[Albion] Stand or Fall

[Thunder Bolt]

I think I remember this correctly, when DK was looking for Stadium sponsors, we were still in league one, so he had the use the community part as a bit of a way to encourage them, as he could not say "Brighton, a league one side is gong to make your brand bigger" I'm sure it was something like that. Maybe they just think the shorter name is better now as it has always been referred to as "the Amex" since they became involved.

You do remember it correctly but personally, I felt the word Community was important. I know the club’s reaction to the Shoreham disaster was community in action, but I felt the outward sign was important too. Maybe it’s just semantics?

 

[DavidRyder]

I think I remember this correctly, when DK was looking for Stadium sponsors, we were still in league one, so he had the use the community part as a bit of a way to encourage them, as he could not say "Brighton, a league one side is gong to make your brand bigger" I'm sure it was something like that. Maybe they just think the shorter name is better now as it has always been referred to as "the Amex" since they became involved.

I'm pretty sure it was called 'The Amax' on commentary for the Doncaster game...!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I'm pretty sure it was called 'The Amax' on commentary for the Doncaster game...!

Funniest thing is that all of us now alive will always call it the Amex, even if the club were to sell the naming rights to some crypto-wank like eToro

 

[Brian Fantana]

You do remember it correctly but personally, I felt the word Community was important. I know the club’s reaction to the Shoreham disaster was community in action, but I felt the outward sign was important too. Maybe it’s just semantics?

I respect your opinion, but I think personally you're reading too much into it. The work of the foundation, from what I can see, continues to grow and grow. Considering the faster-than-expected progress that the club has gone through, I think by and large things are still done on a fairly micro level where possible. The twice-per-season away game events, where TB and PB attend, isn't something I see a lot of other clubs doing, for example.

The uncomfortable element of it is that as the the club continues to grow commercially (and geographically in terms of support and coverage), naturally there will be less focus on the local community element per se. That doesn't mean it will be ignored or denigrated in any way though.

I think if you compared the Albion to other clubs in the PL, and indeed the EFL, we'd probably rank pretty highly when it comes to fan engagement and community initiatives across the board. If we can couple those things with continued success on the pitch, it will carry on being a bloody brilliant time to be an Albion supporter.

 

[Silverhatch]

I think I remember this correctly, when DK was looking for Stadium sponsors, we were still in league one, so he had the use the community part as a bit of a way to encourage them, as he could not say "Brighton, a league one side is gong to make your brand bigger" I'm sure it was something like that. Maybe they just think the shorter name is better now as it has always been referred to as "the Amex" since they became involved.

Amex sponsorship of the club was a pan-regional deal that didn’t directly involve the US (Amex) mothership - hence Community Stadium. Once US domestic became ‘aware’ of the deal i.e. the PL was making big waves in the US - the mothership and brand people gave the OK for the name change to American Express Stadium. At the same time the club made the charitable arm a Foundation (again a term the US is happy with). This is all a key part of growing the brand, as indeed is Stand or Fall.

 

[Crispy Ambulance]

Funniest thing is that all of us now alive will always call it the Amex, even if the club were to sell the naming rights to some crypto-wank like eToro

Not all of us. It’s Falmer for me. Always has been, always will be.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Not all of us. It’s Falmer for me. Always has been, always will be.

If anyone asks why tell them the answer is in your book

 

[Crispy Ambulance]

If anyone asks why tell them the answer is in your book

If anyone asks why tell them the answer is in your book

Yep. In the section ‘Where Were You When We Were Shit?’

(Cheers for the plug )

 

[el punal]

I love our club, but we've totally sold out on everything we fought for in those years.

Back then, Fans Utd and saving the club were not just about ensuring the Albion's survival, they were about standing up and saying that this shouldn't happen to ANY club.

Personally, I think we had fire in our belly, and for every other fan we met - either at Fans Utd or as we went on the road - it was about looking them in the eye and saying, 'if we don't do something about this, then it could be you next.'

When we survived, I thought we might go on to build something different. To build a club prepared to stand up and say what it thought. To be a club that never ever turned a blind eye to bad owners, corruption in football, and unfair treatment of fans. To be a club that would happily campaign for the Scunthorpes and Bury FCs. But that didn't happen.

Instead, we ourselves turned a blind eye to one man taking over the club again. Why? Because he's a good egg and he's a life long fan. It's Barber's contant response the the question of why there isn't more fan representation on the board. He says, "why do we need it? We already have a fan owning the club."

Personally, I want to be the only club in the Premier League campaign for a Football Regulator. Instead we're supporting the status quo in the name of business, because doesn't England want the most commercially successful league in the world? Well, I'll point out that it's countries without the Premier League that have won all the World Cups and European Championships.

So, this film, it's just a sticking plaster. A nice memory. It makes us feel good and stops us asking the difficult questions.

