Question for the over 42s...

[Hamilton]

I was 11 years old when we were promoted to Division 1. I remember being ecstatic.

My father wasn't that interested in football so I had to rely on my uncle to take me along. When he did it was amazing - a mixture of fear and excitement. I never want that fear back. Memories of fear are more exciting than the reality.

We had great players, the place smelt different - you could smell the mud off the pitch. The camaraderie was great, we thought standing great, but the terraces appalling.

I remember seeing Spider Mellor seemingly stride through a defence; Gerry Ryan's pure grit; Jimmy Case showing what hard meant. We were brilliant.

All that aside, for me Now is the better time.

At that time I was young. I had never known any different. I had yet to experience having my club stolen from and yet to experience the depths of division 4 football. I had yet to be within 20 odd minutes (or whatever it was precisely) of going out of existence.

To go through all those years of agony and come out the other side, into a state of the art stadium, with a fan base that has the respect of others round the country is an honour that I can only thank my fellow fans for and doff my cap to messrs knight, bloom, perry, samrah, baine, hart, reinelt, gritt etc etc (loads of names so don't attack the selection.)

Not only that, but to see our team, our stripes, playing a possession and passing game that others admire - that's fantastic. Buckley's goal against Wednesday summarised it for me - beautiful passing followed by a magnificent floated ball right onto Buckley's foot which is finished with precision. Dare I say it - sexy football.

No, now is better. Now is definitely better (but only just.)

 

[1234andcounting]

Good question. The problem with it is that almost every human being looks back to the glory days of youth. When you are a teenager/early 20s everything is new and fresh - booze, footy, music, women (or whatever floats your boat), drugs (not that I ever touched anything illegal, honest, officer). So, looking back from the vantage point of a tired cynical old man in his 50s who will soon see his 1400th Albion game, I would say now. I think Gus is the coolest manager we have ever had; the stadium is simply magnificent, especially when compared with most of the other new stadia; the football, when it works, is better than any I have ever seen any Albion side play; and success is all the more sweet after the years of mediocrity and worse. The other nice thing is the number of friends and colleagues who are pleased about our success, regardless of who they support.

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

I was 11 years old when we were promoted to Division 1. I remember being ecstatic.

My father wasn't that interested in football so I had to rely on my uncle to take me along. When he did it was amazing - a mixture of fear and excitement. I never want that fear back. Memories of fear are more exciting than the reality.

We had great players, the place smelt different - you could smell the mud off the pitch. The camaraderie was great, we thought standing great, but the terraces appalling.

I remember seeing Spider Mellor seemingly stride through a defence; Gerry Ryan's pure grit; Jimmy Case showing what hard meant. We were brilliant.

All that aside, for me Now is the better time.

At that time I was young. I had never known any different. I had yet to experience having my club stolen from and yet to experience the depths of division 4 football. I had yet to be within 20 odd minutes (or whatever it was precisely) of going out of existence.

To go through all those years of agony and come out the other side, into a state of the art stadium, with a fan base that has the respect of others round the country is an honour that I can only thank my fellow fans for and doff my cap to messrs knight, bloom, perry, samrah, baine, hart, reinelt, gritt etc etc (loads of names so don't attack the selection.)

Not only that, but to see our team, our stripes, playing a possession and passing game that others admire - that's fantastic. Buckley's goal against Wednesday summarised it for me - beautiful passing followed by a magnificent floated ball right onto Buckley's foot which is finished with precision. Dare I say it - sexy football.

No, now is better. Now is definitely better (but only just.)

Gulp---Im welling up for the second time today!

 

[Brightonfan1983]

Then

But that could also be associated with the fact that I was younger.

Nothing beats being a football fan when you're in your early/mid teens. Nothing.

 

[Twizzle]

A lot of people say 'there's never been a better time to be a Brighton fan', and if you're under 35, I guess that statement might well hold true.

But we had a meteoric rise in the late 1970s powering our way from the Third to the First Division, where we stayed for four years, and reached the FA Cup Final. My memories of those days were little more than 'Peter Ward is Magic'.

So taking that into consideration, would those who remember the giddy days of the late 1970s and early 1980s say that NOW or THEN is/was the best time to be a Brighton fan - or maybe even another period (mid to late 1950s...?)

