Boxing Clever! Appreciating It So Much More.” Completely ‘Albionise’ the on Talksport’S Hawksbee & Jacobs All of This Has Come, of Course, at a Concourses

Home , BBC Sussex, Bobby Zamora, Bob Latchford, Tommy Elphick, Tony Bloom

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I don’t think people realised just Martin agrees modern stadiums can Mike Ward is the TV what they’d be getting. To see them sometimes be soulless, but says: Critic of the Daily Martin’s now, the emotion it provokes, is “We’re having a competition for local Star and the Daily fantastic. And the fact people have artists, including fans, to provide Express Saturday fought for it so hard means they’re artwork we can put on the walls. It’ll Magazine. Hear him Boxing Clever! appreciating it so much more.” completely ‘Albionise’ the on talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Jacobs All of this has come, of course, at a concourses. I’ve not seen that done Show every Monday at 3pm. More at There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action on a Saturday. Journalist Mike tricky time for the building industry. anywhere to this extent.” www.mikeward.tv Ward goes behind the scenes at Albion to discover who’s helping to make the club tick. “The recession,” Martin admits, “hit at After so many years of collective First up, Chief Executive and new stadium supremo Martin Perry… just the wrong moment. We could toil, then, the Falmer dream is coming have been in a situation where we’d true. But come on, Martin, be honest HERE’S a little-known fact for you. got the go-ahead but couldn’t – you’ll miss dear old Withdean Design-wise, the origins of our actually move.” just a smidgen, won’t you? swish new state-of-the-art But, for once, good fortune has “I won’t,” he insists. “I recognise American Express Community been on the project’s side. it’s an indelible part of our Stadium at Falmer – or the Amex, “I look back now and think we’re so history. We wouldn’t have as we’re now very happy to call it – lucky,” he adds. “Tony Bloom being survived without it, and dates back half a century. where he was at the right moment – we’ve had some great And the original design was unbelievable, just unbelievable.” football moments here. But fashioned from wooden crates. Martin is also proud of the way the I won’t shed a tear when I’ll let Martin Perry explain, seeing as club has engaged with those who’d we go. it’s the Albion’s Chief Executive, sat initially opposed the project. “In “I will, however, shed a chatting with me in the stadium fairness to Lewes District Council, tear when we kick off at project office at Withdean (yes, they’ve been tremendous – utterly the new stadium. That first Withdean), who’s just imparted this professional. day will be unreal.” extraordinary piece of information. “We’ve also had monthly meetings “Even as a kid I’d shown an aptitude with residents. They’ve even been on for building things, which was why my a stadium tour. I think people have dad decided I should go to technical It was from that address (“later they he’d been heavily involved in the realised it’s superb. Much of the college,” Martin tells me. “In those changed it to Tivoli Crescent North, development of what’s now called opposition has melted away. I’m sure days you used to bring fruit and veg which is awful”) that Martin says he the Galpharm Stadium, to help his some of the Falmer villagers will be home from the greengrocer in these first remembers hearing the distant hometown club in their hour of need. buying season tickets!” wooden boxes, most of which got roar of the Goldstone. And it Except it wouldn’t turn out to be an Martin points out that the thrown on the fire. wouldn’t be long before he joined the hour. “This stadium has now been part stadium will out-spec even “I used to collect the boxes and Albion faithful. “One of the players of my life for 14 years,” he reflects. “I Wembley in many regards – build things in our back garden – one came into my school,” he recalls, “and live, eat, breathe and sleep it.” and no, not just the pitch. of which was this structure that rose I was hooked from that moment on...” The difference now, of course, is it’s “We have great facilities, up and had an arch across. Honestly! Fast-forward a good many years, to no longer merely a vision. It’s there finished to a high standard. “So you could say the start of this 1996, and Martin took a call that for real. Or a fair chunk of it is. More We’ll have cutting-edge stadium was 50-odd years ago, in the would change his life – inviting him than enough to make jaws hit the matchday TV, nearly all back garden of 21 Hangleton Road, back down from Huddersfield, where floor. the hospitality suites Brighton!” “It was 10 years ago that we sat in will have a pitch view the architect’s office and developed – and even coming “I don’t think people this design concept, simulating the into the ground will roll of the Downs. To see it actually be a more pleasant realised just what they’d appear is unbelievably exciting. experience. Just “But what’s most thrilling is the swipe you card be getting. To see them reaction of fans, and of the city in through the general. Everyone who sees it thinks, stainless steel now, the emotion it ‘Oh, wow!’ They’d seen the images, barrier and you’ll provokes, is fantastic” but no image could do it justice. be in.”

28 29 The MIke ward Mike Ward is the TV Critic of the Daily Star and the Daily Express Saturday Magazine. Hear him on InTervIew talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Jacobs Show every Monday at 3pm. More at www.mikewardblogs.com

which, it had been discovered in 1995, the club’s directors had quietly yet scandalously removed a no-profit clause, meaning they could legally close the club down if they so wished, and The drama of cash in from selling the Goldstone]. “It wasn’t that the audience actually made any noise,” Mark recalls, “but I supporting the albion could literally feel their anger. It was as if I’d been walloped by a tropical storm. There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. Mike Ward unearths I’d never felt anything like it.” the individuals who have one thing in common... a love of the Albion Mark, who went on to star in Blue & White Christmas at Brighton’s Komedia, You may not have spotted his name since his dad first took him along, clown character who appeared in a believes football and theatre, handled on the team sheet but Mark aged seven, to the Goldstone. succession of guises as the story correctly, really can mix. “It’s often Brailsford knows exactly what it’s This was back during Brian Clough’s evolved and helped link the plot. The tricky,” he concedes, “because the drama like to play in front of a capacity brief reign. “I remember Dad pointing play told the Albion’s story from the in sport is traditionally on the pitch, but crowd of passionate Albion fans. Clough out to me,” Mark recalls, “and club’s inception 100 years earlier to if you use the right dramatic devices it He has, you might say, felt the love. saying, ‘See that man? He’s very the great escape at Hereford, with the can be wonderfully effective. “There was one night,” he recalls, famous. He’s going to do great things writers playing the role of two fans “Brighton Till I Die attracted people “when this big, tattooed bloke, really for us . . .’” heading to that extraordinary fixture. who’d otherwise never think of going to scary looking, came up to me the theatre. I think that’s fantastic.” afterwards, grabbed me in a headlock The Treason Show (refreshed with new and cried, ‘I loved that!’” “I remember dad songs and sketches every couple of Nice to make an impression, I guess. months – it celebrates its 10th This wasn’t after a match at pointing Clough out to me anniversary this year), has allowed Mark Withdean, mind you. Nor at an actual further opportunity, as director, writer football ground. and saying, ‘he’s going to and performer, to indulge his Albion This was at Sussex University’s do great things for us’” passion, in between the main bits where Gardner Arts Centre, as it then was – the show pokes fun at politicians and just a stone’s throw away from where such like. the glorious Amex is now rising – and Mark grew accustomed to “When Paul and Dave asked me if I’d “We’ve done songs about Bobby where Mark was performing in a play disappointments at an early age, then. like to be involved,” he recalls, “I bit Zamora, Micky Adams, Dick Knight, before a packed house of 400. It was But he’s never lost his love for his local their hands off. Falmer, you name it. the summer of 2001, the Albion’s side – and feels particularly strongly “I loved the epic nature of the story “But my favourite was actually a sketch centenary year. about its links with its community. in any case, but because it was the we did called News 2024, looking into Actually, I say “a play”. In fact, Mark Indeed, press him on the subject of Albion and I remember the dark days the future. That was great fun! describes his role in Brighton Till I Die , Premier League football – and of the mid-90s so vividly, it meant “‘Meanwhile,’ we had the newsreader the Albion-themed drama penned by particularly those who run the game at everything. say, ‘Champions League winners Brighton writers Paul Hodson and Dave Blake, that level – and he becomes... well, “I’d been so upset by what was and Hove Albion collected their eighth as “by a distance, the best acting job spectacularly libellous, to be honest. happening. Everyone was. But until trophy tonight by beating Barcelona 10-1. I’ve ever been paid for or asked to To avoid landing Seagull with a writ, that play, I hadn’t been aware of the ‘Their manager, Sir Guy Butters, said, ‘It do.” he then kindly tones down his remarks emotional power of the audience was a wonderful achievement. But You can probably figure out why. and simply states, for the record, that reaction. imagine what we could do if we finally The Shoreham-born actor – top-flight football, the way it is right “The moment that got me, literally get a stadium...’” regularly treading the boards these now, is “something I don’t really want rocked me back on my heels on our days at Brighton’s Pavilion Theatre, to watch or be a part of”. first night, was the audience’s l The Treason Show is at the Pavilion where his critically acclaimed satirical Mark’s role in Brighton Till I Die, response when the first Mr Albion Theatre, New Road, Brighton, on Friday hit The Treason Show takes an ever- which ran for five very successful character barked out the words ‘the Sept 17 and Saturday Sept 18. For tickets, changing pop at those in the news – nights nine summers ago, was that of articles of association’.” [This referred call 01273 709709 or go to has been passionate about the club Mr Albion, a Shakespearean-type to the legal documentation from www.brightondome.org

