So there I was, a young lass in a sleepy Cotswold village in 1983, when I was told the family was moving to Sussex. Brighton, in fact. A bit scary, a big adventure. In those days, one of the highlights of the year was FA Cup Final day, a bit like Christmas, where we gathered around the TV with a few drinks. No regular football on the TV. No Sky. Just Match of the Day on a Saturday night.
1983. Brighton were in the FA Cup Final and they were in the First Division. Wow, this would be good. I could have my own team to follow and support. I was so excited as I loved football, a bit unusual for a female back then, and the fact that they lost the Cup Final and also were relegated didn’t matter.
In July 1983, we moved down and I started my love affair with the Albion. Over the years I’ve made good friends, met and married a fellow fan, served numerous pints to some of you in the Hove Park Tavern, laughed and cried, sang myself hoarse and was at the game that secured the return to the top flight.
So why is it my fault? I forgot to say. I’m moving away. In June. To Australia. To join my daughter who was a Junior Seagull back in the day. Who got up at 2.30 am last weekend to watch the game with a few other Seagulls Downunder in the pub.
To answer a question I’ve heard recently, I was there when we were sh1t, but I won’t be there now we’re back at the top.
Well, not in body but a little piece of my heart will remain. Forever.
1983. Brighton were in the FA Cup Final and they were in the First Division. Wow, this would be good. I could have my own team to follow and support. I was so excited as I loved football, a bit unusual for a female back then, and the fact that they lost the Cup Final and also were relegated didn’t matter.
In July 1983, we moved down and I started my love affair with the Albion. Over the years I’ve made good friends, met and married a fellow fan, served numerous pints to some of you in the Hove Park Tavern, laughed and cried, sang myself hoarse and was at the game that secured the return to the top flight.
So why is it my fault? I forgot to say. I’m moving away. In June. To Australia. To join my daughter who was a Junior Seagull back in the day. Who got up at 2.30 am last weekend to watch the game with a few other Seagulls Downunder in the pub.
To answer a question I’ve heard recently, I was there when we were sh1t, but I won’t be there now we’re back at the top.
Well, not in body but a little piece of my heart will remain. Forever.
