Have viewed NSC for years but never posted before. Have followed the Albion since moving to Brighton in 1984, and often went to the Goldstone. Never went to Priestfield, but attended on and off throughout the Withdean years. Like many, became a STH for first time last season, and have been to almost every match at the Amex and half a dozen away matches per season.
The reason for posting is the Charlton match tomorrow, which I’m going to with my son (lives in London, but born and brought up in Brighton and still a hardcore Albion fan). Before moving to Brighton, I spent most of my childhood and teenage years in south London with Charlton as my local team. Went to the old Valley in the 60s and 70s: amazing, massive ground, and not just for the football -- I remember the two gigs the Who played there in the early/mid-70s, one of which still holds the record, I think, for the loudest concert ever (little known trivial fact – Bill Curbishley, ex-gangster and the Who’s manager for years, is Alan’s elder brother…). Kept following the Addicks from a distance after moving to Brighton, especially during the Curbishley period in 90’s and 2000’s and went a few times to the new Valley. However, the first match between Brighton and Albion that I ever went to was two years ago at Withdean – hard-fought with Calde sent off and FFS equalising. One thing I remember at that match was that, although I see myself as Albion now, I still had a real feeling of ambivalence when they were playing the Addicks, and was kind of relieved that it turned out a draw (though it felt like a win for most Albion fans).
The interesting thing (well for me, anyway) is that not only am I really looking forward to tomorrow’s match, but I don’t feel any of that ambivalence. Any lingering nostalgia about going back to the Valley is more than outweighed by my total and absolute commitment to BHA and an Albion win and the need to clear the sour taste in my mouth left by last Saturday (the whole experience of which has to rank as one of the most unpleasant Saturday afternoons I’ve had for years..). Still have a lot of respect for Charlton – the club, the fans and Chris Powell -- but I definitely want them to lose tomorrow. So, JCL or not, I now feel sufficiently secure in my Albion credentials to start posting on here..
(sits back and awaits inevitable dismantling of those credentials…
The reason for posting is the Charlton match tomorrow, which I’m going to with my son (lives in London, but born and brought up in Brighton and still a hardcore Albion fan). Before moving to Brighton, I spent most of my childhood and teenage years in south London with Charlton as my local team. Went to the old Valley in the 60s and 70s: amazing, massive ground, and not just for the football -- I remember the two gigs the Who played there in the early/mid-70s, one of which still holds the record, I think, for the loudest concert ever (little known trivial fact – Bill Curbishley, ex-gangster and the Who’s manager for years, is Alan’s elder brother…). Kept following the Addicks from a distance after moving to Brighton, especially during the Curbishley period in 90’s and 2000’s and went a few times to the new Valley. However, the first match between Brighton and Albion that I ever went to was two years ago at Withdean – hard-fought with Calde sent off and FFS equalising. One thing I remember at that match was that, although I see myself as Albion now, I still had a real feeling of ambivalence when they were playing the Addicks, and was kind of relieved that it turned out a draw (though it felt like a win for most Albion fans).
The interesting thing (well for me, anyway) is that not only am I really looking forward to tomorrow’s match, but I don’t feel any of that ambivalence. Any lingering nostalgia about going back to the Valley is more than outweighed by my total and absolute commitment to BHA and an Albion win and the need to clear the sour taste in my mouth left by last Saturday (the whole experience of which has to rank as one of the most unpleasant Saturday afternoons I’ve had for years..). Still have a lot of respect for Charlton – the club, the fans and Chris Powell -- but I definitely want them to lose tomorrow. So, JCL or not, I now feel sufficiently secure in my Albion credentials to start posting on here..
(sits back and awaits inevitable dismantling of those credentials…
Like it.
