The Large One
Who's Next?
About 20 people - FFA bods, Seagulls Over Burwash, among others - were invited to an 'get to meet you' gathering in Dick's Bar yesterday evening.
In introducing himself, he wanted to point out that while is presently getting to meet and greet people, getting his feet under the table etc. What he wants is good communication between himself and the supporters - in effect, to be approachable on any matter relating to the running of the Albion.
He is a genuinely mad-keen football fan - a dyed-in-the-wool Tottenham Hotspur fan, for which he did have the good grace to apologise. He is currently reading Build A Bonfire and We Want Falmer, and getting himself familiarised with the culture and history of the Albion, the fans and the stadium.
One of his remits (I'm paraphrasing) is take it to the next level financially. He accepts that, in doing so, he wishes to do so by inviting outside money in, there may be occasions where he has to be seen as the bad guy by doing something unpopular. Should something like that happen, he says, he is always prepared to listen and consider alternatives and suggestions from fans. What he said he has no intention of doing is bumping up prices in order to take the piss out of loyal fans.
It was suggested that if he really wants the club to be successful, one of his assignments would be to make Brighton a Spurs / Chelsea / Arsenal / Man U-free zone.
What we also got was a historical perspective from inside the FA around the time of the Archer / Bellotti days. The thing that came up most often was just how far David Davies had to go out on a limb from within the culture of the FA in order to help Brighton.
First impressions - a good signing. One has to take what he says at face value, especially as at present there is no other way to take him. He certainly talks a good talk. But, yeah - a decent bloke who does seem to be on the ball.
In introducing himself, he wanted to point out that while is presently getting to meet and greet people, getting his feet under the table etc. What he wants is good communication between himself and the supporters - in effect, to be approachable on any matter relating to the running of the Albion.
He is a genuinely mad-keen football fan - a dyed-in-the-wool Tottenham Hotspur fan, for which he did have the good grace to apologise. He is currently reading Build A Bonfire and We Want Falmer, and getting himself familiarised with the culture and history of the Albion, the fans and the stadium.
One of his remits (I'm paraphrasing) is take it to the next level financially. He accepts that, in doing so, he wishes to do so by inviting outside money in, there may be occasions where he has to be seen as the bad guy by doing something unpopular. Should something like that happen, he says, he is always prepared to listen and consider alternatives and suggestions from fans. What he said he has no intention of doing is bumping up prices in order to take the piss out of loyal fans.
It was suggested that if he really wants the club to be successful, one of his assignments would be to make Brighton a Spurs / Chelsea / Arsenal / Man U-free zone.
What we also got was a historical perspective from inside the FA around the time of the Archer / Bellotti days. The thing that came up most often was just how far David Davies had to go out on a limb from within the culture of the FA in order to help Brighton.
First impressions - a good signing. One has to take what he says at face value, especially as at present there is no other way to take him. He certainly talks a good talk. But, yeah - a decent bloke who does seem to be on the ball.
