know that as long as you've been supporting, to my mind the statement this morning for me is "we go again"...it might not be next season, it might be the season after...but we will go again....and thats what we do....

End of the journey? Pah! We’ve just pulled into the motorway services of football for a short break before continuing.

Milano · Mar 15, 2024

I’m confused by the title of this thread as the OP doesn’t mention ‘the lost generation’ once, just pats himself on the back a bit.

Forget the Amex for a minute, go past football training on Saturdays at any Sussex rec and you’ll see dozens of Albion kits where 10 years ago you’d have maybe seen one or two. Stay around where we are in the EPL and the Amex won’t be big enough in 10-15 years time.

tedebear · Mar 15, 2024

Milano said:
I’m confused by the title of this thread as the OP doesn’t mention ‘the lost generation’ once, just pats himself on the back a bit.

Forget the Amex for a minute, go past football training on Saturdays at any Sussex rec and you’ll see dozens of Albion kits where 10 years ago you’d have maybe seen one or two. Stay around where we are in the EPL and the Amex won’t be big enough in 10-15 years time.

Completely agree. My allotment is next to a beautiful green play space. Kids on the weekends and after school having a kick about and generally having fun. The number of Albion kits recently has increased, which is brilliant. I used to get utterly despondent when people living in my street would turn up with kids in Liverpool, MU, MC etc football kit...I could kind of understand the one Newcastle kit as I know as the kids Dad was born and raised there...But I've never understood the ones where you are born and raised Brighton and you buy your kids a ManU kit (or someone close to you does)...seriously? At least I am seeing more and more Brighton kits which is superb with their own names in little font on the back....

Its all good, still don't get the lost generation comparison...nor the fact that this is the end of the journey for the OP...may as well turn in your season ticket if thats the case!!

tedebear · Mar 15, 2024

el punal said:
End of the journey? Pah! We’ve just pulled into the motorway services of football for a short break before continuing.

Hopefully its a Moto services...92% of visitors were happy with the loos there....

thedonkeycentrehalf · Mar 15, 2024

Milano said:
Forget the Amex for a minute, go past football training on Saturdays at any Sussex rec and you’ll see dozens of Albion kits where 10 years ago you’d have maybe seen one or two. Stay around where we are in the EPL and the Amex won’t be big enough in 10-15 years time.

I was a volunteer coach with AITC at the Saturday morning soccer schools. In 2005/6 when I started, there were very few kids in Albion shirts at those sessions

Take it forward to 2013 when I finished coaching at a large local youth team, the Amex was open and there were probably half the kids across the age groups wearing Albion shirts. With the last few years in the top flight, I would imagine those numbers have grown even more.

Paulie Gualtieri · Mar 15, 2024

Youngest (5) was upset whilst choosing a top for non uniform day as someone in his after school football class told him Brighton are not a real team.

The little shit was wearing a PSG shirt apparently!

Commander · Mar 15, 2024

Munkfish said:
For the few of us who were unfortunate enough/fortunate enough to have found our team in a time of crises bottom of the football league, no home dragged to games by parents then spent our teenage years at a place many of us ended up having sports day what a f***ing journey.

It’s been a hell of a ride for everyone who calls themselves an Albion fan. However never in a million years did I expect to go on this journey. Boy hood hero’s of Danny Cullip, Gary Hart and Bobby Zamora to following our team In the premier league and Europe. What a ride.

I honest don’t think there’s been a team better to support in my lifetime. From being going to school with man United fans and being asked who your real team is. To tonight the end of a 25 odd year journey. What an incredible time to be a Brighton fan. Never realised how good it could be suffered beyond belief to this.

I apologies for the self indulgence but what a bloody journey. I hope it’s not the end.

We must be the same generation because that is my exact journey.

This season I have seen us beat AEK Athens, Marseille, Ajax (twice) and Roma. No matter how many times I say that at loud, it still doesn't sound right.

We've played 4 teams in Europe this season and beaten all of them.

What an absolutely unbelievable journey, and not one that literally any other club in the country can possibly match. Possibly ever.

Perfidious Albion · Mar 15, 2024

Following the Albion has been a wonderful support to me over the years , whatever else has been boring or negative in life , there is always the Albion , a means of escapism.. It has truly been a roller coaster, we have seldom had a mid table finish.. always seeming to be chasing promotion or fighting relegation.
Ever since the days of the 70s… I bow my hat , thank you

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