Unlikely Albion Fans

[shingle]

When I was 17 back in 1977, I had a job for a couple of years as a commis waiter at the now defunct Wheelers Fish Restaurant in the Lanes. The Manager was a Mr Tony who had a ferocious temper and was tough but fair.

For some reason that I could never fathom he loved the Albion, I say never fathom because he was Spanish and had lived in the town since he had come over from Spain looking for work. He was a season ticket holder in the West Stand at the Goldstone and as Saturday lunchtimes were often busy in the Restaurant, more often than not he would give me his ST and let me off early so as I could go and watch the game. This was a welcome change from my usual spot in the NS.

Such was his passion for the club the other waiters who had no interest in football would tell me that they would always check the Albion's result on Grandstand so that when they returned for the evening shift they knew what Mr Tony's mood would be like for the night. If we had lost you could guarantee he would be in a foul mood.

Mr Tony died a few years ago and never got to see the Amex. He was the only person that I thought of as Sussex by the Sea was sung at the first match v Donny at the Amex.

Mr Tony

 

[DNB_Seagull]

RIP Mr Tony

 

[Bill Cassidy's tie up]

Nice story Mr Tony would have loved the last couple of seasons

 

[Joe Nobody]

We are lucky to support a club with such an interesting history. Sussex / BHA should be proud. Win or lose we all need to keep the passion. Without it there is no point in going. It just needs to be kept affordable.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Great story. I'm first generation Albion fan. The folks had no ties to Sussex, but ended up here via Bristol, London, New Zealand. Pleased they ended up here. I love Sussex.

 

[DumLum]

X x x x

 

[DumLum]

Great story. I'm first generation Albion fan. The folks had no ties to Sussex, but ended up here via Bristol, London, New Zealand. Pleased they ended up here. I love Sussex.

Jcl.

 

[oneillco]

I think I remember Mr Tony. Anyway, good story well told..!

 

[Sheebo]

Legend - RIP Mr Tony the Spaniard.

 

[W.C.]

nice story, thanks for that

RIP Spanish Tone

 

[Jbanged]

Lovely story

 

[Phat Baz 68]

Love little stories like this RIP Mr Tony

 

[wigman]

Great read.

 

[Eeyore]

When I was 17 back in 1977, I had a job for a couple of years as a commis waiter at the now defunct Wheelers Fish Restaurant in the Lanes. The Manager was a Mr Tony who had a ferocious temper and was tough but fair.

For some reason that I could never fathom he loved the Albion, I say never fathom because he was Spanish and had lived in the town since he had come over from Spain looking for work. He was a season ticket holder in the West Stand at the Goldstone and as Saturday lunchtimes were often busy in the Restaurant, more often than not he would give me his ST and let me off early so as I could go and watch the game. This was a welcome change from my usual spot in the NS.

Such was his passion for the club the other waiters who had no interest in football would tell me that they would always check the Albion's result on Grandstand so that when they returned for the evening shift they knew what Mr Tony's mood would be like for the night. If we had lost you could guarantee he would be in a foul mood.

Mr Tony died a few years ago and never got to see the Amex. He was the only person that I thought of as Sussex by the Sea was sung at the first match v Donny at the Amex.

Mr Tony

So 1977 would have been one of the better years to work for him...

 

[shingle]

So 1977 would have been one of the better years to work for him...

Yeah, thinking back on it