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Brighton v Swindon Playoff Leg 2
- Thread starter Stevie Boy
- Start date
Everything about that night was dramatic. After picking up sunburn on the Sunday at Swindon I was on edge all week at work.
Was soaked to the skin before I got to the ground (it really was raining in biblical proportions). Dire game. We were awful and as soon as they scored I thought our best chance was to hold on for penalties, though no one round me knew if away goals counted double or not.
When they went two up I thought we had gone and was talking about Bristol City beating them. Then Virgo stepped up for his place in history.
When they missed the second penalty it seemed to take a couple of minutes to sink in before I came round to witness everyone going nuts. Stood there for about five minutes trying to drink it in before everyone I know who had ever shown an interest in the club got in touch to ask about tickets.
Oddly enough the couple of Swindon fans I have talked to don't seem to mind that much now as we beat Bristol City.
Was soaked to the skin before I got to the ground (it really was raining in biblical proportions). Dire game. We were awful and as soon as they scored I thought our best chance was to hold on for penalties, though no one round me knew if away goals counted double or not.
When they went two up I thought we had gone and was talking about Bristol City beating them. Then Virgo stepped up for his place in history.
When they missed the second penalty it seemed to take a couple of minutes to sink in before I came round to witness everyone going nuts. Stood there for about five minutes trying to drink it in before everyone I know who had ever shown an interest in the club got in touch to ask about tickets.
Oddly enough the couple of Swindon fans I have talked to don't seem to mind that much now as we beat Bristol City.
Beach Hut
Brighton Bhuna Boy
My program is unreadable from the game.
My emotions went haywire through that match but alls well that ends well.
I must admit I thought we were finished when they went two up but both my son and I kept saying to each other something will happen, remain positive........
At the end Mum was so proud to catch a glimpse of Junior on the pitch on Sky.
Afterwards we back up past the Swindon fans and one was going ballistic on his phone shouting down if f*cking queers etc
I have to say I did kind of sympathise - it can't be nice going out like that.
My emotions went haywire through that match but alls well that ends well.
I must admit I thought we were finished when they went two up but both my son and I kept saying to each other something will happen, remain positive........
At the end Mum was so proud to catch a glimpse of Junior on the pitch on Sky.
Afterwards we back up past the Swindon fans and one was going ballistic on his phone shouting down if f*cking queers etc
I have to say I did kind of sympathise - it can't be nice going out like that.
Beach Hut said:
Afterwards we back up past the Swindon fans and one was going ballistic on his phone shouting down if f*cking queers etc
I have to say I did kind of sympathise - it can't be nice going out like that.
My one negative moment of that night was seeing a Swindon fan having a go at one of our lads. They rolled into the road at the bottom of Tongdean Lane in front of a car. Fortunately their mates on each side dragged them apart and it fizzled out.
Hove&Albion F.C
New member
- May 15, 2004
- 790
I was having the worst day of my life- massive argument with my (then) girlfriend, followed by spending the whole day on delayed trains home from Manchester. Then wearing just my albion shirt as it was warm and sunny all day, made my way into brighton. Came out of the font and got absolutely drenched through. Cold and wet the whole game. Was the worst performance of the season. Couldnt stop looking over at the swindon fans and feeling really jealous after they'd scored their second. Felt so depressed, wanted to wake up and for the day to have been just a bad dream.
Then up pop ADAM VIRGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never in my life have my emotions gone from one extreme to the other like that. Went absolutely mental. KNEW we were going to win the shootout.. although was still extremely nervous watching them.
What an evening... in the end.
Then up pop ADAM VIRGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never in my life have my emotions gone from one extreme to the other like that. Went absolutely mental. KNEW we were going to win the shootout.. although was still extremely nervous watching them.
What an evening... in the end.
Was in J Block when it all happened. I clearly remember thinking "This is it. Our entire season wasted. And another one in this f***ing division..."
I've never celebrated like when Virgo scored before or since, and I don't think I ever will, even winning the shootout didn't compare to that celebration, it was unreal.
Re-located back a few rows for the shootout, next to Hiney (who forgot to mention me
) Like someone else said (sorry, can't be bothered to read through again to see who), even at that end I could so clearly here the ball cannon off the post... then pandemonium, again.
Ended up on the pitch (on Sky for about 5 seconds being followed about full screen apparently - I've never seen it, but will be emailing about a DVD...), and then bumped in Dick Knight. I think I shook his hand, and told him I loved him. But it all seems like a dream now....
I've never celebrated like when Virgo scored before or since, and I don't think I ever will, even winning the shootout didn't compare to that celebration, it was unreal.