would Falmer have happened via any other route than the one we were forced down? Grounds for “No,” Paul concedes, having mulled this over for a few moments, “I don’t think it would. If we’d already had a success ground, I think it would have been impossible in this NIMBY age. There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. “Whatever we may feel about Withdean, we wouldn’t have got Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing Falmer without it. It’s been our Trojan in common... a love of the Albion Horse.” As for the battle, Paul readily admits To be honest, I’d expected to find Paul hasn’t secured this single- we’ve always struggled, and yet he’ll miss it. “We achieved so much Paul Samrah a wee bit more upbeat handedly, of course, but as chairman suddenly we’ve got this magnificent together,” he reflects. “That's the than this. Maybe not exactly of the Falmer For All campaign, he’s temple, effectively a monument to proudest thing. What we’ve done has turning cartwheels – he is, let’s not been the figurehead for one of everyone who’s ever done their bit to been a blueprint for other clubs. forget, a chartered accountant – football’s most extraordinary off-field help us achieve it. “I was never naïve enough to believe but a tad more, how can I put it, battles. It’s dominated his life since “That feels really strange. we could just build a stadium or buy celebratory. the dark days of the mid-90s, when “I’m sure I’ll be incredibly emotional the ground or buy the board out; I He has, after all, achieved his dream. the club was forced to leave the on the day it officially becomes our knew that was impossible, we didn’t The glorious prize for which he’s been Goldstone – and, against what at home, but to be honest I don’t think I have the money or resources. striving for what seems like forever. times have seemed insurmountable ever thought that day would come. “But unless you start battling, you He’s got Falmer. odds, it’s finally ended in glory. Even now, I still can’t quite envisage “Yes, big time. I’m now very Okay, so here’s a controversial never know what might happen. We Not the village, I should stress – So why, as we chat, does he seem a 22 players coming out on to that conscious of the next generation, very question. For all the hideousness of did our bit, and Dick Knight came that would be greedy – but the bit subdued? pitch.” conscious that we’re not immortal. the past decade and more, could it be along – and now Tony Bloom. It’s glorious, gleaming new Amex Stadium “I’m quite nervous in a way,” he Paul also admits he’ll miss certain “It was a hell of a shock for me. I argued, albeit in a perverse way, that been like a jigsaw. that’s rising majestically alongside the confesses. “Partly because I can’t aspects of being an Albion fan these didn’t even know I was unwell, and losing the Goldstone was a long-term “Suddenly you find all the pieces A27. Stop me if I’ve mentioned it quite believe it’s happening. The past few years – “the recognising suddenly I was told I needed five blessing in disguise? In other words, and it’s complete.” before. history of this club has been that faces, the camaraderie, the fact we’re hours of open-heart surgery. a different club from everybody else “All sorts of thoughts crossed my because of what we’ve been through. mind, including, ‘My God, I'm not Paul Samrah “Having said that, I do appreciate going to see Falmer!’ that we’re moving to a 22,500-seater “It also brought home to me how stadium, so we’re bound to lose some we’ve lost so many people during the element of that. I just hope we’re years of this campaign. Once we’re at careful not to lose too much of it.” the new ground, I’d like to see a Paul also strikes me as a lot more minute’s silence for all those fans philosophical these days. And who’ve passed away while we’ve been understandably so, given what he’s fighting for Falmer.” been through these past few months. Paul admits to being a creature of Back in March, during a routine habit, like so many fans – and health check, doctors discovered two confesses that the move will take tumours on his heart. “They had to some adjustment. “I’m going to have remove them because of the threat to work out how to get there, for one of heart attacks, strokes etc.,” he thing!” he points out. “But my sons, explains, “I got about three weeks Toby, who’s five, and Sebastian, who’s notice of the operation, having felt 12, are just really excited about it. perfectly well beforehand.” They don’t understand routine and So, has that experience left him ritual. That’s something for us die- with a different perspective on life? hards.”

most pros, my body hasn’t had that constant, day-to-day pounding since my teens.” Surprisingly, though, it’s not If the suit fits... competitive matches he misses the most. It’s the training. “I do miss that buzz you get when There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. you’re outdoors every day, practising Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing what you’re good at,” he admits. “I still need to get out in the fresh air after in common... a love of the Albion I’ve been in an office all day. That’s why I got involved with Burgess Hill. Paul Rogers took six months to get etc., ensuring the club can go forward It’s like we’ve been used Lada dealers I’m first team coach there – all of the used to wearing a suit. Or, rather, to on a sound financial footing. all these years and suddenly we’ve fun and none of the aggro! wearing one again on a daily basis, “It was Dick Knight and Martin Perry got the Mercedes gig!” “But you really don’t enjoy games for the first time in over a decade. who suggested I could stay on once So, is his background as an ex- when you’re playing professionally. It’s “It was really hard,” the Albion’s I’d finished playing,” Paul explains. “I’d Albion skipper a useful asset when all about having to get a result, play Commercial Manager tells me, been thinking of going back up to dealing with clients? well, stay in the team. There’s not recalling the transition he had to work in the City – I’d kept a lot of “Yes, if you’re trying to sell a many games that you go into thinking, undergo after 11 years as a contacts there – but the idea of product, it helps if you have a first- ‘I’m really looking forward to having a professional footballer. having to sit on the train up to hand knowledge of it. Initially it really bit of fun here.’” “Obviously I’d done it when I London every day didn’t appeal one helped me get into people’s offices to So does that mean he was having worked up in town (before turning bit. So it was this or coaching. And the promote the club. It changes over the more fun when he played for Sutton pro, Paul was a commodity broker), commercial role appealed to me years, though. Long-standing fans United – the side with whom he but after all those years of training for more.” know who I am, but there’ll be a lot famously helped knock out FA Cup two hours a day – where I was He admits it’s been a tough one, of new faces who won’t.” holders Coventry City in 1989? outdoors, enjoying all that banter – however, these last few years. So presumably his job will evolve “Yes, because football at that level coming into an office environment “Withdean has made it hard to attract when we’re at the Amex? was a release, you were playing with took some getting used to. At first it sponsors,” he adds. “If people have “It’ll be similar but on a much larger your pals. Obviously you’d still want drove me mad!” wanted to entertain corporate scale,” he explains. “I’m currently to win every game, but if you lost These days, however, the former customers, they’ve preferred to spend looking after 150 people dining when you were playing for fun, you’d Seagulls captain is relishing the a few more quid and go to Chelsea or upstairs at Withdean on a matchday just look ahead to the next match. If challenge. The Albion’s imminent Arsenal or Tottenham.” in the Legends’ Lounge. At Falmer, the you lose with the Albion, it’s on the move to the Amex Stadium means But that’s changing, I take it? 1901 Club will have 2,000.” website, the news, you can never get having to attract new matchday “Yes, people are now ringing us, Paul was 43 when he finally stopped away from it.” sponsors, ball sponsors, advertisers rather than us having to ring them. playing altogether, having continued Even so, Paul must envy those to turn out for Worthing – albeit less players who’ll be able to tread the and less frequently – after calling soon-to-be hallowed Amex turf. So, time on his Albion career. So what hand on heart, would he swap his “It’s like we’ve been convinced him it was time to quit? honours for the chance to play there? “It was partly because whenever I “It would have been nice, but no – used Lada dealers played I was blocking the way for the everyone has their time. Besides, younger guys,” he says. “But also the players don’t really care about which pace of the game catches up with stadium they’re playing in. They just all these years and you. I could still play – but only if want to be part of a successful team they all agreed not to tackle me!” and winning things, wherever that Other than a broken leg when he happens to be. suddenly we’ve got was 16, Paul has managed to avoid any “It’ll be fantastic for the fans, of serious long-term injuries. “I think it’s course, and a big help in attracting the Mercedes gig!” largely because I was playing non- new signings, but for the existing league until I was 26,” he says. “Unlike players a pitch is a pitch.”

