The new football season is almost upon us, and this weekend we look forward to our first home pre-season friendly with Spanish La Liga outfit Villarreal at the American Express Community Stadium followed by Premier League Norwich City on Tuesday evening.
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Please remember that Saturday's match has an evening kick-off of 7.30pm; the late kick-off is to allow many of our fans who have tickets for the Sussex v Australia match at Hove to attend both games. It also means we have been able to invite the Australians as our guests tonight.
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These games are the first opportunity to welcome our new head coach Oscar Garcia and his backroom team to the Amex, and to see the team take their first steps at home under his guidance as they prepare for the new season, which kicks off at Leeds on Saturday 3rd August.
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If you have friends or family who wish to attend, the very good value double-ticket is still available for both matches, priced £20 for adults and £10 for under-16s (booking fee applies), but please note this does not include the usual travel voucher system in operation for our Football League fixtures.NB: There are a high number of ticket collections for the game and fans are advised to arrive early to collect their ticket.
All the latest team news, travel details and any further match information will be available at www.seagulls.co.uk, on our official Facebook page and via the club's official twitter feed @OfficialBHAFC.
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Travel Guide……Parking available
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As these are pre-season matches we are not expecting full capacity crowds, so in order to keep ticket prices as low as possible, the club has not implemented a full travel plan for either friendly fixture.
In summary this means that the park-and-ride sites will not be in operation, and fans using public transport should pay for a ticket to and from the stadium.
Seagull Travel and other coach operators are running services. Fans should check times and availability via their respective websites.
There is car parking available at the Bridge car park. Supporters can book parking online or by calling 0844 324 6282 and selecting option 6 supporter services. Parking is available to pre book up until 5pm today. Price is £10. The Bridge car park is just a few minutes' walk from the Amex and is just £10 for this game.
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Food and Drink
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To celebrate the visit of our first International opposition at the Amex we have a special limited-edition chicken-and-chorizo pie from Piglet's Pantry. Remember these specials are limited – so if you wish to sample these special pies, make sure you get to the Amex early to avoid disappointment!
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Guinness is available in the North Stand kiosks and in the West Stand Lower and Upper via mobile units; while Dark Star is also available in the East Stand Lower as requested by fans – and if sales go well the club plan to continue stocking both products next season.
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Get your copy of Seagull
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Our matchday programme Seagull is back with a new look, as a two-game special, for the bargain price of £2.50. New head coach Oscar Garcia looks forward to the games against Villarreal and Norwich City while Andrea Orlandi reveals the buzz among the Albion squad this summer and talks about the state of the game in La Liga at the moment. Albion’s Spanish right back, Bruno, gives us the lowdown on Saturday's opponents Villarreal.
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Also in this double issue, Paul Barber reflects on an eventful summer and former Canary Andrew Crofts looks back on his time at Norwich and forward to this season. Ex-Seagull Elliott Bennett also looks forward to a happy homecoming, plus there's a comprehensive round-up of all four pre-season victories.
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Matchday Retail
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The brand new 2013 home and away shirts are on sale now and fans can have their name and number, or that of their favourite player, added to their shirt while-you-wait at either the North Stand cabin or the main Amex Store.
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The superstore will be open right up until kick-off and will re-open again directly after the match for fans wishing to purchase the new shirts and/or have printing added to their existing shirts.
*
The East Stand shop and the mobile units in both the West and North Stands will also be open before the match but these units will not be open after the Villarreal or Norwich pre-season games.
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E-cash top-up is available at the Seagulls Superstore, the East Stand shop and also the mobile units in front of the West and North stands. All units will be open after the game.
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Seagulls e-cash Guide
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We will be operating a new e-cash system from the first competitive match of the season, against Newport County, on Tuesday 6th August, which will be more rewarding to those fans arriving earlier and staying later. Full details are in the season-ticket holders' letters and will be fully communicated via the club website ahead of the Newport County match, but for the two friendly fixtures, we will be giving the flat-rate 10% cash back to all those paying by e-cash with their smart cards.
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By using your smart card to buy food and drink within the stadium, or merchandise in the Seagulls Stores, you will receive 10% cash back - and queuing time is significantly reduced. If you've not done it before, here is how you do it:
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1. Visit the online Seagulls e-cash page via the fan tab at www.seagulls.co.uk
2. Log in using your unique fan number, card number and password
3. Click top up in the My Details section, and follow the on-screen instructions
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Once Seagulls e-cash is loaded, you are ready to go and use your card to pay for food, drink and in the stores!
