Just came back from Goldstone Retail Park

[Garage_Doors]

The point is i genuinly dont think anyone who has been there can call them selves true Albion in my eyes.

We are all passionate about the Albion, maybe some more than others,but that is a silly statement.

My family have all worked there at some time, some full time and others, like me part time, we all have the Albion in our blood , its in our family, but i have no problem shopping there.
I too was bitter and twisted about, and it still holds bad memories, but it serves no purpose to hold the grudge , it only hurting you, no one else.

 

[Garage_Doors]

I recently discovered my Dad, who admitedly has not been in the country for 7 years, went there when over visiting. I walked away from him as he told me and to be honest that was our last real link. I havent spoken to him since and to be homest have no real interest in doing so now!

I think this says more about your relationship with your father. a case of the straw that broke the camel back, so to speak,
If this was the last link holding you together, then you existing relationship was already fragile.
Family is far more important than football, even if its your livelihood.

 

[Brovion]

Personally, I have never had a problem with shopping at Focus or going to the Goldstone Retail Park. If they have got what I need then that's where I go.

The fact is, irrespective of who was our chairman at the time, we would have had to have sold the Goldstone as we were upto our eyeballs in debt. The only difference would have been that an honest chairman would have ensured we had got the new stadium first rather than trying to make a quick buck. Either way, JJB, DFS, Toy's r us and Burger King would still be there.

As for Focus, it is the only DIY store in town so I'm not traveling 10 miles each time I need a packet of nails. I would prefer it if there was no link to Archer but thats life. What are you going to do if you find out he has shares in Sainsbury, Asda, Lidl, Waitrose, Tesco et al. Are you going to starve?

Get over it and look to the future.

Yup that's pretty much my view as well. (Notters, Archer doesn't own Focus any more). I regularly shop at the Goldstone Retail Park, indeed you could argue (but I won't) that Archer actually did us a favour; there's no way the Goldstone could have been redeveloped into a modern ground and there's no way we'd have got Falmer if we still had the Goldstone. The way things panned out we've got a shared history of us all being united in our fight to get rid of Archer and our fight to get Falmer. Can you imagine the binfests on here between the modernists and the traditionalists if we were having a 'Goldstone or new ground?' debate.

Mind you I AM still boycotting Forfars. I actually hate LDC and their allies more than I hate Archer. No doubt some will think I'm a bit sad for having that attitude but there you go. Differn't strokes and all that.

 

[Simster]

The first time I went past the Goldstone Retail Park (about 3 or 4 years ago), I had a lump in my throat and a tear would have rolled down my cheek if I had been a BIRD.

Nowadays I still feed sufficiently sad about the place not to go in there - not for any principled reason, just because I find it upsetting that a big part of my child hood and youth was ripped away from me by unscrupulous businessmen, consequently causing a good deal of pain for well over a decade. Until Falmer is playing host to regular crowds of around 18k (for that is when the club will finally have it's fan base back), I'll never find it easy to go there.

 

[severnside gull]

I drove past it once and had to pull up and wipe away a tear or two. I won't ever go in.

Love the idea of the walk on the day Falmer opens. How far is that? I'll have to get in training and travel down to join you.

 

[drew]

What about Wickes, about half a mile away and B&Q on lewes road I can't believe any Albion fan would ever go to Focus... You're putting money straight into his
pocket.

Really! I have lived here for over 40 years and in all that time, I am not sure I have ever found a 'Lewes Road' in Burgess Hill!!!!!!

With regard to all these people who state they won't visit the retail park until the first match at Falmer, what on earth are you trying to prove. Either stay away for good on principle or use the park now.

As for Sir Sarcy's comments, I have been an Albion regular for over 30 years, most of which have been as a season ticket holder. I have also followed them to over 70 different grounds around the country so please don't challenge my status as a fan. I am not interested in watching any other team other than England and don't put money in to the Sky Premiership.