Just curious, like.

You have to say, there was something *exhiliarating* about that meteoric rise

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

I think that we are looking back and saying how good those times were but for me having supported the club for over 60 years the potential now is more exciting just remains to be seen whether or not we realize our potential.

You get some stick on here BG but you have my upmost respect and I take my hat off to you.

 

[n1 gull]

Nothing beats being a football fan when you're in your early/mid teens. Nothing.

I agree. I was 14 going to Highbury with my mates for the semi-final, it was like every Christmas day put together. The excitement
and novelty was off the chart. I get goose bumps even thinking about it now. Haywards Heath station about 10am, jumping the tube
to Highbury then walking through Highbury fields to the ground, with a massive police escort. I thought I was in Quadrophenia or something.
It felt like I was in the centre of the world. Wonderful day

 

[Jim in the West]

I watched loads of games in the late 70s/early 80s, and to tell the truth I can't really remember much about them! I recall the general experience of going to the Goldstone, and a few magical moments (Gerry Ryan beating about 15 players against Man City - I think!!). It's probably an age thing. But despite my dodgy memory, I cannot believe that (with a few honourable exceptions) we had a team as skilful as today's. OK, much of the performance v Watford was distinctly average, but over the past couple of years we have been lucky enough to witness some quite dazzling football. Have we ever had players of the quality of Bruno, Bridge, Vicente or Buckley? Ward and Lawro possibly come close. Horton and Case were almost certainly better than any central midfielder we have now. Other than that, I think you have to say that today's football is almost certainly the best that B&HA has ever played....

 

[Tony Towner's Fridge]

It is a great time. I can remember vividly the late 70s to mid 80s times and they were exciting, but not as much as now. It is all down to the quality of football that we are playing at this time.

TNBA

TTF

 

[martyn20]

It's hard to compare, going into the First Division then was very different to going into the Premiership now, you have to prepare and be ready and strong, I think right now with the manager, team, stadium and support we are ready and prepare for the top league, it's like promotion into the Premiership actually takes several years not just a good season as it might of in the past.

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

So difficult to compare for so many reasons. But to go to an evening game back then and to walk through the tunnel and here the noise and then into Goldstone Lane and see a packed ground 1 hour before kick off, a full away section right next to the north stand and the floodlights shining down, pushing through the turnstile, and then the smell, followed by the buzz of anticipation, maybe a bit of fighting going on, and then, of course we had a great side and when Ward got the ball and went on a run the place just came alight.
We have great days, maybe better players and a far better stadium now, but that was very hard to beat.
Maybe I am just being romantic because they are up there as the greatest days of my life, that I will never forget.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

A lot of people say 'there's never been a better time to be a Brighton fan', and if you're under 35, I guess that statement might well hold true.

But we had a meteoric rise in the late 1970s powering our way from the Third to the First Division, where we stayed for four years, and reached the FA Cup Final. My memories of those days were little more than 'Peter Ward is Magic'.

So taking that into consideration, would those who remember the giddy days of the late 1970s and early 1980s say that NOW or THEN is/was the best time to be a Brighton fan - or maybe even another period (mid to late 1950s...?)

Just curious, like.

Wow, what a great question, and a fantastic thread.

I was 50 last year, and watched my first Albion game in November 73, so I remember those fantastic years from 76-83 very well.

I was growing up, going to games with mates, talking about what/who we had done the night before, the music we listened to, buying 10 number 6 from the newsagent on the way to the ground, going on the Seagulls special trains, discovering alcohol, scarves around your wrists and 12 hole Doc Martens.

The football was fantastic, but if I'm honest, whilst I have a vague memory of lots of goals, winning the vast majority of our home games, it was almost secondary. it was about the North Stand, the surges, the atmosphere, especially for night games, the smell, the greenness of the pitch when you first saw it from the back of the stand and just being with your mates.

I am lucky to have been at The Goldstone for the Ipswich, Derby, Palace 2-0 evening game, Walsall, Sheffield Wednesday 3-2 promotion and the rest of those fantastic days/nights-including the day at Newcastle mad Wembley.