Re-located back a few rows for the shootout, next to Hiney (who forgot to mention me
) Like someone else said (sorry, can't be bothered to read through again to see who), even at that end I could so clearly here the ball cannon off the post... then pandemonium, again.Ended up on the pitch (on Sky for about 5 seconds being followed about full screen apparently - I've never seen it, but will be emailing about a DVD...), and then bumped in Dick Knight. I think I shook his hand, and told him I loved him. But it all seems like a dream now....
Braders
Abi Fletchers Gimpboy
i was to your right then !DTES said:Re-located back a few rows for the shootout, next to Hiney (who forgot to mention me
Safeway
M0DERAT0R
Was stood next to who I've since found out to be The Full Harris on here. I say WAS stood next to me, because after Virgo scored he wasn't there anymore. Eventually saw him clambering his way up four or five rows of seats as the penalties were due to begin.
We were so exhausated afterwards that it was home after just a couple of celebratory beers.
The most amazing night at Withdean EVER.
We were so exhausated afterwards that it was home after just a couple of celebratory beers.
The most amazing night at Withdean EVER.
bathseagull
New member
I'm going to watch Brentford v Swindon this afternoon.
Perhaps a few SEAGULLS chants?
hit the bar, hit the bar, hit the bar!
Perhaps a few SEAGULLS chants?
hit the bar, hit the bar, hit the bar!
Safeway said:
I was the other side of Mr Full Harris; the look of delight on his face as he fell down the rows of the stand head first was something I won't forget in a while.
I too was cold, wet and bloody miserable for 119 minutes of that game, and of course the rest is history. I also remember hugging quite a few random people, one of whom was probably Safeway. I have never and probably will never go that mental again when we score, though last week and Spurs ran it pretty close.
Shizuoka Dolphin
NSC M0DERATOR
Quality night - and my one and only time on the Withdean pitch. Horrendous game until the last minute. After that there no way we were going to lose the shoot out.
sneakychef
New member
I had to watch it in Liverpool. Went nice and early to the bar where we always watch football to find that they had taken all their screens down because "the season had ended". So after a frantic trip to two bars that refused to show it I started to feel a little more than anxious.
I'm just about to leave the John Moores student union when the bouncer stops me to ask if there's a game on tonight as I'm wearing the shirt. I tell him yes but they're not showing it. So he goes to the bar and gets them to put it on the big screen. Don't get the sound mind, but in the state I was, I was more than happy with the visual.
So then follows what you will all remember to be one of the dullest football games you will ever have the privilege to bite your nails through. Me and about three friends are the only one's interested at this point and we are steadily making our way through a fair few pints -what with nerves and all
.
They score and my nervousness just goes through the roof and I'm fearing the worst
. There's absoutely no way I can see us scoring, and the game fizzles out into extra time. I take another trip to the bar and now there's a couple more people watching. Then they score and that's me finished right there, all hope out the window. Right then I realise I don't know if it's silver goal extra time and without the commentry I'm not going to find out. The way the Swindon players were time wasting had me convinced, it was and one of the scariest moments of my life when he blew for half time in extra time. Thier lack of celebrating was the only thing that convinced me in the end.
I'm an absolute wreak now, I've already lived what I thought might be the final minutes and I didn't want to have to do it again. But again and again we came forward and not once looked like we would actually score. I slumped back in my chair finally giving up hope when again the ball came out to the right, got put in, and that beautiful specimen of a human being Adam Virgo knocked it into the back of the net. I remember squinting at the screen trying to see what side of the net it was. Then desperately scanning the screen for the linesman -meanwhile my mates around me (none of them actual Brighton fans) celebrating- then jumping around like an absolute loon, screaming my head off. Finally now I realise the entire bar (instead of just the 2 earlier) is looking in this direction -granted most of them were just laughing at me but I like to think some of them were now interested in the game.
Then the shoot-out. I was still determined we were going to lose, I suddenly had the greatest feeling that Iwelumo was going to miss. I was so happy to see his fly in. When they missed their first (and of all people moony) I jumped up and forward, catching my foot on the stage in front of the screen, twisted round and fell on my arse still shouting and shaking my fists in triumph to the ever increasing crowd -who I am told were there just to laugh at me. Virgo smacked his in the top corner (just) and they hit the post -absolutely beautiful. Setting up the only way to have fun in Wales.
I'm just about to leave the John Moores student union when the bouncer stops me to ask if there's a game on tonight as I'm wearing the shirt. I tell him yes but they're not showing it. So he goes to the bar and gets them to put it on the big screen. Don't get the sound mind, but in the state I was, I was more than happy with the visual.