Man from The Beeb There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing in common... a love of the Albion

Johnny Cantor vividly remembers “It taught me a very important his first big match as a football lesson of commentary, especially on commentator. It was the 1976 World the radio. People are always tuning in Cup Final, in which England lost to at different times, so you need to Poland. remind them about the time, and the And before you go, ‘Hang on, what’s score, about once every 90 seconds. he on about? There was no such game It’s very important.” – no such tournament, come to that’, Equally vital for Johnny, as he’s I should maybe explain that Johnny commentating for a BBC local radio was eight years old at the time, station, is striking the right balance playing Subbuteo on the bedroom between passion – after all, most of carpet with his brother Pete. of what I’d end up doing for a living!” his listeners are rooting for the same “In our holidays, when we were Johnny’s first fixture as a bona-fide side – and professional impartiality. looked after by our grandmother, we BBC commentator, nearly a quarter of “I think it’s actually one of the most used to recreate the whole a century later, may sound a tad less difficult parts of this job,” he tells me. tournament,” recalls the man who glamorous. But at least it was real. “I obviously want Albion to do as well these days commentates on every “It was Tamworth versus Weymouth as possible in every game. But that commentaries on a matchday and the arenas and cover some memorable All of which, I guess, makes Albion match for BBC Sussex. “I think in the Conference,” he recalls. “Ben doesn’t mean I’m totally biased. I’ve pre-planning and research these fixtures. Albion’s trip to Villa Park last Withdean’s facilities seem relatively I’ve still got a ring binder somewhere Smith scored for Weymouth after 13 got to be in a position where, if they require. “As a station we cover all season was among his most recent tolerable? with all the match statistics in it. seconds – although in all the aren’t playing well, or if the game is sorts of other local sport,” he points highlights. “I was also lucky enough to “Well, the lack of atmosphere at “And I can still remember actually excitement of my first match, I particularly dull, I’m able to say that. out, “such as Eastbourne Borough and be one of the team asked to cover Withdean is obviously a real shame. crying out dramatically, right at the realised I’d forgotten to switch my I need to be able to tell it like it is. Crawley football clubs, Sussex cricket, Guimarães versus Portsmouth in But physically there’s a relatively end of that last game, ‘And there goes stopwatch on. I called the goal as 11 “From there, it’s then a question of Eastbourne Eagles speedway, Portugal,” he recalls, “the club’s first decent amount of space for us. I’m in the final whistle…’ It was clearly a sign seconds, so in fact I was pretty close! trying to be positive – asking how, for Worthing Thunder basketball and ever competitive game in Europe. a low-down position, too, which I example, they can improve on a poor Worthing rugby. That was a huge responsibility.” don’t particularly dislike. Sometimes first-half performance, and looking at “We also write hourly bulletins for But there are plenty of grounds in it’s nice to get that close to the play. why it’s gone wrong. It’s a case of output on the radio, and we have League One to bring a commentator “Having said that, I can’t wait for “I obviously want asking the same questions as the responsibility for the BBC Sport swiftly down to Earth. Falmer, naturally!” Albion fans who are listening.” website in the regions. “At Exeter, for example, you literally And thinking even beyond that, albion to do as well And the summarisers, such as “On top of this, we cover special have to sit in your seat with all the what would be Johnny Cantor’s dream former Seagulls Johnny Byrne and events, such as the tennis at equipment between your legs,” he match to commentate on? “I suppose as possible in every Warren Aspinall – are they free to be Eastbourne every year, and come up says. “You’ve got your microphone in it may sound a bit clichéd,” he says, a lot more biased? with different ideas for BBC South TV one hand, your pad on your knee, “but I’d love to do Brighton in the FA game. But that “Well, yes, in one sense they can be news. My own history is quite heavily your pen in your other hand, your Cup final. I really don’t mind who as biased as they like,” Johnny embedded in TV, so I also do stopwatch around your neck – and against. doesn’t mean I’m concedes. “But they’re actually very television pieces for them.” you’re meant to be watching the “I just love great occasions. And if it objective.” In his 10 years behind the game, taking notes and speaking to ended up being decided on penalties, Johnny’s job with BBC Sussex microphone, Johnny has been lucky the person next to you, all at the well, love them or hate them, you totally biased” involves a lot more than just Albion enough to visit some fine sporting same time.” couldn’t beat that for drama!”

your love of Brighton and Hove “As it turned out, of course, we Albion – and suggesting that his own needn’t have worried – except that club, Peterborough United, is the best the bloke who arranged the coach thing since sliced bread! had managed to book one without a “It’s the same thing at matches. I can toilet..!” Talk aLBIOn certainly hold my own.” As for her saddest moment, she Robyn believes football has become points to any of the Albion’s There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. a lot more female-friendly in recent relegations. “I’ve hated watching them Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing years. “You do get a lot more women fall apart in front of my eyes,” she going to games,” she says. “There are says. “You could tell when there were in common... a love of the Albion certain grounds in some parts of the problems in the dressing room, or country where you perhaps wouldn’t when certain players weren’t talking The first time talkSPORT’s Robyn “We were playing Newcastle,” she predominantly male environment – go into particular areas, but I think the to one another, or when there was a Schonhofer went to a match at the recalls, “It was absolutely teeming something which, nearly two decades abolition of terraces (personally, I disruptive influence. Goldstone, back in 1991, Albion’s with rain, and he kind of aquaplaned later, has stood her in good stead. never stood in the old North Stand, I “But living through that is all part of John Robinson nearly crocked across the pitch. He smacked into the “I work in a very male dominated was too scared) has generally changed the experience of supporting any club someone. He didn’t mean to, but hoarding just in front of me – where environment now,” says Robyn, who’s the dynamics of the game quite – that sense of despair you feel when that’s not the point. The person he my hands were. For a moment I been presenting talkSPORT’s news dramatically. you know they’re messing it up.” nearly crocked, as he crashed into honestly thought my fingers were bulletins for five years. “And thanks to “A lot more people are prepared to As for her most memorable an advertising board, was Robyn broken!” the fact that football has always been take their wives, girlfriends and moment work-wise, that was meeting Schonhofer. Something of a baptism of fire, in my family, I can do all the banter children.” the late George Best. “He came in to up again not so long ago (“to be thin”) Standing close to the front – then, but not enough to prevent and be sarcastic. If you can’t, you The best part of 30,000, of course, talkSPORT about a fortnight after I – and, after a freak accident last perilously close, as she was about to Robyn returning to watch the Albion wouldn’t last five minutes! turned up in Albion colours for the arrived,” she recalls, “to talk to summer, wishes to goodness she discover – 13-year-old fledgling fan on a regular basis, initially with her “You need to be able to give as old Division Two play-off final against Rodney Marsh. I think it turned out to hadn’t. Robyn was unable to swerve out of mum Stella and stepdad Nick. Just as good as you get when someone like Bristol City at Cardiff’s Millennium be George’s last ever interview. “I landed badly and broke and the way in time as Robinson careered significantly, it gave her an early Adrian Durham (the station’s Stadium in May 2004. And that’s the “It was so sad. I remember thinking dislocated my left elbow,” she recalls. towards her. lesson in how to survive in a Drivetime host) is berating you about occasion Robyn says was her happiest how desperately ill he looked.” “It’s one of the most painful as a Seagulls fans. Away from work, has Robyn played experiences I’ve ever known. I’ve just “It was my birthday weekend,” she much sport herself? “I was part of the had my third op, to replace some of recalls, “but I deliberately didn’t go school football team at Blatchington the metalwork in there. out the night before. We’d chartered Mill,” she says. “Watching the Albion “Watching footballers suffering a coach, but we were on strict had inspired me to play, but I kept injuries now, like Bobby Zamora instructions to travel sober. getting sent off! I was a little bit too breaking his leg, I immediately know “I just remember it being a really enthusiastic with the tackling – and I how that feels and the sound it bright, sunny day – and walking had absolutely no ball control. I was makes. The pain is indescribable.” through Cardiff beforehand in the rubbish!” Given her broadcasting credentials special shirts we’d had made, The best thing she did at school, and her love of the game, can Robyn dreading the possibility of that long sport-wise, was apparently envisage herself in a football-related journey home if we lost. trampolining. It’s something she took TV role some day? Apparently not. “I’d like to do it,” she says, “but I’m not built for TV, either mentally or “I was a little bit too physically! “I don’t look at myself and think I’m enthusiastic with fat, but I’m not a size zero. I did a Shocking Celebrity Moments thing for the tackling – and I Channel Five last year, talking about Tiger Woods’ affairs – and being on had absolutely no camera made me look like lard! “My problem is, I like cake and ball control” I like wine!”

