Washboard Didgets
Graphic Designer
Anyone thinking of having a moan either on here or directly to anyone at the club. Please STOP, take a few minutes to think about things and engage your brain before continuing. I seriously think there are a (hopefully minority) group of fans who really need to reset their mindset.
[soapbox]
At the moment I think too many people are thinking of The Amex (and Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club circa 2011/12 generally) in the same way that people think of a brand new car.
If you've ever gone to a car showroom and chosen a new car, poured over the brochure and options list, gone for a test drive, chosen the colour and then finally done the deal and placed the order. You then sit waiting for months and months whilst your order is processed, a build slot is confirmed, your car is built and eventually shipped and ready for collection. Throughout this time you've imagined it and pictured it being perfect. Then the day comes to collect it or soon after, and you notice a tiny imperfection or scratch in the paintwork, or something inside the car rattles when you go over a bump.
You lose all sense of reality and the fact that your new car is much better than your old one. It looks perfect to everyone else, but all you notice are the little niggles.
The mindset that people SHOULD have is the one of proud parents. You've waited months and months for your new arrival, you've had ups and downs but now the time has finally come and you couldn't be happier. Those visiting might think it's ears might stick out a bit more than they should, or it's eyes might not be the right shade of blue, and yes it has a few gaps in it's teeth, but none of these things actually matter. It is still PERFECT in your eyes and you are proud and elated.
Then as it grows up you have the excitement and the nerves of the first day at school, the day when some bigger boys pick on it or it takes a couple of knocks in the playground. But it is still your baby, you will always love it and support it and nurture it.
So stop moaning, picking faults, tutting and shaking your head when they don't move quick enough or get an answer to a question wrong... Instead, be a proud parent looking forward to seeing your beloved Albion grow bigger and stronger. And when things don't go to plan, don't say 'I told you so', get behind them and support them!
They need us as much as we need them.
[/soapbox]
[soapbox]
At the moment I think too many people are thinking of The Amex (and Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club circa 2011/12 generally) in the same way that people think of a brand new car.
If you've ever gone to a car showroom and chosen a new car, poured over the brochure and options list, gone for a test drive, chosen the colour and then finally done the deal and placed the order. You then sit waiting for months and months whilst your order is processed, a build slot is confirmed, your car is built and eventually shipped and ready for collection. Throughout this time you've imagined it and pictured it being perfect. Then the day comes to collect it or soon after, and you notice a tiny imperfection or scratch in the paintwork, or something inside the car rattles when you go over a bump.
You lose all sense of reality and the fact that your new car is much better than your old one. It looks perfect to everyone else, but all you notice are the little niggles.
The mindset that people SHOULD have is the one of proud parents. You've waited months and months for your new arrival, you've had ups and downs but now the time has finally come and you couldn't be happier. Those visiting might think it's ears might stick out a bit more than they should, or it's eyes might not be the right shade of blue, and yes it has a few gaps in it's teeth, but none of these things actually matter. It is still PERFECT in your eyes and you are proud and elated.
Then as it grows up you have the excitement and the nerves of the first day at school, the day when some bigger boys pick on it or it takes a couple of knocks in the playground. But it is still your baby, you will always love it and support it and nurture it.
So stop moaning, picking faults, tutting and shaking your head when they don't move quick enough or get an answer to a question wrong... Instead, be a proud parent looking forward to seeing your beloved Albion grow bigger and stronger. And when things don't go to plan, don't say 'I told you so', get behind them and support them!
They need us as much as we need them.
[/soapbox]
