The Amex Today

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I noticed few people left early, but the trains were apparently ok? How so?

Trains were excellent on the way to the game. Not sure what they were like after the game because by the time I'd walked round from the South Stand, the queue for the station was fairly substantial, as was only to be expected. The bus stop by the station though only had a minimal queue and got a bus back into town more or less straight away.

 

[Barham's tash]

Yes than Rotherham on Tuesday...but since it opened....Really??

Yes it genuinely was. Absolutely deafening at times. Noise from all stands and absolutely non stop.

We as Albionites should be ashamed that we've been given this amazing tool in the acoustics of the ground but rarely use it to its fullest.

Monotone drones of Alllllbiiiieerrn Allllbiieerrrn just don't cut it.

I noticed few people left early, but the trains were apparently ok? How so?

I know, who'd have thunk it? Stayed to watch the Japanese lap of honour, along with I'd say 85% of the crowd, and left for the train to Lewes.

Didn't make the first one but got the second and the queues were bigger than I've ever seen at a home game yet understand all on their merry way and home within an hour tops. Very slick.

Starting to think that sadly it's the nature of football fans to kick up a fuss, moan and jostle that make it a far less pleasurable experience all round.

 

[heathgate]

It's a similar experience to Twickenham if train is your travel option, walk in a big queue from the ground for approx half mile, orderly queue until the train arrives, nothing new.

 

[Return of the Rev]

All the glowing reports of service/atmosphere only highlight how poor its been for football at the amex,but you can't say this can you

 

[neilbard]

It maybe a design fault?

 

[Hamilton]

It's a similar experience to Twickenham if train is your travel option, walk in a big queue from the ground for approx half mile, orderly queue until the train arrives, nothing new.

Myself and Mrs Hamilton left Twickenham last night at 9.45 and were home in Brighton at 11.30. Not bad at all.

 

[Hamilton]

So pleased for everyone who went, especially that they enjoyed everything that came with it. I've often expounded the virtues of the great game and how different it is. Not that I'm comparing football to rugby, the two run in different spheres of sport and entertainment. But I've always said that if folk gave rugby a chance they would open up a whole new avenue of sporting interest. I haven't even seen today's match, but I'm thanking the God of rugger for it. For someone who follows both games today has been perfect. Albion stayed unbeaten, at the top of the league, and the AMEX hosted the biggest upset in Rugby World Cup history. Amazing.

Top post!

 

[backson]

I noticed few people left early, but the trains were apparently ok? How so?

I didn't think the trains were any different than usual, in fact slower if anything. I guess it's the difference in expectation between a fairly unique game in a four yearly global competition compared to going week in week out.

Still quicker than queuing for Twickenham station after a game there.

 

[foul old ron]

Oh why didn't I buy a ticket? Idiot.
Oh yeah, I remember, some rugby experts (?) told me that the games at the Amex would be very boring, predictable games and not worth watching.

 

[Marty___Mcfly]

Can anyone who went yesterday confirm if there were any bars etc outside the stadium pre kick off?

 

[Tarpon]

Can anyone who went yesterday confirm if there were any bars etc outside the stadium pre kick off?

Usual one sited by the bandstand. Horrific queues pre match. Swerved it and got a beer quickly on concourse. Several beer only stands had quick turn around.

 

[Silverhatch]

One big Heineken bus in North east corner and people with beer bottle dispenser packs wandering round - all at a fiver a pop.

One other thing about yesterday - you'll be able to go anywhere in South Africa and Japan and everyone will know where Brighton is now!

 

[Change at Barnham]

The roar when Japan scored the winner was louder than when Buckley scored in injury time against Doncaster. The atmosphere was better than any I've experienced at The Amex (probably Burnley a couple of seasons ago being the best). The look of stunned Saffers around us reminded me of ourselves at Lords in 1993 when we lost to Warwickshire in the NatWest Final. Half and half scarves on sale for £10 before the game being sold for £20 by dodgy geezers on the ramp to the station after the match.
Catering working fine, people high fiving strangers, beer being drunk while watching the game, orderly queues waiting for the trains for half an hour. Music pumping out from the bandstand outside the stadium before the game with people dancing.
Very proud to be from Sussex today and proud of the club. Well done to all involved.
Also a nice write up from Torygraph Sport:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11877404/Rugby-World-Cup-2015-Brightons-first-Rugby-World-Cup-match-will-never-be-forgotten.html?WT.mc_id=e_DM49361&WT.tsrc=email&etype=Edi_FAM_New&utm_source=email&utm_medium=Edi_FAM_New_2015_09_20&utm_campaign=DM49361

 

[The Birdman]

Thank goodness we have had brilliant weather which must help with the atmosphere and the Pitch!
It would be interesting how much beer is sold.
I was hoping we would win at Wolves and Bolton to engourage a few more fans to bring a couple of friends for Cardiff for £10 each.

