[Albion] Still a real gut punch after all these years

jimhigham · Sunday at 5:42 PM

It’s been a lovely, productive day. Got a run in early. Drove down to Brighton. Popped to Gresham Blake. Got a nice shirt. Then I popped across to Hove to catch up with some friends and have a crafty half of Harvey’s at The Poets’.

But…

I got a shock when I saw “Old Shoreham Road” pop up on Waze and immediately knew I’d be passing that bloody retail park. I think I’ve managed to avoid it for about 15 years. There was a right old smörgåsbord of emotion going on as I drove past, I can tell you.

I know there’s nothing new or ground breaking in this post. Fixtures writ large. But I’m still amazed at the power of location and memory.

I assume most of us on here avoid it like the plague?

timbha · Sunday at 6:28 PM

Not now. We’d never be where we are now if we were still at the GG.

Javeaseagull · Sunday at 6:31 PM

Never been near and now never will.

sakooshi · Sunday at 6:33 PM

The good thing about the GG was the location. Not reliant on the rail links to the extent the Amex is, and you could get away rapidly and easily after the final whistle.

Wozza · Sunday at 7:00 PM

I tell myself it doesn't matter now... and still avoid the area like the plague.

Driver8 · Sunday at 7:08 PM

Haven’t been past it since the day we left. Easier for me I’m sure but still…

Uh_huh_him · Sunday at 7:11 PM

A non-driver - I travel pretty much everywhere by train.

coming in/going out of Hove station always gives me a pang of nostalgia.

BNthree · Sunday at 7:14 PM

The players are keen on the Nandos there.

5Ways Gull · Sunday at 7:16 PM

My wife has these periodic "tidy ups" (every 2-3days) which normally result in a trip to the hove recycling centre, so have to drive past it. Never ever been in there though.

BevBHA · Sunday at 7:22 PM

BNthree said:
The players are keen on the Nandos there.

Not seen one in there for a while, but when he played for us, you could barely go in there without seeing LuaLua

Goldstone1976 · Sunday at 7:27 PM

While acknowledging the fact that the Amex is immeasurably better than the Goldstone was in almost every way, and recognising that it’s coming up 30 years since the ground was sold, I’ve never been past it since, and never will.

It’s much easier for me to maintain this stance as I don’t live locally, but there have been a few occasions when the most obvious route would take me past it. I’ve always avoided that route.

Stupid? Probably.

Tough.

POSKETT AT THE VALLEY · Sunday at 7:28 PM

Have been passed a few times. Each time it brings back memories of where I spent so many happy and not so happy afternoons and evenings. You can almost smell the urinals at the back of the North.

Mancgull · Sunday at 7:43 PM

Brings back so many memories of myself and my late father walking to and from the ground.
The funeral car with my dad’s coffin went past it on the way to the crematorium 18 months ago and I thought it was poignant that it did.
The ground may not be there but the location still resonates with amazing memories.

drew · Sunday at 8:24 PM

sakooshi said:
The good thing about the GG was the location. Not reliant on the rail links to the extent the Amex is, and you could get away rapidly and easily after the final whistle.

Guessing you didn't drive down from Burgess Hill and park on Goldstone Crescent. Massive queues getting out of Mill Rd through the bridge and then the traffic lights at Patcham. Then again long queues at the lights at Pyecombe!

nevergoagain · Sunday at 8:25 PM

Try not to turn left at the traffic lights when I come back down but my heart still flutters at the Hove Park Tavern whenever I pass it and recall some magical, some tragic and some hilarious times.

Brownstuff · Sunday at 8:31 PM

I’m the opposite, love walking round that area, so many great memories

BevBHA · Sunday at 8:33 PM

The Lidl there is decent

Harry Wilson's tackle · Sunday at 8:35 PM

jimhigham said:
It’s been a lovely, productive day. Got a run in early. Drove down to Brighton. Popped to Gresham Blake. Got a nice shirt. Then I popped Across to Hove to catch up with some friends and have a crafty half of Harvey’s at The Poets’.

But…

I got a shock when I saw “Old Shoreham Road” pop up on Waze and immediately knew I’d be passing that bloody retail park. I think I’ve managed to avoid it for about 15 years. There was a right old smörgåsbord of emotion going on as I drove past, I can tell you.

I know there’s nothing new or ground breaking in this post. Fixtures writ large. But I’m still amazed at the power of location and memory.

I assume most of us on here avoid it like the plague?

I visited once.

Just before the Chelsea friendly, first match at the Amex.
Shed a small tear.
Tutted a bit.

I content myself with the reality that we have never had it so good.
Phoenix from the ashes.

And.... we move on. Onwards and upwards

(And don't remind me of those Goldstone toilets :facepalm:

)

Herr Tubthumper · Sunday at 8:37 PM

I found my peace some time ago. I wanted to run the Hove Park Park Run and ummed and arghed a bit because the course is close to the site. I eventually concluded I should not deny myself something I really wanted to do..and did the run and saw it for the first time in 15-20 years.

Guinness Boy · Sunday at 8:41 PM

As a regular Hove Park parkrun attendee before Covid I’ve got different memories of the area and got used to how it is now. Never spent a single penny there though.

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[Albion] Still a real gut punch after all these years

Je Suis Rhino

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On the road...

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Plastic JCL

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We got Calde back, then lost him again. Calde in!!

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Drew

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Harry Wilson's Tackle

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