“That's changed now. But obviously the new stadium is also taking up a lot of time, and whilst Martin Perry is a mid-life crisis leading the internal team, he and I are working very closely together now in terms of things like ticketing and to enjoy! access control.” So, what would Ken say was the biggest frustration of running a There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. football club, day-to-day? Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing “Probably when in a backroom sense you think you've done in common... a love of the Albion everything, as much as you can, and things on the pitch don’t reflect that. Back in his student days, Ken Brown But when it all comes together at would often enjoy a bit of football- once it can be pretty special.” related banter with his flatmate, a Given the amount of hours he Chelsea nut. That flatmate was currently dedicates to the job (driving called Sebastian Coe. from his Woking home each morning, “Then there’s my 15-year-old competition there, and we took it “Even then, Seb was a very he’s usually in the office around 8am), daughter Joy, who’s very busy with a very seriously. I think the scariest passionate Chelsea fan,” recalls the Ken must relish the chance to get whole range of things, besides thing we played was mixed hockey – Albion’s managing director, “so we home and put his feet up. It sounds, preparing for her GCSEs. She plays all those hockey sticks crashing on certainly had our debates!” mind you, as if the Brown household hockey, she fences, she’s in a band, skulls and shins!” Ken was, and indeed remains, a is a pretty hectic environment in its she plays the harp, saxophone, cello, So did he play Seb Coe at anything? proud Evertonian, having supported own right. piano. I don’t know where she gets “Not very much,” he confesses. “I the Goodison side since he was nine. “We’re a busy family,” he tells me, her musical ability from, but it’s certainly didn’t race him!” And even as a student [he and Seb “definitely not 9-to-5 types! certainly not from me! As for his latest great challenge, were at Loughborough University, “My wife Denise is a freelance “We’ve a number of friends who how important does he think the where Ken was studying economics] educational psychologist, and she has look at us and think we’re absolutely Albion’s success on the pitch this he wasn’t afraid to put his money a diary that's probably more packed mad but I think we thrive on the season will be when it comes to where his mouth was. than mine. My son Adam, who’s 19, is a chaos.” building on our fanbase at the Amex? “Before the season started in 1977,” competing tennis player on the British Ken admits that personally he’s “I think it can be very significant,” he he tells me, “I staked £1 on our striker tour, so he’s always travelling. He’s “never really excelled at any sport”. says. “There’s a growing feelgood Bob Latchford to score 30 league been all over the world as a junior, But it’s clearly not for the want of factor here at the moment and our goals – at odds of 200/1! It’s still the playing ITFs, and he’s now making the trying. profile is beginning to rise biggest football win I’ve ever had. “There weren't many sleepless “The resources now that are transition to adult. So he's in and “ I did virtually all sports at significantly. That was a lot of money in those nights beforehand, but there were a required to run a football club around, and then he's gone again for a Loughborough,” he recalls. “There was “We’ve all been working incredibly days.” few after.” successfully are huge, so we’re while, and then he's back again. a very strong intramural sporting hard, in every area of the club, to Despite his passion for the game, Ken, who joined the Albion three incredibly lucky to have the Chairman drive things forward and there's a real however, Ken never imagined he’d end years ago, points out that football is we have, with the commitment he's sense that it’s starting to come up running a football club. “Before “like no other business”. shown to the club.” together. I joined Millwall eight years ago, I’d “There's the playing side of it, the And since Tony Bloom took over, it “There are times “The beauty of football is that if you spent 23 years in financial services,” retail side of it, the stadium seems, Ken’s responsibilities have also get it right it’s a fantastic feeling. Soon he explains, “so it was a huge learning management side, there's catering, expanded. “When I arrived, in 2007, when it’s absolute after I joined Millwall we got to the curve.” conferencing etc – and obviously I didn’t have any involvement at all Cup Final and into Europe. That felt And a pretty bold change of we’re about to go into the brave new with the playing squad,” he explains. bedlam, there are fabulous and I’d love to replicate it. direction, career-wise? world at the Amex. There are times “That’s because it was dealt with “I haven’t got a promotion on my “Oh, yes,” he agrees, “it was a when it’s absolute bedlam, there are entirely by Dick Knight. It was made times when I question CV just yet, so I want to do everything chasmic leap – a huge, huge change. times when I question my own sanity clear to me when I came that it wasn't I can to play my part in taking this I joke that it was my mid-life crisis! – but it’s really good! part of the job, so that was fine. my own sanity” club forward.”

“I remember coming back really late from an away match at Barnsley one hart’s in the Saturday and rather stupidly went on the computer. I saw the show I’d just done had been absolutely slaughtered. It made me start to right place question things, having given up all that time for it.” Ian’s sense of perspective largely There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. stems from the fact he’s worked in Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing the funeral business for 23 years – these days heading up his own in common... a love of the Albion company in Worthing. “I was offered a couple of days’ The problem with interviewing Ian work at the end of 1987, helping out Hart is that I can’t. Or not very well, at a local firm,” he recalls. “and the put it that way. We’ve been mates rest is history. The number of funerals for so many years, we instinctively I’ve been involved with now must be drift off at tangents the whole time, getting on for five figures. who’ll be watching the team for the Over the years, what elements of rambling on about total twaddle. “It’s a business I suppose I was very first time? football does Ian think have changed Two minutes in, and we’ve already always destined to go into. My great- “Newcomers, oldcomers – give for the worse? found ourselves talking about last grandad and grandad did it. them a minute in there and they’ll all “I think there’s too much money in night’s telly, good and bad. Plus X “And yes, it certainly helps put be supporting the Albion,” he says. the game now,” he says. “Manchester Factor (“past its sell-by date”). Oh, and things in perspective on the football “All that matters is they come and City are paying more to Yaya Toure as that Survivors series we both loved front. I remember one Tuesday night they stay, simple as that. an annual salary than the Albion got but which the Beeb recently axed, at Gillingham, when Jeff Wood was in “I’m not going to be part of that for the Goldstone! That’s frightening. mid-storyline, the clueless idiots. charge, and we’d just lost 3-0, I think, clique that looks at these fans and “Also, managers don’t get a chance And at one point, don’t ask me how, to Cambridge United. I was goes. ‘Where were you when we anymore. I know it’s a results business our conversation has suddenly confronted by this really angry Albion were s***?’ but that’s been taken to mad switched to the subject of an ex-BBC fan, yelling right in my face for “Did anybody have a go at me when extremes.” weatherman who retired more than backing the manager. Just a few hours I celebrated our goal at the Nonetheless, Ian thinks there’s room 30 years ago (Bert Ford, since you ask) earlier I’d handled the funeral of a Goldstone against Pompey on Easter for optimism – or could be, provided and whether we can each remember teenage lad who’d died in really tragic Monday, 1973 – even though I’d never we invest in our youngsters. Running where we were when his last forecast circumstances. It just made me think been before..? Of course not. The Ferring Under-16s, it’s something he went out. What the hell’s that all some people need a reality check.” bloke standing next to me didn’t say, feels very strongly about. about? “The exciting thing is how this will So does Ian miss the BBC Sussex Moving on to the Amex, how will ‘You can’t celebrate because you’ve “It’s all very well the Government So, come on, Harty, let’s stick to the develop at the Amex. I’m very lucky fans’ phone-in? After all, he hosted it lifelong fan Ian feel about supporters never been before.’” going and fighting other people’s football questions or we’ll be here all to be working with Paul Camillin for 11 years. “It was a big part of my wars,” he says, “but if Tony Blair had day. Tell you what, let’s start by you (Albion Press Officer) and Tim life,” he admits, “but you have to that much money in the pot, why telling me all about your role on the Dudding (Webmaster). Paul was one move on. It was ultimately my “There’ll be a show didn’t every middle school in this Seagulls Player web telly thingummy. of my fanzine sellers back in the Gull’s decision to go. And I’ve got the country get an Astroturf pitch, so that Looks like a dream gig for a bloke Eye years. utmost respect for the people people can watch kids could go and play sport who’s been following the Albion for “Match-day television will be huge who’ve followed me. regardless of the weather? nearly 40 years. at the new stadium. We’ll look to “I do miss aspects of it – Dick Knight straight after the “We must always strive to put our “Hart Of The Matter ? It’s exactly entertain people on the big screens in and I had some great spats – but kids first. Every building needs a firm what it says on the tin,” says Ian, the lounges from lunchtime onwards. there are other aspects I don’t miss. games. They won’t foundation and it’s the same with “going and talking to fans. It’s sticking “And there’ll be a show people can Some of the abuse I got I probably society. Get our kids doing things they a microphone under their noses, watch straight after the games. They didn’t handle as well as I could have want to rush home for enjoy, whether it’s sport, drama, chatting about this and that. It’s won’t want to rush home for done. But then we’re all sensitive dance, art or whatever, and we’re basically pub talk, but on the web. Doctor Who !” souls underneath. doctor who!” investing in our country’s future.”