 

[Captain Sensible]

Yes it genuinely was. Absolutely deafening at times. Noise from all stands and absolutely non stop.

We as Albionites should be ashamed that we've been given this amazing tool in the acoustics of the ground but rarely use it to its fullest.

Monotone drones of Alllllbiiiieerrn Allllbiieerrrn just don't cut it.



I know, who'd have thunk it? Stayed to watch the Japanese lap of honour, along with I'd say 85% of the crowd, and left for the train to Lewes.

Didn't make the first one but got the second and the queues were bigger than I've ever seen at a home game yet understand all on their merry way and home within an hour tops. Very slick.

Starting to think that sadly it's the nature of football fans to kick up a fuss, moan and jostle that make it a far less pleasurable experience all round.

In the first season the Donny, Southamption, Palace, Leeds, Liverpool & more I can't think of were non stop noise. The second season Sheff Weds, Arsenal, Palace 3-0 and some others were also very noisy and atmospheric. I find it in recent seasons that the noise level has dropped and that's due to the crap on the pitch. But this season, if we carry on with the results, will get louder and louder. I get the feeling we still don't quiet believe in the team enough yet. When and if the Premier league dream actually starts to become reality, then the encouragement from the crowd will increase.
Also you are comparing it to a one off, say Brighton played in a Champions League at a Neutral stadium somewhere, then listen to the noise we'd make. If USA Samoa is noisier than any footy at the Amex has been, then I'll take your point. There were a lot of Albion fans there yesterday, so I trust they will be making the same noise level against Cardiff after setting such a high benchmark? I doubt it.
Lastly I think the whole thing about bringing beer in to the arena increases noise. If we could do it, it would get a lot noisier.

 

[Eeyore]

I passed up on a ticket because I thought it would be a one-sided affair.

Still, South Africa gave it a go.

I wouldn't want to play them now though. Wounded animals.

 

[Official Old Man]

My once in a lifetime experience of a world cup match at the Amex.
Decided to go from Uckfield by bus as the P&R was £15 and it was only me. Bus was 35 minutes late so a bad start, arrived 30 minutes before KO. Outside felt like the 2012 Olympics, helpers everywhere with many on those tall stools. Well sign posted for those never been before (95% I guess). The upper west has twice as many steps as the upper east, shattered before the start. Catering was packed but quick. Everything £5 so made easy with no change. The kiosk I went to had little food left but the beer was flowing well. Cider for me, yuk! The theme throughout seemed to be 'Buy three get two to your seat'. A limit was put on a maximum of 4 pints per person per sale but most people purchased three pints in plastic mugs and managed to spill a pints worth. I would imagine the Amex stinks this morning with beer going everywhere. Players came out and the noise started. Initially I thought that I was in a SA area as the anthems started, maybe the Japan NA has no words. But then it was game on and I cant describe how LOUD it was, and more Japs than SA. And it just got LOUDER. I was sat next to a SA so had to ask for an explanation of the rules, but he was very friendly, except when I asked how many points a penalty was worth with minutes to go thus giving Japan a possible draw. Getting beer during the game was a novelty so I had to do it and all kiosks were open so very fast service. In the last few minutes the noise just went up to 12 (where 11 is off the scale) and physically hurt. The pitch didn't look too damaged and a dry Sunday should mean it stays in good condition. All Amex branding had gone and little Albion stuff was visible although it was nice to see Brighton & Hove around the pitch (why Hove though?). Leaving was easy as most stayed in the ground whilst I left a few minutes after the end. Lots of police including the helicopter, but again the guides pointed everyone in the correct direction. The A27 had police lining the road to stop people pulling over to pick up but the roads were empty. Let down by the return bus being 25 minutes late and couldn't take all the passengers, thanks Brighton Buses. Overall, glad I went and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Proud that the Amex is ours and that she handled everything very well. The people I spoke to had no complaints. Guy next to me was singing the FatBoy Slim half time song and when I pointed out Normans seat he went mental.
Does this mean we will get a match in any future football world cup or a Euro Champs held in England, yes and I think we will.

 

[Diego Napier]

All the glowing reports of service/atmosphere only highlight how poor its been for football at the amex,but you can't say this can you

But you do, ad nauseam.

 

[LamieRobertson]

I passed up on a ticket because I thought it would be a one-sided affair.

Still, South Africa gave it a go.

I wouldn't want to play them now though. Wounded animals.

Ye me to i just didnt think SA would get so close

 

[Eeyore]

It'll be interesting to see if Barber et al put us forward in the Euro 2028 bidding. I think they should.