Why I can't go to Cardiff

[On the Left Wing]

Let me tell you a story .....
I was separated from my daughter at birth (19 years ago) due to a split with my former partner. It was heartbreaking as my wee girl then grew up with no contact with me until last September.
I spent 18 years of my life thinking of her every day and clutching to two photo's I had managed to obtain of her when she was just 5 years old!
Then suddenly due to a quirk of fate we were reunited.
It transpired that she had grown up knowing nothing about me and thinking some other guy was her father.
The reunion was tearful and splendid and we have spent the past nine months getting to know each other from scratch - even though she lives 280 miles away.
I love her to bits.
This is the same daughter I took to her first footie match at Sheff Wed a few weeks back.
She has just phoned to say she is coming to stay this weekend and it will be one of our last chances to spend a long weekend together before she goes to Uni next September.
I am afraid my love for the Albion is absolute but my love for my daughter is even greater.
I have had to make a life decision and am giving my ticket for Cardiff to my son Ben who has promised to cheer for two.
Those who are parents may understand .....

 

[Wozza]

Why didn't you get her a ticket too?

 

[Marc]

Cant argue with that mate, not many things would get in the way of a trip to Cardiff but that one certainly is worth it, I'll drink a pre-match for you and sing aswell.

Never Fear...The Albion Are Always Here

 

[Braders]

blooming hell *swells up* ,you 1000,000% made the right decision

 

[Simster]

Wozza, behave mate.

OTLW, I certainly do understand.

 

[On the Left Wing]

Thanks guys .... thanks Braders in partiular ... you are all mates .... I am gonna drag her to a pub on Sunday - she can borrow a shirt from my collection - when we can do some father daughter bonding over some beers and an Albion victory

 

[Digweeds Trousers]

I was adopted and have recently been re-united with a mother I never even knew - 30 years ago. I do not think anyone with any sense of duty or human understanding would even expect an explanation from you on this.

I have seen your posts on this site and think all here would never doubt your devotion to the Albion - but this is different. I hope that this weekend brings you everything you hope for.

Remember you cannot turn back time. The Albion will be here on Monday (as a 1st division club!)

But not even a weekend in Cardiff can compete with finding the last 19 years of your life.

Good luck!!

 

[Safeway]

Don't need to be a parent to know you've made the right decision.

 

[Lammy]

Puts it all in perspective...

 

[Braders]

Thanks guys .... thanks Braders in partiular ...

its nothing , if i was in the same situation i would of wanted to spend as much time with her as poss

hopefully we'll be up in cardiff next season , not the same but...

 

[On the Left Wing]

Digweeds and all of you .... don't look this way cos I am crying .... thanks guys

have bounced the old Sheff Wed post with her piccy on ....

SEAGULLS

 

[Dave the OAP]

The more I read your posts, the more I think you are a "bloody nice bloke"

Nice one mate. I will give em a special cheer for the Mile Oak Mafia just for you.

 

[Easy 10]

It must be a great thrill to discover that your daughter is just as keen to make up for lost time as your are OTLW, and I don't blame you at all for wanting to spend every possible second with her after all these years...some things ARE more important than football, even though it doesn't seem like it sometimes.

What a moving story. Have a great weekend, and try to have her fully trained up in the ways of the Albion by the time next season rolls round. I think an Albion shirt would be a marvellous gift for her to wear at Uni - it'd remind her of you every time.

 

[Trotster]

We will sing for you! you made the right decision - good luck!!

 

[On the Left Wing]

E10... what a great idea. May wait and see whether we get a new shirt for 2004-05 and give it to her before she goes to Uni.

Thanks too Simster, Dave and Co .... there are some terrific people on NSC. But being a Brighton fan we all know how special Brighton fans are

Tell you what I will spend as much time watching for you guys and the banners as I will concentrating on the match

 

[On the Left Wing]

We will sing for you! you made the right decision - good luck!!

Thanks too Trots, Lammy, Safeway and anyone else I may have missed .... it's amazing how you become fond of people who you have never really met and only bumped into at away matches a few times ....

Tanya is going to Uni at Plymouth .... already the thought of next season in Div 1 is beginning to get rather more exciting

 

[Wozza]

Sorry, didn't mean to sound callous. Understandable putting family first, especially in such circumstances.

 

[Turkey]

Have a quality weekend mate.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Blimey - you don't need that good a reason to spend time with your daughter. I had a day out with my daughter on the day of the Swindon away match. I offered the chance of Swindon away but she preferred to go to London (where did I go wrong?). We had a lovely day just mooching around Camden Lock and the London parks.




Of course had it been the home match she'd have been on her own.


You know you have made the right decision.

 

[Hiney]

Brilliant story mate - my wife is adopted and 5 years ago found her birth family - Mum, 2 brothers and a sister. Since she found them her life has been full of joy and happiness so I can see what you are going through. You have a lot of catching up to do and I guarantee you will love every minute of it.

Brighton and Hove Albion is in the blood of all of us and we all go to great lengths to demonstrate our devotion to the blue and white cause.

Family however, is a different kettle of fish and something that brings out a whole different set of emotions.

You will have a great weekend, regardless of what goes on in Cardiff and I for one will raise a glass to you both from a bar in Puerta Pollensa at around 3pm on Sunday.

Marvellous, marvellous scenes

BTW, you are right, Braders is a top bloke