Brighton and Hove Albion have apologised to supporters for the fiasco surrounding ticket sales for next week's Second Division Play Off Final in Cardiff. Thousands of fans had to queue all day to book their seats at the showpiece event. At Withdean Stadium, lines snaked all around the huge Park and Ride car park, while the centre of Brighton was jammed with fans decked out in blue and white.
Many season ticket holders complained that they had not been given priority for next week's match, the climax of the club's season. Victory against Bristol City will secure promotion to the First Division.
Martin Perry, the club's Chief Executive, said, "We are very sorry that the ticketing has been so inconvenient for so many people. I have instructed our manager Mark McGhee that young Adam Virgo will not play for this club again. His winner in the semi-final has caused a lot of hassle for everyone. We will be contacting Swindon and offering them the chance to take our place at Cardiff as a gesture of goodwill".
His stance was backed by Kerry Mayo, a veteran of the Albion team. "It was so much better in the old days when we were playing clubs like Hereford to stay in the Football League. Nobody had a reason to moan back then. There were none of these queues or traffic problems. Really, the club has fallen apart over the past few seasons what with the two championships in a row and everything. Now they're expecting fans to traipse all the way to the national stadium as well - it's beyond a joke".
The ticket problems are a blow to Brighton's plans for a new stadium at Falmer. The club is to reconsider the proposals as it's become clear that there are many new supporters who would want to use the ground. Chairman Dick Knight revealed, "When we drew up the plans it never occurred to us that all these people would want to go to the games every week. We are a cosy little club and I'm not sure all these outsiders are welcome. The next thing you know, we'll have lots of money coming in and willl be able to buy players and play to full houses every week. It's dreadful".
News In Brief
*Brighton and Hove Council phone lines were jammed yesterday with complaints of a loud whining noise which could be heard all over the city. The first complaints were received around nine o'clock in the morning and went on long into the night. The source is not yet known.
Many season ticket holders complained that they had not been given priority for next week's match, the climax of the club's season. Victory against Bristol City will secure promotion to the First Division.
Martin Perry, the club's Chief Executive, said, "We are very sorry that the ticketing has been so inconvenient for so many people. I have instructed our manager Mark McGhee that young Adam Virgo will not play for this club again. His winner in the semi-final has caused a lot of hassle for everyone. We will be contacting Swindon and offering them the chance to take our place at Cardiff as a gesture of goodwill".
His stance was backed by Kerry Mayo, a veteran of the Albion team. "It was so much better in the old days when we were playing clubs like Hereford to stay in the Football League. Nobody had a reason to moan back then. There were none of these queues or traffic problems. Really, the club has fallen apart over the past few seasons what with the two championships in a row and everything. Now they're expecting fans to traipse all the way to the national stadium as well - it's beyond a joke".
The ticket problems are a blow to Brighton's plans for a new stadium at Falmer. The club is to reconsider the proposals as it's become clear that there are many new supporters who would want to use the ground. Chairman Dick Knight revealed, "When we drew up the plans it never occurred to us that all these people would want to go to the games every week. We are a cosy little club and I'm not sure all these outsiders are welcome. The next thing you know, we'll have lots of money coming in and willl be able to buy players and play to full houses every week. It's dreadful".
News In Brief
*Brighton and Hove Council phone lines were jammed yesterday with complaints of a loud whining noise which could be heard all over the city. The first complaints were received around nine o'clock in the morning and went on long into the night. The source is not yet known.