50 51 The MIke ward Mike Ward is the TV Critic of the Daily Star and the Daily Express Saturday Magazine. Hear him on InTervIew talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Jacobs Show every Monday at 3pm, and call him and the BBC Sussex Sport team every Saturday from 5pm (0845 9570057). More at www.mikewardblogs.com Tears of pride There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing in common... a love of the Albion Teresa Sanders isn’t one for sobbing. thing, when it comes to ensuring “Ultimately, though, we’re about Except, that is, when she sits down everyone’s playing in a session that’s empowering people to play football to write another update for the appropriate for them, is to make sure the way they want to, rather than the Seagulls Specials website. we have loads of people involved. way we think they should. It’s That’s when, as Football “We worked with more than 4,000 important that people are given the Development Manager for the Albion last year. With that number, we have chance to decide. Do they just want In The Community Disability Project, quite a lot of kids we can group to make friends or do they want to she takes a moment to reflect on appropriately. It used to be a lot play for England? We can’t just make what she and her remarkable team harder when we first set out.” assumptions.” have achieved – and is inclined to The range of disabilities the project And how does the Albion in the So how do Teresa and her team to be very involved – and they do ‘Hmm, right, didn’t see that one well up. works with these days is such that Community Disability Project devise versions of the game to suit enjoy it, too.” coming!’ But he said that if he “I make sure there’s a box of tissues “there’s absolutely nobody we compare to other set-ups elsewhere? particular needs? Money-wise, the project’s core couldn’t be a magician he’d like to be on my desk!” she tells me. “It’s couldn’t include in our clubs. Pretty “I think we’re able to meet the “Football itself is quite an easy football activities are all funded by a cleaner, so that was a little easier powerful stuff.” much as soon as kids are old enough needs of more disabled people than game,” she points out. “It’s about the Football Foundation and the to arrange! Teresa oversees a multi-award- to start school we’re happy for them any other football club in the putting a ball in a net more often than Football League Trust. Other parts of “We set him up with a cleaning job winning project whose roots go back to come. And there’s no maximum country,” says Teresa. “You get some the other team. their work get financial backing from a at Withdean – and then said we’d like 16 years. It’s gone on to become age either. clubs that are very good at working at “But obviously we do have to adapt variety of sources, including private him to entertain the staff with the probably the most respected of its “We have different clubs right the excellence level, others who are our sessions. Some of that process is sponsors and fan donations. The occasional magic trick. So, yes, we kind in Britain, helping disabled across the county. Some of them are good at working with the more already done for us by the fact that football club itself doesn’t provide have a conjuror-cleaner! He youngsters and adults not only to impairment-specific, so for example severely disabled young people, but there are established rules, say, for direct funding but it does house the absolutely loves his job and brings a enjoy playing football but to make all our wheelchair-users get the I think we’re very good at doing it all. wheelchair football and for blind whole set-up and enable the grants to smile to everyone’s faces.” new friends, build up self-esteem chance to play with other wheelchair- “And it’s not just me who’s saying football. be applied for. Without it, none of Teresa was 23 when she first began and add a whole new dimension to users, where they can use specific that. The Football League voted us the “It’s when you’ve got a broader this would be possible. working with disabled people. In the their lives. rules and equipment. best disability project in the country.” range of abilities that you have to Teresa is particularly keen to stress 16 years since, she says her role has “I wouldn’t say I’m a very emotional think a bit more carefully.” how her team’s work has evolved in changed a lot. “At the start I was out person as a rule,” she admits, “but I’m Wheelchair football is something recent times. “It’s not just about there with a bag of balls, coaching passionate about a few things and this “I think we’re able to Albion manager Gus Poyet actually football,” she says. “It’s about making from 8am to 8pm every day. It was project is one of them.” sampled not so long back, along with sure we’re there to offer advice and the most rewarding thing that I’ve Since people’s disabilities can vary meet the needs of Mauricio Taricco and Charlie Oatway, support to disabled people on all ever done. dramatically, Teresa’s team has to during Community Awareness Week. sorts of other aspects of their lives, “These days my job is very much come up with a variety of footballing more disabled people The Albion first-team players also or at least to put them in touch with about managing staff and getting the options to meet specific needs. hook up with the project on a regular people who can. best from them. I guess I’d like to be “It’s about finding football than any other basis. “Everybody from the pro side of “We also developed a course to out there and coaching a bit more, opportunities at an age and a level the club is really supportive,” says help disabled young people find but I still get a great sense of pride appropriate to each person,” she football club in the Teresa. “I think they’re proud of us as work. We even had one guy telling us when I think about what we’ve explains. “So obviously the easiest country” well. I think they feel very honoured he wanted to be a magician. I thought, achieved over the years.”

28 29 The MIke ward Mike Ward is the TV Critic of the Daily Star and the Daily Express Saturday Magazine. Hear him on InTervIew talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Jacobs Show every Monday at 3pm, and call him and the BBC Sussex Sport team every Saturday from 5pm (0845 9570057). More at www.mikewardblogs.com attila the Stockbroker There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing in common... a love of the Albion Rather like you always know the Alzheimer’s for six years and my Queen is in residence if the Royal touring abroad was curtailed very Standard is fluttering from its much by the fact my wife Robina and flagpole, it’s not hard to spot when I had to look after her.” Attila The Stockbroker has made it Muriel passed away in June, a day to a match at Withdean. before her 87th birthday, and Crackling over our comedy PA although this affected John very system you’ll hear him, in his deeply – as did her difficult final matchday announcer’s role, playing a years, as expressed in his deeply blast of The Clash, perhaps. Or maybe moving poem The Long Goodbye The Jam. Even occasionally this (which you can read on his website) – column’s vote for Greatest Band of all he’s at least looking forward to Time, the marvellous Half Man Half venturing further afield again. Biscuit (personally, I’d recommend “I love travelling,” he says. “I love “It’s a phenomenally wonderful way available for me to follow the game. The new stadium, he says, “thrills Mathematically Safe or Dead Men visiting different places. I have huge to earn a living, doing what I love, and “To be honest, though, if I'm me totally. I’ll be so proud at that first Don’t Need Season Tickets ). connections with Germany, for I do it on my own terms.” somewhere else I’d rather go to watch match to think I've played a tiny part It’s not to everyone’s taste, of example, and I speak the language. This, John explains, also includes another match. I just love football, in bringing it about.” course, as plenty have made “I’ve missed quite a few games,” “I do lots of gigs in lots of places. In arranging his own tour dates around full-stop.” For John, the legacy of that struggle abundantly clear, but Attila’s excellent John tells me, “but I don’t intend to most cities in Western Europe, Albion matches. But it’s not always John admits he’d still prefer to includes one particularly powerful if (in my opinion) pre-match musical miss many more until March. That’s Canada, Australia and New Zealand, that easy. watch it the old-fashioned way, as he unlikely bond – with chartered selections are as much a part of the when I’m off on my fourth tour of somewhere between 50 and 100 “The day the fixtures come out I'm can when he goes to see his favourite accountant Paul Samrah, his fellow Withdean experience as getting Australia and New Zealand. people will turn up to see me. That’s on the internet to people all over the German side, St Pauli. matchday announcer, who chaired the regularly soaked to the bones – or, “I haven’t been able to go for a how it is. I’m a cult figure, a tiny fish country, sometimes further afield, “I want a terrace,” he says, “I want a Falmer For All campaign. “We come for away fans, heading home with raw decade because my mum, Muriel, had in a huge great pool, and I love that. saying: ‘Right, can I do this date or beer, I want people to have the from two totally different worlds,” red rings around your eyes from that?’ It combines earning my living opportunity to smoke in parts of the says John, “in terms of our lifestyles excessive use of your binoculars. with watching the Albion. ground. But you can’t do that here and our aspirations – although less so As I say, though, he can’t always “Paul and I will be “I try to organise as many gigs as anymore.” these days, perhaps, because he's make it to Withdean, try as he might. possible to fit around away fixtures. Even so, having been a key figure in actually becoming a bit of a lefty A fan since the mid-60s, when his dad sitting together at the For home games I try to arrange ones the fight for Falmer, he’s not (he’ll love it if you put that in!) – but first took him to the Goldstone, the that are relatively easy to get to complaining about what the Amex we’re really good friends, and it’s the Albion’s official Poet In Residence, aka new stadium, proud afterwards. holds in store. Not even the luxury of Albion that's brought us together. “old-fashioned punk rocker” John “It doesn’t always work, and the 1901 Club. “People have a perfect “Whatever happens to our current Baine, has recently been celebrating that we’ve played our obviously it can’t if I'm abroad, but right if they can afford it,” he says, PA roles, that friendship is going to 30 years as a performer – music and I normally manage about 30 games “but I do still believe that football continue. Paul and I will be sitting poetry-wise – with an extensive tour part in making it out of the 46 in a season. fans also have the right to stand on together at the new stadium, proud of Britain, Holland and Germany. “When I'm not there I'm glued to a terrace with a pint if that’s what that we’ve played our part in making happen” whatever piece of equipment is we want.” it happen.”