So then follows what you will all remember to be one of the dullest football games you will ever have the privilege to bite your nails through. Me and about three friends are the only one's interested at this point and we are steadily making our way through a fair few pints -what with nerves and all
.They score and my nervousness just goes through the roof and I'm fearing the worst
. There's absoutely no way I can see us scoring, and the game fizzles out into extra time. I take another trip to the bar and now there's a couple more people watching. Then they score and that's me finished right there, all hope out the window. Right then I realise I don't know if it's silver goal extra time and without the commentry I'm not going to find out. The way the Swindon players were time wasting had me convinced, it was and one of the scariest moments of my life when he blew for half time in extra time. Thier lack of celebrating was the only thing that convinced me in the end.I'm an absolute wreak now, I've already lived what I thought might be the final minutes and I didn't want to have to do it again. But again and again we came forward and not once looked like we would actually score. I slumped back in my chair finally giving up hope when again the ball came out to the right, got put in, and that beautiful specimen of a human being Adam Virgo knocked it into the back of the net. I remember squinting at the screen trying to see what side of the net it was. Then desperately scanning the screen for the linesman -meanwhile my mates around me (none of them actual Brighton fans) celebrating- then jumping around like an absolute loon, screaming my head off. Finally now I realise the entire bar (instead of just the 2 earlier) is looking in this direction -granted most of them were just laughing at me but I like to think some of them were now interested in the game.
Then the shoot-out. I was still determined we were going to lose, I suddenly had the greatest feeling that Iwelumo was going to miss. I was so happy to see his fly in. When they missed their first (and of all people moony) I jumped up and forward, catching my foot on the stage in front of the screen, twisted round and fell on my arse still shouting and shaking my fists in triumph to the ever increasing crowd -who I am told were there just to laugh at me. Virgo smacked his in the top corner (just) and they hit the post -absolutely beautiful. Setting up the only way to have fun in Wales.
Exiled in Exeter
New member
Watched it in a pub in Exeter. Just me supporting the Albion (and some mates who support other teams but came along to watch) and some other bloke supporting Swindon. Whole pub seemed pretty disinterested in the match, but that changed as soon as it went to penalties.
I had managed to keep fairly calm, but that changed after Virgo’s goal, after being initially sure I saw it whistle past the post and wide.
I had managed to keep fairly calm, but that changed after Virgo’s goal, after being initially sure I saw it whistle past the post and wide.
Stevie Boy
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #74
It has been great reading all the posts people have put down of where they were wot they were doing etc, its a night i wont forget for a long time
Jam The Man
Well-known member
i clearly recall speaking to my mate next to me and pointing to my watch - having timed it for the second half of extra time - it said 19 secs to go.
It was sucha sinking feeling that we'd come through a whole season to thses few seconds. Then the throw in, the flick on and the goal sent me into an explosion of which i cannot recall ever experiencing before ...and i doubt i'll experience it again - the moment was indescribable. For me the win on pens after that moment was a mere formality.
It was sucha sinking feeling that we'd come through a whole season to thses few seconds. Then the throw in, the flick on and the goal sent me into an explosion of which i cannot recall ever experiencing before ...and i doubt i'll experience it again - the moment was indescribable. For me the win on pens after that moment was a mere formality.
Stevie Boy
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #76
the time on sky when the goal went in was 30:03, planned to perfection
Göttingen gull
Member
my mate took the corner flag. u can see him running off with it on the sky footage.
Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
Game sounded better on the radio than it must have looked live. Stayed up all night to listen to the beeb, by the time penalties had finished the sun had come u and I was a complete wreck. Very happy one though
Mick Beard BHA
Hirsute
lost in london said:
Ah, that was you then! To give the Swidon fan his dues he was fairly dignified throughout. Took our banter and chants with good humour; tried to sing back on his own (but obviously just got shouted down anyway). Gave a little bit of lair when Fallon scored, but hey, who wouldnt. He even shook my hand when it was all over.
We DESTROYED the Sports Cafe when Virgo scored. Absolutely brilliant atmosphere, definitely my best football moment ever
hutchings (48)
New member
Mixed emotions about the swindon Play-off games.
I am an exiled Seagulls fan living in the depths of Wiltshire. I couldn't get a ticket for the first leg in with the away supporters, so i nipped up to the County Ground and got a ticket in with the home supporters. No problem I thought. I'm a sensible family man, 20 years experience of watching the Albion I can detach myself emotionally from the game and if we score I wont draw attention to myself in any way.
Watch the first half of the game which was poor from our point of view. Seems like a good atmosphere and I notice there are about 20 odd empty seats in the bottom left hand corner of the Stratton Bank. So I decide to approach a steward at half time and explain I live locally, only way I could get a ticket etc. could I go in with the albion fans. I've seen it hundreds of times before, away fans get in the wrong part of the ground for whatever reason and are escorted into the right section. Steward is a right jobsworth and has to talk to "control". Word comes back from "control" that I have identified myself as a away supporter in the home section, this is against ground regulations and I am going to have to ask you to leave !!!!!!!!!!!! So I'm assertively sheperded out of the ground. Missed the second half and chippys goal.
