Derek Chapman has urged football fans to turn up for FA Cup action – and prepare to be impressed.
He would love to see Albion Women, of whom he is chairman, progress and put on a show.
They have a chance as Blackburn Rovers visit Culver Road today*(1pm) in the fourth round.
The winners could draw a Super League power like Chelsea or Manchester City in the next round if they go through.
But Chapman expects spectators to be impressed whatever happens.
Those who turn up do not need to be fans of Albion’s men’s team – or Albion at all.
But the club attracted a gate of about 400 when they thrashed higher-division Oxford 10-0 in the last round and they hope for a few newcomers tomorrow.
Chapman, pictured below, said: “It’s a good tie for us. Blackburn are fourth in the northern league so it gives us a good guide if we are to go into the championship play-off for promotion into the Women Super League. It is a tie we can win, one we can lose.
"We have tried to reach out to the Brighton and Hove Albion football family.
“The players wear the stripes with pride.
“They were all very impressed, including some of the first team players.*We are looking forward to this one.
“We will do some face-painting, better refreshments, maybe let the kids do a penalty shootout. There will be a few things going on.
“We are top of the league and still in three cups so we are having a great season.*I ask people to come with an open mind and have a look at us.
“If they don’t like it, it will be ‘Thanks for coming, you tried it, you didn’t like it, not a problem’. But I am confident people will enjoy it.*It’s a different sort of game. It’s an excellent product.”
Chapman recognised he was sceptical about what to expect from the women’s game.*He believes other Amex regulars may have similar feelings. But he has urged them to give it a go.
The long-time Seagulls fan said: “I have been taken aback. The football is great.*It’s skilful, there’s not the same level of physicality – although they never shirk a tackle.
“It’s £3 to get in for adults – a good value afternoon out.”
Admission costs £1 for under-16s and is free for Albion season ticket holders.
The club are hoping to make it a fun occasion.*They are offering free entry to any runners who attend the match if they wear their race medal from the morning’s Brighton and Hove Half Marathon, either from the main event or from any of the youth races.
Every child attending the game will be given a free raffle ticket and five lucky winners will be drawn at random prior to kick off to take part in the half-time shoot-out.
They will take penalties against one of the Albion Women goalkeepers and the shoot-out winner will be presented with a football signed by the team.
Fans will also be asked to tweet a selfie from the match using the hashtag #SeagullsSelfie, with the best one receiving a signed football.
Original article
He would love to see Albion Women, of whom he is chairman, progress and put on a show.
They have a chance as Blackburn Rovers visit Culver Road today*(1pm) in the fourth round.
The winners could draw a Super League power like Chelsea or Manchester City in the next round if they go through.
But Chapman expects spectators to be impressed whatever happens.
Those who turn up do not need to be fans of Albion’s men’s team – or Albion at all.
But the club attracted a gate of about 400 when they thrashed higher-division Oxford 10-0 in the last round and they hope for a few newcomers tomorrow.
Chapman, pictured below, said: “It’s a good tie for us. Blackburn are fourth in the northern league so it gives us a good guide if we are to go into the championship play-off for promotion into the Women Super League. It is a tie we can win, one we can lose.
"We have tried to reach out to the Brighton and Hove Albion football family.
“The players wear the stripes with pride.
- Albion boss hollers for Holla
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- Albion and Leeds on opposite sides of the pitch and the TV debate
- Big interview: New adventure has been an eye-opener for ex-Albion ace Orlandi
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[h=5]Albion boss hollers for Holla[/h]
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[h=5]Inside story: How I discovered Anthony Knockaert - and thought I'd lost him to Leeds[/h]
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[h=5]Albion and Leeds on opposite sides of the pitch and the TV debate[/h]
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[h=5]Big interview: New adventure has been an eye-opener for ex-Albion ace Orlandi[/h]
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[h=5]Rosenior thanks the staff who got him back early[/h]
“They were all very impressed, including some of the first team players.*We are looking forward to this one.
“We will do some face-painting, better refreshments, maybe let the kids do a penalty shootout. There will be a few things going on.
“We are top of the league and still in three cups so we are having a great season.*I ask people to come with an open mind and have a look at us.
“If they don’t like it, it will be ‘Thanks for coming, you tried it, you didn’t like it, not a problem’. But I am confident people will enjoy it.*It’s a different sort of game. It’s an excellent product.”
Chapman recognised he was sceptical about what to expect from the women’s game.*He believes other Amex regulars may have similar feelings. But he has urged them to give it a go.
The long-time Seagulls fan said: “I have been taken aback. The football is great.*It’s skilful, there’s not the same level of physicality – although they never shirk a tackle.
“It’s £3 to get in for adults – a good value afternoon out.”
Admission costs £1 for under-16s and is free for Albion season ticket holders.
The club are hoping to make it a fun occasion.*They are offering free entry to any runners who attend the match if they wear their race medal from the morning’s Brighton and Hove Half Marathon, either from the main event or from any of the youth races.
Every child attending the game will be given a free raffle ticket and five lucky winners will be drawn at random prior to kick off to take part in the half-time shoot-out.
They will take penalties against one of the Albion Women goalkeepers and the shoot-out winner will be presented with a football signed by the team.
Fans will also be asked to tweet a selfie from the match using the hashtag #SeagullsSelfie, with the best one receiving a signed football.
Original article