The long and So does she miss those days? “It’s a weird feeling, to be honest. We spent so long being ‘football fans AND . . . winding road… “Now we’re just football fans. “People ask, ‘Aren’t you bored?’ Thankfully, what’s happening on the There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. pitch is now a topic of conversation Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing before, during and after the match. It used to be just incidental.” in common... a love of the Albion As for the Amex – the glorious They don’t dish out awards, as far as the same as the adults and I expect And was it love at first sight? result of all that toil – “whenever I I know, for travelling Albion fans them to behave that way. “Well, when I first got involved,” she drive past I burst into giggles. I have to who clock up the biggest annual “Strong language is definitely not confesses, “it was to escape being at pinch myself and ask, ‘Is this our mileage. Possibly because it would allowed,” she says. “And for legal home on a Saturday afternoon, that’s club?’” be a no contest. reasons we don’t take alcohol the truth of the matter. She considers it vital, however, that But even though she’d surely have on board.” “But if I hadn’t liked it I wouldn’t the Albion maintains its Sussex roots. that title in the bag, you’re unlikely have gone back. I just loved the whole Hence she’s also a regular at youth ever to find Liz Costa behind the atmosphere, and I soon learned that if matches. “It’s all about continuity,” Liz wheel. At least, not for first-team “It’s quite an you’re a woman on your own, a explains. “We feel we’ve watched the fixtures. exclusive club football match is the safest place to next generation coming through – the For these, Liz is in charge of the be. Everyone is there for the same likes of Tommy Elphick and Adam Supporters’ Club coach, a job she first – those of us thing and you quickly get to know all El-Abd.” officially took on back in 1996. “We who were the people around you.” Indeed, it’s one of the former youth take a coach to every single first-team Liz has lost count of how many team players, Wes Fogden, whom Liz game,” she says, “whether there are banned by the Albion matches she’s seen over the considers her greatest unsung two people on it or 52.” old regime. years – “but there certainly aren’t Albion hero. Liz, who’s also the Supporters’ a badge of many I’ve missed, even when I was Wes was diagnosed with a tumour Club vice-chairman, is the first to banned by our former chief executive on his spine and told he’d probably admit it’s not everyone’s ideal way to honour. and we (David Bellotti). never walk again – “but he’s fought go to a game. did have fun!” “I spent a number of those matches back and is playing a good level of But she’s immensely proud of the listening on the radio, sitting in a car football.” (Wes picked up two Player service’s record and reputation. Liz’s interest in football began after outside the Goldstone. of the Season awards at Havant & “We’ve had derogatory comments the Munich air crash of 1958, the “It’s quite an exclusive club – those Waterlooville earlier this year – from about ‘Costa’s blue-rinse brigade’,” she game having become a national of us who were banned by the old team mates and fans). confesses. “But it’s a great atmosphere talking point. regime. A badge of honour. And we “He’s one of the bravest young men and a really good mix – from seven It wasn’t until she saw the legendary did have fun! I think I’ll ever encounter,” she says. years old to one chap who’s watched John Charles play his first match for “The guy opposite the ground had a “And a lovely lad.” the Albion since before the war. Roma, however (she was living in the little raised platform outside his place So that just about sums it up for Liz “We’ve even had people who’ve Italian capital at the time, and taken and I used to park there. We used it as Costa, really – a connection with her ended up getting married!” to the game by her policeman an office to some extent when we club that goes way beyond just 90 The police, Liz explains, treat her boyfriend), that she became hooked. started campaigning. minutes on the pitch. and her charges with great respect – “The buzz was phenomenal,” she “I could see what was going on Like a second family, perhaps? not least because she insists on high recalls. “When I came back to the UK upstairs in the boardroom. A certain “Yes, but in many ways it’s more standards, behaviour-wise. I really wanted to go to more games. gentleman kept peering out to see if than that. Families row, they split up, “We take a lot of youngsters,” she But it wasn’t until I moved to Sussex I was still there. I knew I was winding they stop speaking to one another. says. “But I always treat them exactly that I began to follow the Albion.” him up!” “In football you stick together no matter what.”

then. “We mainly just had text-based stuff,” he reminds me. “There was a small amount of video, which was ‘There’s a horse free, but it was just low-res goal highlights. There were no interviews, no club-produced content. on the pitch!’ “These days we've got centrally- produced highlights but we've also got the local stuff I work on, like Hart There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. of the Matter , Martin Perry’s stadium Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing blog etc, plus youth team and reserve team highlights.” in common... a love of the Albion All of which, I assume, is a particular We’ve seen the odd squirrel on the boost to Albion fans abroad? pitch at Withdean. Seagulls gather “Definitely. Fans all over the world there too, of course. But you need log on, and it’s perfect for them. They to go back a fair few years to can watch videos, interviews – and remember the last time a horse match highlights, which they can’t get galloped on to the field of play. anywhere else online. The BBC It wasn’t during a match, somewhat highlights are only for UK users. disappointingly, but in the middle of a “They can also get match training session. Oh, and it wasn’t a commentaries on Seagulls Player , real horse, I should add. wherever they live.” It was Albion’s webmaster Tim And presumably all this is just a Dudding, dressed in one of those glimpse of things to come? “Well, yes, pantomime gee-gee outfits that used Tim and Ken Barnard the next step would be to broadcast to make an appearance at the club’s film 'Ken's Fries' at games live on the internet. The racedays. Elland Road technology is there already, but in Him, that is, plus another member reality it’ll be a long time before it can of staff (the front half) whose identity “But I think we served our purpose. wise, helping develop the Albion’s be done by all 72 league clubs. he’s diplomatically refusing to reveal I like to think it contributed to our online presence – something that’s “Also you have to remember what to me, even six years after the fine performance at White Hart Lane since evolved into the slickest, most viewers now expect. When Sky cover now, I take it there’s no such thing as a contributes to the website. Then of incident. the next day!” sophisticated link between the club a game now they’ve got a multi- typical weekday for Tim Dudding? course there's Paul Camillin, the Press “The team were training at It’s perhaps surprising, then, that and its fans. camera shoot. They spend £50,000 “Not really. You can plan your day Officer, plus myself and photographer Withdean ahead of the FA Cup match Tim wasn’t hired to be a full-time Tim came on board in 2002, after a on each match and have a massive but then suddenly something Paul Hazlewood. at Spurs,” Tim tells me, “and everyone morale-booster. But by that stage he spell of work experience. But the team of cameramen, editors, unexpected happens – a player gets “It’s a lot of hard work but I'm not seemed a bit on edge. So we found already had a lot on his plate, work- website was a tad more basic back production staff etc.” injured, for example, or there’s a new complaining. I know I'm in a privileged this costume and thought it would be Talking of TV, Tim and the rest of signing – and those plans go out of position and I enjoy every moment. hilarious to dress up in it and run out the Albion media team are also hard the window. You have to react to “Best part of the job? The people into training. “at that point they all at work on plans for the Amex’s what’s happened, such as meeting I work with, particularly the guys in “So we put it on, bowled out onto matchday TV output. and interviewing a new player, getting the media team who are all extremely the pitch, and Guy Butters shouted started booting balls at “We want to create a brilliant that onto the website, handling the hard-working and genuine. something like, ‘Hang on, there's a experience – high-quality highlights, local press… “Also, I get to meet incredibly horse on the pitch!’ us. I remember Paul interviews etc – up on the scoreboard “Luckily the club realises how talented people. I'm constantly “At that point they all started and on TVs right across all the important the media side is for the learning from real professionals like booting balls at us. Then we got watson dragging me concourses and executive boxes. future, which is why they’ve let us Dave Beckett and Nic Small, who ragged silly. I remember Paul Watson It’ll be a cutting-edge product that expand the department. We’ve work on our season ticket DVD, while dragging me about 20 yards through about 20 yards encourages fans to come early and brought Will Jago in to help on the the likes of Ian Hart and Stephen the mud. The costume was a little stay after the final whistle.” written side, as well as Luke Nicoli, Grant, who present our podcasts, worse for wear after that... through the mud” So, given all these challenges right the programme editor, who also have me in stitches.”

