[Albion] 25 years ago today

Weststander said:

Crikey, half the wins of all our rivals, a negative GD of triple theirs.

What a turnaround orchestrated by Gritt!

Click to expand...

Cowfold Seagull said:

So sad that effectively Gritty was little more than a half season wonder at the Albion, and that he couldn't keep the heroics going at the outpost that was Gillingham.

Still let's all just be forever grateful for what he did for our club, and salute him for the legend that he undoubtably is.

Click to expand...

Brovion said:

Why? I appreciate that us older fans (I've been watching the Albion since 1966) will always look back at that era and marvel at the transformation, but there is a generation of fans now who look back on the 'war years' with almost the same detachment as they look back at the Napoleonic era.

My neighbour and his sons are a good example. They're Amex STHs but only did they not go to the Goldstone or Gillingham - they didn't even go to Withdean. He's a Forest fan who did try to get his boys to follow in his footsteps, but swept along by the general enthusiasm when the Amex opened they wanted to follow their local club and he gave in. Their sole experience is the Amex era and they have different points of reference to me. Indeed if I try and talk to them about Archer etc their eyes glaze over and they try to get away from the mad old man next door banging on about the War.

Click to expand...

Cowfold Seagull said:

So sad that effectively Gritty was little more than a half season wonder at the Albion, and that he couldn't keep the heroics going at the outpost that was Gillingham.

Still let's all just be forever grateful for what he did for our club, and salute him for the legend that he undoubtably is.

Click to expand...

Seagull said:

Sat down in the middle of the Old Shoreham Rd after this match with a bunch of others (anyone?!) then there was a crowd baying for the blood of Archer & Belotti outside the West Stand and a window got smashed. The ground already sold, we feared it was the end, a real low point, but an evening I often refer to if a football chat turns to the Albion's troubles of the past and the amazing rise from the ashes.

Click to expand...

dejavuatbtn said:

Yes, I wrote to him after his dismissal and received the following reply -

View attachment 142733

That was dated 15 March 1998.

What a nice bloke he is.

Click to expand...

Cowfold Seagull said:

Wonderful, l hope you cherish that letter. It says a lot about the man to acknowledge a letter from a fan, after he has been dismissed by his employer.

Click to expand...

dejavuatbtn said:

Yes, I wrote to him after his dismissal and received the following reply -

View attachment 142733

That was dated 15 March 1998.

What a nice bloke he is.

Click to expand...

Nobby Cybergoat said:

Especially he as was properly booed, during his introduction to the fans. It was before a match had been completed!

Click to expand...