A number of things rile me about the way I was treated that day which I wont bore you with, but I couldn't believe that someone who couldn't be more unlikey to cause any trouble, who was on his own and who would sooner not go to a game if he thought his presence would upset someone could be asked to leave. I would suggest I am precisley the sort of person football clubs should be encouraging to come: gets behind the team vocally (in appropriate circumstances!) and has a bit of cash to spend.
I listened to the second half in the car, but my heart wasn't really in it to be honest because I was really upset. Chippys goal barely even registered.
Anyhow, the sceond leg. Also couldn't get a ticket so have to watch the game in a pub in Devizes, packed to the rafters with Swindon fans!!!!!!!
Mid way through the second half they were pretty despondant and they're chant of sing your hearts out for the boys was quite pathetic. They scored - deleruim! They scored again - more delerium. Virgo scores - silence ! As I thought, I was able to contain myself in the midst of the enemy, but it was difficult. The temptation to get in eveyones faces who had spent the last 20 minutes making their travel plans was stong.
Penalties? Well we all know what happened. I couldn't hear the hit the bar chant on the TV but I shared your mirth when swindon did indeed hit the post and Mooney missed his pen. After Virgo scored I sensed that they didn't think it was going to be they're night, and most of them quietly left the pub. The few people I was with who did know my identity were well jeaslous I was going to Cardiff and not them. Managed to contain myself until I get home, where I emit a few screams of joy, almost primal in their nature !!!!
The whole play off thing left a bitter taste in the mouth to be honest. I used to take a positive interest in Swindons results being local lad now, but not anymore, and they are up there with Man U and Palace now for me. Apart from what happened at the County Ground all I heard talking to local fans and in the local media at the time was a Bristol/Swindon final was somehow pre-ordained. Didn't work out that way did it? BTW, how did you get on in the Lower Divison Vase this season ?
I am an exiled Seagulls fan living in the depths of Wiltshire. I couldn't get a ticket for the first leg in with the away supporters, so i nipped up to the County Ground and got a ticket in with the home supporters. No problem I thought. I'm a sensible family man, 20 years experience of watching the Albion I can detach myself emotionally from the game and if we score I wont draw attention to myself in any way.
Watch the first half of the game which was poor from our point of view. Seems like a good atmosphere and I notice there are about 20 odd empty seats in the bottom left hand corner of the Stratton Bank. So I decide to approach a steward at half time and explain I live locally, only way I could get a ticket etc. could I go in with the albion fans. I've seen it hundreds of times before, away fans get in the wrong part of the ground for whatever reason and are escorted into the right section. Steward is a right jobsworth and has to talk to "control". Word comes back from "control" that I have identified myself as a away supporter in the home section, this is against ground regulations and I am going to have to ask you to leave !!!!!!!!!!!! So I'm assertively sheperded out of the ground. Missed the second half and chippys goal.
A number of things rile me about the way I was treated that day which I wont bore you with, but I couldn't believe that someone who couldn't be more unlikey to cause any trouble, who was on his own and who would sooner not go to a game if he thought his presence would upset someone could be asked to leave. I would suggest I am precisley the sort of person football clubs should be encouraging to come: gets behind the team vocally (in appropriate circumstances!) and has a bit of cash to spend.
I listened to the second half in the car, but my heart wasn't really in it to be honest because I was really upset. Chippys goal barely even registered.
Anyhow, the sceond leg. Also couldn't get a ticket so have to watch the game in a pub in Devizes, packed to the rafters with Swindon fans!!!!!!!
Mid way through the second half they were pretty despondant and they're chant of sing your hearts out for the boys was quite pathetic. They scored - deleruim! They scored again - more delerium. Virgo scores - silence ! As I thought, I was able to contain myself in the midst of the enemy, but it was difficult. The temptation to get in eveyones faces who had spent the last 20 minutes making their travel plans was stong.
Penalties? Well we all know what happened. I couldn't hear the hit the bar chant on the TV but I shared your mirth when swindon did indeed hit the post and Mooney missed his pen. After Virgo scored I sensed that they didn't think it was going to be they're night, and most of them quietly left the pub. The few people I was with who did know my identity were well jeaslous I was going to Cardiff and not them. Managed to contain myself until I get home, where I emit a few screams of joy, almost primal in their nature !!!!
The whole play off thing left a bitter taste in the mouth to be honest. I used to take a positive interest in Swindons results being local lad now, but not anymore, and they are up there with Man U and Palace now for me. Apart from what happened at the County Ground all I heard talking to local fans and in the local media at the time was a Bristol/Swindon final was somehow pre-ordained. Didn't work out that way did it? BTW, how did you get on in the Lower Divison Vase this season ?
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