Another example of why this is the best club in the World (IMHO)

[ALBION28]

Really good to hear. Great club indeed.

 

[Weststander]

Great story, and not waffle in the slightest.

Sounds like parties should be booked at 10 on a Sunday after a home game, to catch the players.

Hammond, El Abd & co come across as down to earth, unlike some of the PL prima donnas. Brilliant but inadvertent PR ... creating life long new fans.

 

[el punal]

After all the recent negative posts on here about stewarding, standing if I want, go left go right after the Palace game, how wonderful to have a totally positive and refreshing view of the club, staff and players.

It's obvious that you and your family had a cracking day out, and, I would like to put on record that I am now green with envy at the way you were looked after!

Brilliant post. I now look forward to doing the same with my 4 year old grandson Harry.

 

[HastingsSeagull]

Great post, hopefully my brother will start popping out kids soon as I've not got much chance at the mo :/ Unlessssss I can aquire some another way......... hmmmmmmm

 

[Brovion]

Thanks for taking the time to write that. It all adds to the feel that despite all the (very necessary) off-field changes that have taken place over the last eighteen months or so it's still 'our' club.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

This is why our crowds are getting bigger. Kids love coming to the Amex for games but when they get players making time for them for photos, shirts etc, it makes a huge difference. I've never seen so many kids wearing Albion colours as in the past 12 months.
Well done to the club & well done to the team.

 

[footychick]

Marvellous. I want one!

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

Good post mate, my Son's 7th B Day this year, he's very excited as his big mouth Brother told him you get a free Albion shirt (as he did three years ago, not sure if they do this now). Glad all enjoyed and good to hear we still have a family club.

 

[Randsta]

I want to have my next Birthday at the Amex

 

[WhingForPresident]

What's the saying "get them while they're young, and you have a fan for life."

Worked for Jimmy Savile. Well..

 

[piersa]

Love stories like that

 

[B52]

Great read, nothing to forgive, it wasn't waffle!

Must be getting sentimental, it brought a slight tear to my eye

Agree with this, makes you fill warm inside

 

[The Large One]

We had my son's 7th birthday party at the Amex on Sunday morning.

Picture the scene - we were directed to park in the coach park and walk down the steps to the West Stand Reception. Now, I'm a season ticket holder in the East Lower so was rather excited myself at the prospect of going to a different area to start with, and my son, who has so far only been to a couple of games, was getting rather excited even at this early stage, as was Mrs FBS and my 10 year old daughter.

As we approached the reception entrance, we noticed a large array of players cars parked up outside (including Barnes' Smart Car!!!) and realised with a further surge of excitement that the players were all in for training at the same time as junior FBS' party - 10.00am start. As if the sight of various players arriving at the same time as us and the other 14 kids was not exciting enough, what happened later was frankly the icing on the proverbial cake (not to be confused with the rather smart BHAFC shirt - shaped cake supplied by the club for the party).

Included in the cost of the two hour party (as well as said BHAFC cake) is a behind the scenes tour of the West Stand facilities, including changing rooms, press conference room, etc., plus a mini five-a-side tournament in the indoor astro-turf warm-up area, culminating in party food and music in the away dressing room (somewhat less luxurious than the home changing room!) and a visit from Gully to present junior FBS with a new kit (shirt, shorts & socks) with his name and age on the back of the shirt.

All of this was, in my opinion, fantastic value for money.

On arrival, Ian, the organiser, and our guide for the proceedings (ably assisted by Dale) firstly offered his apologies that we would not be able to see the home changing room as the players were likely to be in and out of there all morning. Not a problem, I said, as I'm sure the fact that we might get to see them on the pitch for a couple of minutes would make up for it.

So, we looked round the trophy cabinet, function suites and then up to the top of the West Stand where some of the kids had their first sight of the inside of the stadium and the pitch - the look on their faces and the gasps of awe were just fantastic! Ian then proceeded to give us short talk about the history of the stadium (did you know the electricty bill is c£250,000 per month?!?) but was interrupted by a certain Mr Oatway (senior) shouting up from the pitch to let us know that we were welcome to pop into the changing room as they were going to be out of there for ten minutes.

So, off we went (in the lift this time) back down to ground level and through the matchday press room (very nice too) and into the corridor that leads to the dressing room, past the kit and laundry room (where a nice lady showed us Ulloa's hat-trick shirt freshly washed and dried) and onto the dressing room, where we were ushered in but asked politely not to disturb CMS who was having a massage (he still said hi to us all though - cue much swooning by FBS sister-in-law!) and into the main changing room where Paul Watson was busy doing something to someone's kit (not sure what!) but was happy to stop and say hi as well.

So, onwards out the tunnel and pitchside where everyone could have their turn at sitting in Gus and Tanno's seats and watch some of the players training (great volley from Gus which ended up in the top row of the North Stand, much to the amusement of all present!) then back inside to play football for half an hour.

Whilst waiting turns to go into the warm-up room, we were lucky enough to see most of the players coming and going, including Vicente who smiled sweetly at everyone, waved and said hello and then Adam El Abd and Dean Hammond who stopped to ask the kids if they were having a good time, swiflty followed by Ashley Barnes, Gary Dicker and Will Buckley. Tanno got in on the act too and Spanish Dave, Orlandi and Brezovan then, for me the highlight of the morning, was Gus coming out specifically to see us and say hello and insisting on posing for a group photo with all the kids and then with me on my own!

A lot of negative stuff is said about footballers but I have to say every single player and member of staff we saw on Sunday was fantastic and we could not have imagined how great the party could have been. Without exception, every single kid went home and told their parents it was the best party they'd ever been to and apparently one kid who turned up wearing a Chelsea kit went home and replaced his Chelsea bedroom posters with Brighton stuff from the party bag (and free matchday programme) and informed his parents that he is now a Brighton supporter! I suspect on the evidence of Sunday's experience that he won't be the only one!

Forgive the waffling, but I just wanted to share this experience with you. I will of course send a letter of thanks directly to the Club and my son is also writing his own letter.

I bloody love The Albion!

To borrow a phrase...

It's the stuff of Champions, it's the stuff of dreams

Great write-up, and a belated happy birthday to Stenno Jr.

 

[Official Old Man]

Well done to the club, players and Gus