*
NB: After topping up your card (over the counter or online) you will need to activate the cash by holding your card on one of the smart card readers for approximately 15 seconds.
Original article
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Please remember that Saturday's match has an evening kick-off of 7.30pm; the late kick-off is to allow many of our fans who have tickets for the Sussex v Australia match at Hove to attend both games. It also means we have been able to invite the Australians as our guests tonight.
*
These games are the first opportunity to welcome our new head coach Oscar Garcia and his backroom team to the Amex, and to see the team take their first steps at home under his guidance as they prepare for the new season, which kicks off at Leeds on Saturday 3rd August.
*
If you have friends or family who wish to attend, the very good value double-ticket is still available for both matches, priced £20 for adults and £10 for under-16s (booking fee applies), but please note this does not include the usual travel voucher system in operation for our Football League fixtures.NB: There are a high number of ticket collections for the game and fans are advised to arrive early to collect their ticket.
All the latest team news, travel details and any further match information will be available at www.seagulls.co.uk, on our official Facebook page and via the club's official twitter feed @OfficialBHAFC.
*
Travel Guide……Parking available
*
As these are pre-season matches we are not expecting full capacity crowds, so in order to keep ticket prices as low as possible, the club has not implemented a full travel plan for either friendly fixture.
In summary this means that the park-and-ride sites will not be in operation, and fans using public transport should pay for a ticket to and from the stadium.
Seagull Travel and other coach operators are running services. Fans should check times and availability via their respective websites.
There is car parking available at the Bridge car park. Supporters can book parking online or by calling 0844 324 6282 and selecting option 6 supporter services. Parking is available to pre book up until 5pm today. Price is £10. The Bridge car park is just a few minutes' walk from the Amex and is just £10 for this game.
*
Food and Drink
*
To celebrate the visit of our first International opposition at the Amex we have a special limited-edition chicken-and-chorizo pie from Piglet's Pantry. Remember these specials are limited – so if you wish to sample these special pies, make sure you get to the Amex early to avoid disappointment!
*
Guinness is available in the North Stand kiosks and in the West Stand Lower and Upper via mobile units; while Dark Star is also available in the East Stand Lower as requested by fans – and if sales go well the club plan to continue stocking both products next season.
*
Get your copy of Seagull
*
Our matchday programme Seagull is back with a new look, as a two-game special, for the bargain price of £2.50. New head coach Oscar Garcia looks forward to the games against Villarreal and Norwich City while Andrea Orlandi reveals the buzz among the Albion squad this summer and talks about the state of the game in La Liga at the moment. Albion’s Spanish right back, Bruno, gives us the lowdown on Saturday's opponents Villarreal.
*
Also in this double issue, Paul Barber reflects on an eventful summer and former Canary Andrew Crofts looks back on his time at Norwich and forward to this season. Ex-Seagull Elliott Bennett also looks forward to a happy homecoming, plus there's a comprehensive round-up of all four pre-season victories.
*
Matchday Retail
*
The brand new 2013 home and away shirts are on sale now and fans can have their name and number, or that of their favourite player, added to their shirt while-you-wait at either the North Stand cabin or the main Amex Store.
*
The superstore will be open right up until kick-off and will re-open again directly after the match for fans wishing to purchase the new shirts and/or have printing added to their existing shirts.
*
The East Stand shop and the mobile units in both the West and North Stands will also be open before the match but these units will not be open after the Villarreal or Norwich pre-season games.
*
E-cash top-up is available at the Seagulls Superstore, the East Stand shop and also the mobile units in front of the West and North stands. All units will be open after the game.
*
Seagulls e-cash Guide
*
We will be operating a new e-cash system from the first competitive match of the season, against Newport County, on Tuesday 6th August, which will be more rewarding to those fans arriving earlier and staying later. Full details are in the season-ticket holders' letters and will be fully communicated via the club website ahead of the Newport County match, but for the two friendly fixtures, we will be giving the flat-rate 10% cash back to all those paying by e-cash with their smart cards.
*
By using your smart card to buy food and drink within the stadium, or merchandise in the Seagulls Stores, you will receive 10% cash back - and queuing time is significantly reduced. If you've not done it before, here is how you do it:
*
1. Visit the online Seagulls e-cash page via the fan tab at www.seagulls.co.uk
2. Log in using your unique fan number, card number and password
3. Click top up in the My Details section, and follow the on-screen instructions
*
Once Seagulls e-cash is loaded, you are ready to go and use your card to pay for food, drink and in the stores!
*
NB: After topping up your card (over the counter or online) you will need to activate the cash by holding your card on one of the smart card readers for approximately 15 seconds.
Original article