The response to the Shoreham Air Disaster was brilliant. It showed great human qualities. I don't doubt the that club has huge integrity and ethics. But what I'm talking about is something that goes deeper. Something that is about changing the fabric of the game for all the fans. Making sure that every club and every fan is supported. Making sure that the club really does put the community first rather than just do the Albion Foundation stuff because it's part of an ESG box tick.

What is our purpose as a club? Is it just to be successful? Or is it to be a club that stands up for fans? When I was trudging the streets giving our Falmer Yes leaflets, I guess I thought the latter.

Anyhow, as I say, I love my club. What I feel is just a matter for me, but I thought I'd share it anyhow.

Up The Albion!

Well we all have different views on what a football club should be and what it represents. Suffice to say your views are totally different to mine. We are credited with having the best run football club in the Premier League and are shown as a beacon for ‘smaller’ clubs to aspire to. I love the fact that we are now challenging the elite and playing beautiful football as well. Is that not what we all wanted back in the dark days of the 1990s?

 

[Nicksinclair13]

Looking forward to watching this tomorrow after mine and the lads first WSL match…

Can someone that’s been please let me know if I definitely have to print the ticket and take a paper copy or will I be able to scan the barcode off my phone?

 

[Cotton Socks]

Just back from the screening.
Without wanting to give too much away... Holy s**t, I had no idea that was where the cup final money went!!!!
It was really good & worth the wait.
Nope, I did not have any tears in my eyes at any point, my hay fever is very bad at the moment & makes my eyes itch. Others seemed to have it as well so I'm assuming it's because of the mild weather.
It was odd putting faces to a couple of names on here. One in particular should look far more sombre!
Yes, I did feel that things were 'missing' from the last few years but there simply isn't enough time to fit it all into one documentary, that was already over 1.5 hours long. It will also be really subjective as what to what we want included.
If there are tickets left & you can go, go.

 

[Cotton Socks]

Looking forward to watching this tomorrow after mine and the lads first WSL match…

Can someone that’s been please let me know if I definitely have to print the ticket and take a paper copy or will I be able to scan the barcode off my phone?

I just used the QR from my phone. It did mean I had to download the pdfs to get them. I had a 'yoof' with me, so when I 'lost' one ticket after downloading it, I got an eyeroll & an instruction to hand him my phone. Someone will be able to help, there were other 'yoofs' there (yoof is someone under 25 in my eyes).

 

[Nicksinclair13]

I just used the QR from my phone. It did mean I had to download the pdfs to get them. I had a 'yoof' with me, so when I 'lost' one ticket after downloading it, I got an eyeroll & an instruction to hand him my phone. Someone will be able to help, there were other 'yoofs' there (yoof is someone under 25 in my eyes).

Ah perfect thank you… I don’t quite slot into the yoof category anymore but I like to think I am close enough to have decent control of a PDF

 

[portlock seagull]

Not seen yet but am in it apparently as sure a good number on here are too (back room / ground foot soldier types!). Strangely, now been released I’m hesitant to see. I mean, those years were a fecking nightmare full of despair. It sucked my youth literally. Not entirely certain I want to ‘trigger’ such memories.

 

[UnhingedSeagull94]

Not seen yet but am in it apparently as sure a good number on here are too (back room / ground foot soldier types!). Strangely, now been released I’m hesitant to see. I mean, those years were a fecking nightmare full of despair. It sucked my youth literally. Not entirely certain I want to ‘trigger’ such memories.

Go see it!

 

[Cotton Socks]

Not seen yet but am in it apparently as sure a good number on here are too (back room / ground foot soldier types!). Strangely, now been released I’m hesitant to see. I mean, those years were a fecking nightmare full of despair. It sucked my youth literally. Not entirely certain I want to ‘trigger’ such memories.

Without the 'ground foot soldier types' we wouldn't be where we are now.

 

[nickbrighton]

well that was bloody brilliant

 

[Since1982]

Watched it yesterday evening, what a wonderful film. We all know the story but it is told again so well that the emotions of all those key moments really struck home. Fantastic input from so many fans as well.

 

[Frutos]

Apologies if I've missed it, but has there been any info regarding a streaming release or similar?

 

[Official Old Man]

Amex sponsorship of the club was a pan-regional deal that didn’t directly involve the US (Amex) mothership - hence Community Stadium. Once US domestic became ‘aware’ of the deal i.e. the PL was making big waves in the US - the mothership and brand people gave the OK for the name change to American Express Stadium. At the same time the club made the charitable arm a Foundation (again a term the US is happy with). This is all a key part of growing the brand, as indeed is Stand or Fall.

I may have got this wrong, but didn't the change and dropping of 'community stadium' come about because of Europe and sponsorship. We had to drop the American Express name but at the same time those signs emerged hanging off the roof.
Or was it the Ladies Euros? Or the Rugby?
One of those.