If your only link with your dad was a history of going to the Goldstone then I feel sorry for you. Your actions no doubt will preclude you from having the same relationship with him when we play at Falmer. I hope if you have children your only involvement with them is not just limited to anything Albion related.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

I shop there. What's done is done. It won't affect to the fortunes of Archer one bit whether or not anyone chooses to shop there.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

It is a personal thing isn't it. I have never wanted to shop there - but would not be nothered is anyone else did. I would think my wife has been there - but sensibly would not mention it.

 

[Storer68]

But the sale of The Goldstone had nothing to do with Burger King, JJb, Comet or the Furniture Place, penalising them for buying flat land is pointless.

The blame lays with Archer & Bellotti and for that reason I will never ever go into Focud DIY regardless of whether he still owns it, they will never be forgiven and nor should they but the shops that now reside on the hallowed ground are free from blame IMO.

Don't get me wrong, I still look at photo's of the ground and step back 15 years and the walk down Goldstone Lane (behind the chicken run) always gets me reminicing but I haven't had a problem going to the retail park for years.

The only thing that annoys me about the place is that their is no statue, sign or anything that makes reference to what was there before and I doubt that the people that work there have any idea of the history of the place.

IT's CALLED A PRINCIPLE. I haven't gone there since it was being demolished. I said I would never set foot in the place again after the Donnny game and i haven't and i never will. In my memory its ALWAYS there


and please check the spelling...

 

[Caveman]

I now go with the stance of, i will walk onto site, but will not spend a penny of my money in any of the shops. If everyone followed the same logic the site would be shut down...but that is never going to happen is it!

As Falmer is being built I am not so wound up about it. Although I wont ever forget Archer and Co.

Someone said we would have had to sell the Goldstone anyway? Why didn't Archer sell it for the 14m it was actually worth rather than the 7m he sold it for? Quick sale and cash in his back pocket... but that is all in the past now...? Chartwell, sold it on again for a 7m (100% profit) a few months later didn't they.

 

[Garage_Doors]

I now go with the stance of, i will walk onto site, but will not spend a penny of my money in any of the shops. If everyone followed the same logic the site would be shut down...but that is never going to happen is it!

As Falmer is being built I am not so wound up about it. Although I wont ever forget Archer and Co.

Someone said we would have had to sell the Goldstone anyway? Why didn't Archer sell it for the 14m it was actually worth rather than the 7m he sold it for? Quick sale and cash in his back pocket... but that is all in the past now...? Chartwell, sold it on again for a 7m (100% profit) a few months later didn't they.

I thought it was sold to Chartwell for 14, and they then sold it on for 21 a year later whilst we were still playing there under notice.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I take the point about fans not wanting to go to the retail park because of the Archer / Bellotti thing, I really do, but I find it a bit odd.

Is it acceptable to start going there when, for instance, Falmer opens? If so, why? We've got a ground at the moment and it's in Brighton, not ideal but we have.

The facts are that the ground was crumbling in the 80s and 90s, and if it had been made completely all-seater the capacity would have been c. 20,000 tops. Had the ground not been sold we'd still have been faced with the problems of relocating.

Without Archer we might not have had Knight, and without Knight we might not have had Falmer (which gives us a bright future). I'm not one for dwelling on the past too much, and the way I see it we've got to look forward.

Besides which, DFS have got a superb sale and we will be buying a £750 sofabed interest-free £15 a week for 4 years - the DD won't touch the sides.

 

[Sir Sarcy]

Just to clear up a major point that seems to have been raised from previous comments. Yes me and my dad have a strained relationship that was probably glossed over with the Albion but the point was that on that occassion he forgot his values and morals and so i felt that there was nothing left in common from then on other than a biological link. I could easily have overlooked it but where would that leave me and my values.

Finally i appreciate that there are people on here who have supported the Albion for X number years and have done this and done that but how can you claim to really whole heartedly support the Albion if you can bring yourself to set foot on that land let alone make an organised trip to go there or for that matter work there.

Where are your ethics!

