[Albion] Memories of Justin Fashanu?

[Eeyore]

Pretty sure he had a flat in Sussex Heights.

If he did, it wasn't there. It would have been late 86 or early 87. Looking at the yellow man walking along the seafront in Google, I think it could have been Bedford Square.

[MENTION=41579]alfleflo[/MENTION]

A worthy note. He would only have been aged 24-26 (born 1961) when he was with the Albion. I always thought of him as older, he'd been around for quite a while.

 

[alfleflo]

I remember reading in the Argus that he was a born again Christian and never swore. Fifteen minutes into his first pre season friendly someone clattered into him and you heard the word “bastard” proclaimed by JF

Ha ha, everyone's human I guess

 

[alfleflo]

It was up west Street didn't open until 11pm and one of the few clubs that stayed open after 2am in those days .

Cool. That was just before I arrived in Brighton. Thanks.

 

[alfleflo]

Going back 30+ years, So memory very hazy/vague but mate of mine says he saw him walking down his road in Burgess Hill with another chap, so stopped him for an autograph and a chat then went inside his house. Some time later (days or weeks, can’t remember), mate goes home and his mum tells him that someone of Justin’s description had knocked on my mate’s door to have a chat again with him.

Now I didn’t believe this at the time when told but mate was absolutely convinced and got the hump with my mocking of, a) of the original meeting and b) JF’s call at his house.

Next time I bump into this mate, I’ll see if he recalls anymore.

Interesting tale, I can see why you wouldn't believe him, lol! Let me know if your mate remembers any more, thank you.

 

[alfleflo]

If he did, it wasn't there. It would have been late 86 or early 87. Looking at the yellow man walking along the seafront in Google, I think it could have been Bedford Square.

[MENTION=41579]alfleflo[/MENTION]

A worthy note. He would only have been aged 24-26 (born 1961) when he was with the Albion. I always thought of him as older, he'd been around for quite a while.

Thanks for that. I've had a Zoom chat with a bloke who met JF via a local church, and says he visited him at his flat at the top of Regency Square.

 

[Eeyore]

Thanks for that. I've had a Zoom chat with a bloke who met JF via a local church, and says he visited him at his flat at the top of Regency Square.

Should have stuck with my first answer ! Funny how one always doubts the fog of memory.

 

[alfleflo]

Should have stuck with my first answer ! Funny how one always doubts the fog of memory.

Ha ha! I can't seem to get the thumbs up to work so I'll do it here

 

[Taybha]

Cool. That was just before I arrived in Brighton. Thanks.

Actually I've now been informed it was called Bentley's not Bellamy's and she should know as she worked there .

 

[alfleflo]

Actually I've now been informed it was called Bentley's not Bellamy's and she should know as she worked there .

And later Monroes! Thanks for the clarification
I'm assuming the creme de menthe was a joke? So far everyone else has said he didn't drink alcohol
Also - roughly what date are you talking about?

 

[Dorset Seagull]

It was up west Street didn't open until 11pm and one of the few clubs that stayed open after 2am in those days .

Did that become/was Bentleys as well?

Ignore, seen the earlier reply

 

[alfleflo]

Yes - I do.

But the OP hasn't responded to an early post asking for details of his project and if he can't be arsed to do that then I cant be arsed to tell him about Justin!

Hi! Any chance of hearing those memories? Ta

 

[papajaff]

Haven't read all this thread but I get very sad when I think about Justin. He was very much alone in his world which was basically a human being trapped in a body that so sadly wasn't accepted just 3 decades ago. And seems like it never will be with his brother John who I have absolutely no time or respect for. That documentary was shocking for me.

The fact that in 2020 we still don't have any gay footballers able to live as they should is, once again, sad beyond belief.

Justin said that he felt so comfortable when he came to Brighton as he was accepted. As a straight man myself, that made me feel so proud of my hometown.

RIP Justin, you were a fabulous footballer and human being. X

 

[alfleflo]

Thanks for your input

Seriously, thank you to everyone who talked to me about Justin Fashanu. I would have liked to include more of your memories in the article but there was a word limit for the magazine. Anyone interested can read it here https://issuu.com/gscene/docs/10_gscene_oct2020/s/11057319