“As for Withdean, I personally only go about two or three times a season, but a couple of our members are alba army! actually season ticket holders. James Small from Edinburgh will fly down There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. almost every other week.” So just how Scottish are the Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing Scottish Seagulls? in common... a love of the Albion Chris laughs. “There are probably about 16 Scots among us,” he There are plenty of things you concedes. “Well, they’ve got Scottish wouldn’t expect to find at the accents anyway!” Falkirk branch of WH Smith. Some, like Chris, have simply moved Takeaway pizzas, I’d imagine. up from Sussex for family or work- Garden furniture. And no doubt related reasons. Others have power tools and Marmite. somewhat more tenuous But surely top of the list of connections. unexpected items would be a “We've got people who’ve gone to Brighton & Hove Albion hat. university, for example, and stayed up That, however, is precisely what here,” explains Chris. Chris Knight happened to spot while “We've also got quite a few younger he was browsing around the store one people whose mums and dads moved afternoon, back in 2004. It wasn’t for up. My own son Graeme, who’s 17, is a sale, I should explain, but perched on fan – and yes, he has a Scottish the head of a fellow Seagulls accent! He’s known as Statto, because supporter. he prepares loads of Albion quizzes “I couldn’t believe it,” recalls Chris, Carlisle Away 2010. Alba flag with Gus (left to right) the Milne family, Kip Collins, to keep us entertained on the who’d recently moved to the area Martin Alder, Keith Forsyth, James Small, Gavin Gray, Graeme Knight, Jem Garnett journeys to away games. with his family. “As you can imagine “There’s also the likes of Alan it was the last thing I’d expected The Proclaimers’ classic (I Would “Hartlepool’s always a favourite Welsh, from Dundee, who didn’t want to see!” to follow a Scottish team and picked Walk) 500 Miles – since that’s almost with us,” says Chris. “But Carlisle is Chris hooks up with Gus Poyet Fast-forward seven years and Chris, the exact distance between Falkirk effectively our home game, so we Brighton instead. He even runs a 5-a- now firmly settled north of the and Withdean – then by all means be always have a particularly good day side team called Dundee & Hove border, no longer even bats an eyelid my guest. But actually they wouldn’t. out there. About 30 of us meet up in Albion!” have turned out to have similar “Danny Cullip left for Sheffield at such a sight. Move up to Scotland, Travel that far, I mean. Well, not the same pub beforehand. Other members include the Albas’ interests. We go to gigs together, for United, Charlie Oatway suffered two it seems, and you can barely move for often. Most of the Albas, for obvious “A lot of us will also do places like founder member and Secretary, Tony example. We even went to see Attila bad injuries, one of which ended his Brighton & Hove Albion fans. reasons, tend to stick to away games. Oldham, Rochdale and Huddersfield. Parsons, from Perth, along with when he performed in Edinburgh. playing career, and Gary Hart and All right, slight exaggeration. But as Glasgow-based Miles Baigent and Jem “The 25-or-so core members get on Dean Cox were told their contracts Chris would discover, he was by no Garnet (the latter runs their website, incredibly well. It’s a really friendly weren’t being renewed. means alone in his passion. www.bhalba.co.uk) and Allandale’s bunch.” “Harty did return, of course, but The Scottish Seagulls, also known as Move up to Mark ‘Fat Badger’ Nixon. Even so, it sounds as if the Albas, for I think that was only once he knew the Albas, consists of around 100 There’s also David Trenner from all their good intentions, may be we were sponsoring someone else!” members, some of them admittedly Scotland, it seems, Cumbernauld, who together with his carrying some kind of terrible curse. Joking aside, there’s no doubt the more actively involved than others, partner Yasmin helps organise the Well, sort of. Albas are a committed bunch. But who regularly head off to Albion and you can end-of-season get-together for exiled “We’re very proud to have given the distance, wouldn’t it be games together. These days Chris is Albion fans. sponsored various players for some more convenient to follow a Scottish their treasurer. barely move for “At first you assume you’ll have time now,” Chris explains, “but it’s team? “Some of us do follow Scottish Now, should you wish, at this point, nothing in common with these become a running joke among us that teams,” Chris admits. “But it’s so poor to burst into a seemingly appropriate Brighton & hove people, apart from Brighton,” says any player we choose immediately it’s just not worth watching. Even and undoubtedly very witty chorus of albion fans… Chris. “But that's so untrue. A lot of us has some kind of curse put on them! Celtic v Rangers – it’s just boring.”

Picture perfect There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing in common... a love of the Albion

If a picture paints a thousand words pictures, as have other Albion legends – and I don’t see why not – then including Bobby Zamora. Gus and the 2,000 pictures ought to paint, what, current squad will be on there too. a couple of million? Something Depending on how many images are like that. ultimately submitted before the May So imagine the stories the Albion cut-off point, the final piece could mosaic is going to tell. stretch as wide as four metres. This project, the brainchild of “That would be fantastic,” says Tim. Albion fanatics Warren Dudley “You’ll stand back and see this and Tim Herbert, is collecting amazing image – and then as you get project, for which submissions cost Goldstone in 1981 – is doing a fine job photographs from Seagulls supporters closer you'll see each of the £9.99, will be donated to the award- of raising his lad the right way. the world over, with the aim of individual photos.” winning memorial fund set up in “He's got his shirts and he sings the turning them into one enormous It is, of course, ultimately all player, this seemed ideal. We think it’s Robert’s memory, helping fund songs: ‘Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle iconic image, to be mounted on the about those pictures and the fans a nice image. All the people we've football for underprivileged all the way, oh what fun it is to see wall of the North Stand Supporters’ they feature. shown it to have been really, really youngsters both in England Brighton win away,’ Bar at the Amex Stadium. “In many cases it’s an opportunity supportive, which is great. and overseas. “And he's always walking around Ingenious, huh? for people to honour the loved ones “I must admit we were a little bit “A lot of it is about remembering the house singing, ‘I love Albion.’ “Warren made a flag for the 2006 who’ve not made it this far,” says Tim. worried when we stuck it on North those who won’t be there,” says Tim. It’s great!” World Cup in Germany,” Tim explains, “It’s been so long since we were Stand Chat, thinking people might go, “People on North Stand Chat, for With pictures submitted so far “featuring a mosaic of fans from clubs playing at the Goldstone that many ‘That's rubbish, they’re having a laugh.’ example, have been collecting money including pets, babies, family photos all over the country. He turned it into supporters are sadly no longer “There's always that fear, isn’t there? in memory of Evan Warren, who used and supporters’ tattoos (“It doesn’t the famous picture of Bobby Moore with us.” That little bit of insecurity that it to post as Defrocked Priest and who matter what the image is, as long as being held aloft at Wembley with the One of those absent supporters, of won't go down very well. But the died suddenly just a few weeks ago. it’s not offensive – or Palace . . .”), the old trophy. It was really successful. course, is Robert Eaton, who lost his response has been, I’d say, 99.9 per They want to get him a Heritage final work promises to be fascinating. “So we got talking after that life in the Twin Towers attack on New cent positive.” Stone at the new ground and put a “Just e-mail us the picture you want tournament and came up with the York in September 2001. Ten percent Ward himself has submitted picture of him on the mosaic as well. to include – the address is on our idea of doing something along those of the money raised by the mosaic “It’s that sort of feeling, really – website – and we’ll ping you back lines for the new Amex Stadium. It’s paying tribute to all the fans who with payment details. It’s really been in the pipeline for quite a while fought so hard to make Falmer a simple. And everyone who submits a now, so it’s really exciting to see it “It’s that sort of reality. Because obviously it’s been a picture will get an A1 print of the finally coming together.” bit of a slog, hasn’t it?” finished mosaic.” Warren and Tim thought long and feeling, really – It’s also, of course, about passing on Come the day that mosaic is ready, hard about which image they wanted the legacy. Hence others who’ll Tim says he and Warren would love to create, ultimately settling on a paying tribute to all feature on the mosaic will include an official red-curtain unveiling. picture of Peter Ward in his heyday, Tim’s three-year-old son Jamie, “Obviously we’ll have to wait and gazing at the new stadium in the the fans who fought pictured in an Albion shirt when he see,” he says Tim, “but wouldn’t that distance. was only a few weeks old. It’s clear be brilliant?” “We wanted to blend the old and so hard to make that Tim – a Liverpool fan as a kid, Above: Warren Dudley; Tim Herbert showing the new,” says Tim, “and as Peter Ward l For more details, go to but miraculously converted to the son Jamie the right path as a baby, and Jamie is Brighton’s most famous, best loved Falmer a reality” Albion during the 3-3 draw at the www.albionfanmosaic.co.uk continuing his education!