 

[Easy 10]

The point is i genuinly dont think anyone who has been there can call them selves true Albion in my eyes. I recently discovered my Dad, who admitedly has not been in the country for 7 years, went there when over visiting. I walked away from him as he told me and to be honest that was our last real link. I havent spoken to him since and to be homest have no real interest in doing so now!

Utter codswallop.
I've been watching the Albion regularly since 1987, went to Gillingham, have had a season ticket for EVERY SEASON at Withdean, go to numerous away games and my lad is now on his 2nd season ticket for Withdean. Yes, I have been to 'Toys R Us' a few times at the retail park to get presents for kids. So this means I can't call myself "true Albion" ? Bollocks does it. Whats happened has happened, and whilst a desperately wish we wern't sold down the river in 1997, its in the past now and there's nothing anyone can do about it now, except move on and look to the future.

I respect the views of those who say they will NEVER go there, but you need to get a grip on yerself son. Disowning your own Dad because he's been shopping there shows a CATASTROPHIC lack of perspective on your behalf all over a football team you (we) support.

God forbid, but if your Dad passed away tomorrow, how would you feel about turning your back on him for buying a toaster at Comets ?

 

[Sir Sarcy]

I like the fact that everyone who has been shopping on the site keeps coming on here justifying what an Albion fan they are with season tickets, away days, number of years etc. Why do you need to prove yourselves if you dont feel guilty for your actions.

Also its not as if the shops on that site are the only ones in the world. If there was a pharmacy that had a vaccine that i desperatley needed quick and i was on Hove park im sure i could manage it but why go there if you dont have to.............

God forbid, but if your Dad passed away tomorrow, how would you feel about turning your back on him for buying a toaster at Comets ?

Im well known for being emotionally dead inside so im sure i can handle it. Also i would appreciate people not questioning my judgement on the matter. Im a big boy now and none of you know the full circumstances. To be honest i regret using it as an example now.

 

[chez]

I like the fact that everyone who has been shopping on the site keeps coming on here justifying what an Albion fan they are with season tickets, away days, number of years etc. Why do you need to prove yourselves if you dont feel guilty for your actions.

Also its not as if the shops on that site are the only ones in the world. If there was a pharmacy that had a vaccine that i desperatley needed quick and i was on Hove park im sure i could manage it but why go there if you dont have to.............



Im well known for being emotionally dead inside so im sure i can handle it. Also i would appreciate people not questioning my judgement on the matter. Im a big boy now and none of you know the full circumstances. To be honest i regret using it as an example now.

To be honest Mate people are only justifying their their support of The Albion because you questioned it initially.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Where are your ethics!

Next to your Thuffolks.

 

[Easy 10]

I like the fact that everyone who has been shopping on the site keeps coming on here justifying what an Albion fan they are with season tickets, away days, number of years etc. Why do you need to prove yourselves if you dont feel guilty for your actions.

Well you're questioning it, so don't be surprised if people come back to "justify" it.
I'll admit it felt odd going there for the first time, still does, and I did hold off for a number of years before I took the plunge one Christmas for the sake of convenience, as what I was after was ONLY in stock at Toys R Us at the time.

I guess that makes me some kind of scumbag in your book, but thankfully I have enough perspective on life not to let stuff like this overly bother me or dictate my behaviour and shopping habits. I have enough fond memories of the Goldstone not to turn me into some kind of gibbering wreck every time I see it these days.

 

[drew]

I think we have to hope that the likes of Sir Sarcy form the very small minority of society otherwise we would all be in deep shit. Question is, does his dad still go to Withdean and if not, is this because of the feud. If so, you would have to question Sir Sarcy's dedication to the cause as he may have cost the Albion a supporter over these years.

Just a thought but I ain't going to lose any sleep over it.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

how can you claim to really whole heartedly support the Albion if you can bring yourself to set foot on that land let alone make an organised trip to go there or for that matter work there.

Please tell me what difference it would make if every single Brighton and Hove Albion fan didn't shop there....