Now, it's very, very different. I watch/see much more of the game, the football IMO is so different it's impossible to compare, and The Amex is fantastic. The glory years of the late 70s is so long ago, i am just loving where our club is now. NowI go with my 19 year old son who I first took to Priestfield when he was 4. He sat through far too many wet, crap performances to mention at Withdean, and now It's for people like him, who, when he was at schol go ribbed for supporting his local team, that I just love the fact that we are good, and going places.

So, then or now? Really can't compare, but both bloody brilliant.

 

[Deaders285]

I had great memories of the late 70s early 80s however the feeling I get at the beautiful Amex makes me feel young again. Seeing the joy and pain on my kids faces reminds me of how I felt back then. Football has evolved mostly for the better. Let's not compare the two, very different beasts.

 

[CP 0 3 BHA]

There's some fantastic posts on this thread.

For me, the 70s/80s were fantastic times but aside from flash backs of Wardy magic, Lawro's gazelle like speed in defence and on surging runs etc. most of it is rather hazy memories. And, crucially, as the team was already becoming successful when I started following them in the mid 70s so I rather took it all for granted.

After years of drifting from the club and then nearly losing it - but for the effort of many of you who were far more dedicated than me at the time - I think the journey we've been on in recent years is extraordinary and a real example of triumph over adversity. These are exciting times and perhaps only just the start.

To change the question slightly: have I ever felt prouder to be a Brighton fan? No.

 

[Mutts Nuts]

A lot of people say 'there's never been a better time to be a Brighton fan', and if you're under 35, I guess that statement might well hold true.

But we had a meteoric rise in the late 1970s powering our way from the Third to the First Division, where we stayed for four years, and reached the FA Cup Final. My memories of those days were little more than 'Peter Ward is Magic'.

So taking that into consideration, would those who remember the giddy days of the late 1970s and early 1980s say that NOW or THEN is/was the best time to be a Brighton fan - or maybe even another period (mid to late 1950s...?)

Just curious, like.

The early 80`s it`s a no brainer now is good then was fcuking amazing Mullerys passion said it all,he started the rivalry with the scum all on his own ffs, Gus will never do that and he will also not get us to a cup final

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

So many fantastic comments & memories.

I've spent years boring anyone who would listen, especially my kids, on how great that team was. I dispaired for those youngsters that were brought up on the dross of post 83. I thought they'ed never experince what we had.

But this is better. I can't wait for my next Amex fix. I'd be happy just to spend a couple of hours there but, as an added bonus, we get to see one of the most exciting Albion teams ever.

I'm so lucky to have lived through one golden age and this is definatly another, and don't we deserve it?

 

[BensGrandad]

The early 80`s it`s a no brainer now is good then was fcuking amazing Mullerys passion said it all,he started the rivalry with the scum all on his own ffs, Gus will never do that and he will also not get us to a cup final

Mullery didn't get us to Wembley either but he did get us into the top division of English football and I would predict that Gus will do the same what happens after that is an open question.

 

[Boycee]

For me, it's a high scoring draw. 70's and early 80's, Albion occupied my thoughts nearly all day long. It's the same now, but I reckon it's all more sustainable than in the past - we are the virtually the only non prem club in the land 'on the up' with bumper gates etc. All we need is a longer platform at the station, a way of squeezing 9000 more seats into the stadium, oh, and promotion and a trophy. Easy

 

[Noldi]

All that sticks in my mind is Peter Ward, Alan Mullery and standing in the north stand. Oh great times plus a few run ins with Palarse fans to top it off. Oh and one thing I don't remember so clearly was Teddy Maybank I remember abusing him but why was he crap ?

Edit and know when we drew Forrest in the cup we would win even though they where top flight team.

Noldi

 

[Seagull on the wing]

Being an old git...I have seen every promotion team....my most memorable promotion season was probabl 64' [ 101 goals scored...unbeaten at home)...champions. Seen all the ups and downs over the seasons...all the great players...Barry Rees,Bobby Smith,Alex Dawson Mark Lawrenson but to be honest...I think todays team would play any of those teams off the park...players are more fit now,faster,more team players...I will always enjoy the Albion experience...but it was very exciting in the early days as a youngster.