38 39 The MIke ward Mike Ward is the TV Critic of the Daily Star and the Daily Express Saturday Magazine. Hear him on InTervIew talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Jacobs Show every Monday at 3pm, and call him and the BBC Sussex Sport team every Saturday from 5pm (0845 9570057). More at www.mikewardblogs.com Time’s a great healer There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing in common... a love of the Albion If any of our first team ever need a “It was tough to accept at first,” he nine months and then it could’ve bit of guidance on the penalty- concedes, “because that season I was taken a further 14 to get back to full taking front – and I’m not saying the fittest I'd ever been. But I’m not fitness. By then I'd have been 34 – and they do, of course, perish the bitter or angry. I was more upset than without a club. thought – then I think I’ve found anything. It was a freak accident.” “Obviously, Brighton weren’t going them the perfect mentor. The incident in question happened to offer me a contract if I was going He’s called Kerry Mayo. at home to Tranmere on March 28, to be sidelined for two years, were Yep, THAT Kerry Mayo. There is, 2009. Kerry remembers it all too they? It’s a business, I completely after all, only one... vividly. understand that. Okay, so he doesn’t actually play for “I’d come on as sub with about ten “But it was still frustrating because us anymore, but that’s not to say they minutes to go. I played the ball out I’d seen myself playing for several couldn’t still study Kerry’s faultless and landed awkwardly – but their more years. I was always one of the technique. winger then stood on me as well and fittest at the club, you know. I may “I took six in my career,” he reminds my pubic bone dislodged. not have been the quickest, as me, “In penalty shoot-outs and stuff “I'd never felt pain like it. It was everybody knows, but my fitness was like that, and I never missed one! If excruciating.” never a problem. I was inspired by you go on YouTube , you can see my Though it wasn’t immediately clear what Guy Butters had done, winning penalty against Millwall how significant this injury was, Kerry continuing to play and read the game (coolly sending the keeper the wrong would soon have it spelt out to him. so well in his late 30s.” way in the 2006 Johnstone’s Paint “I was told that to stay in the game Staring at an uncertain future, “Before the start of the following “I can still get on the ball and make pay,” he points out, with characteristic Trophy quarter-final at The Den). full-time I'd need an operation to fuse Kerry’s first instinct was to distance season I took myself and my partner things happen,” he explains. “I just pragmatism, “so I joined the real “In fact, if you ask Michel Kuipers the bone back together,” he recalls. himself from anything football- away on holiday to avoid all the usual can’t sprint or do anything explosive. world.” and John Sullivan I’m sure they’ll tell “I’d have been laid up on my back for related. It just hurt too much. pre-season hype on TV and in the “After about 20 minutes I’m in We can also expect to see plenty of you I was the best finisher at the club. newspapers. I couldn’t face that. absolute agony but it doesn’t get any Kerry at the Amex, where he hopes to It’s just I never got that far up the “I’m fine about it now, though. worse so I just ride through it, take get involved with the 1901 Club. pitch to have a shot!” “I took myself and my Like they say, time is a great healer. painkillers to get through the game.” “Being there on match days will be I have to say it’s great to find Kerry Towards the end of last season I was Of course, Kerry has mouths to fantastic,” he says. in such good spirits, given that his partner away on going along to Withdean and cheering feed, and this level of football doesn’t All in all, then, is it fair to say life career ended on such a miserable the boys on again. I’ll always be a exactly bring home the bacon – for could be a whole lot worse right now note. holiday to avoid all the Brighton & Hove Albion fan, so it’s himself, partner Jenny and their baby for Kerry Mayo? Though he’ll always be gutted he nice to sit with other supporters.” boy Harrison, born last June. So Kerry “Oh yes, definitely. Everything at the never made it to the Amex, at least in usual pre-season Not that Kerry can entirely resist has been working for a local insurance moment is very rosy. I've got a a playing capacity, the initial shock of hype on Tv and in the pulling on his boots again. He’s got his firm, TPCM, in Church Road, Hove, as fantastic partner – sorry, I mean being forced out of the game two own five-a-side outfit, Kezweldos, well as getting into the football fiancée, we’re engaged – I love my years ago through injury seems largely newspapers. I couldn’t who play Monday nights at Stanley agency business with Azzurri Sports son to bits and I’m just looking to have subsided. Deason in Wilson Avenue – and he Management (www.azzurrisports.net). forward to the future, whatever face that” recently signed for Newhaven. “I still had the mortgage and bills to it brings…”

38 39 The MIke ward Mike Ward is the TV Critic of the Daily Star and the Daily Express Saturday Magazine. Hear him on InTervIew talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Jacobs Show every Monday at 3pm, and call him and the BBC Sussex Sport team every Saturday from 5pm (0845 9570057). More at www.mikewardblogs.com amex serving up Moore quality There’s more to a football club than 90 minutes of action. Mike Ward unearths the individuals who have one thing in common... a love of the Albion Flat beer. Cold coffee. Greasy chips. experience from their food and will be fresh on the day, delivered Meat pies with a notable absence of drink than somebody in the from the local bakery.” meat. Oh, and not forgetting those directors’ lounge. Sounds marvellous. But won’t the grey, anaemic burgers reheated from “The service and the quality of food prices reflect this? days ago, topped with a flabby slab they receive should be no less just “We’re very sensitive to the cost of day-glo plastic. because they’re buying a pie. issue,” Elliott stresses. “So we’ll make If you’re a fan of any of this “Those in hospitality are obviously it affordable. I want people to arrive traditional football-ground fare, very important but the other 80 at the stadium early and stay behind I’m afraid I have some really bad news percent or so, the fans coming after the game, so we’ll be in line with for you: you won’t be getting any of it through the turnstile and buying a most clubs in terms of our pricing.” at the Amex. pint of beer or a hotdog, they’re my Elliott is bringing a wealth of Sorry, not a scrap. Elliott Moore biggest market.” experience to his new role, having (picured right) , the new stadium’s So what exactly can supporters previously worked at Highbury, the catering chief, will see to that. expect, come August? Emirates, Wembley and the O2. The company Elliott works for, “Well, the pies, for example, will “The O2 taught me a lot about contract caterers Azure, recently have a 75 percent meat content. thinking outside the box,” he reflects. signed a five-year deal to supply all Traditionally you’re probably looking “I was working for an American-run the food and beverages within the at 30 to 40 percent maximum. company and they’re the masters of “It’s not just the quality of the food witnessing our very first Amex was a cup game and I was freezing stadium complex. “The hotdogs will use real sausages, delivering fast food of a high quality. that needs to be top-end but the wedding. cold. And my dad spent about 20 And they’re insisting Albion fans sourced from Sussex, in proper buns “I spent some time in the States at customer service as well. “We can even do evening weddings minutes trying to explain to me why deserve the best. with onions. the big stadiums, watching and “There'd be no point in me on match days,” Elliott adds. “Because there was penalty shoot-out.” “Food and drink is all part of the “The cheeseburgers will have real learning from their operations, so I've employing a chef who's trained at the of the way the stadium’s set out and So I take it he doesn’t remember his experience of going to a football slices of cheddar. And all the bread been able to bring that with me. Dorchester [as is the case for the 1901 the facilities available, we can turn it first Goldstone burger? match,” says Elliott, “and with the Club] if the waiting staff weren’t up to around very quickly. We're licensing “I don’t think I ever ate when I went Amex it’s going to be very different standard.” the premises so we can arrange the to the Goldstone,” he says. “But I do from what fans have been used to at a “Someone who’s But again, Elliot is keen to stress it’s whole wedding-day package.” remember Gillingham’s burgers. They lot of other stadiums. not just about the hospitality lounges. No doubt about it, then: Elliott were really ropey…” “The Amex is going to be state of bought a public ticket “All our fast-food outlets will have a Moore will be a key figure in the new Elliot later trained at City College, the art. The catering will reflect that. qualified chef in each kiosk to deliver stadium’s commercial success. before embarking on the career path We want to raise people’s should get no less of the food,” he tells me. “Most stadiums But don’t go imagining this is some that would indeed take him to the O2 expectations.” use people with no catering faceless corporate outsider. A born- and some of the country’s best And these new standards, he an experience from background.” and-bred Brightonian, Elliott has stadiums. But do they pale into stresses, will be introduced right their food and drink Azure will also be selling and actually been supporting the Albion insignificance compared to his new across the board. “I believe very much marketing the stadium on a seven- since his dad first took him to the role at the Amex Stadium? that someone who’s bought a public than somebody in the day-a-week basis, making facilities Goldstone at the age of four. “Absolutely,” he declares without ticket should get no less of an available for a range of functions. “I can’t remember much about my hesitation. “I’m at the best of the lot directors’ lounge” Which means, yes, we’ll soon be first match,” he admits, “except that it now!”

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