This is it. Fifty Years of (mostly) pain !

[wolfie]

Hello All. Just thought I’d share this with you.
August 22 (next Saturday) marks my 50th Anniversary of suffering the Albion. I watched this game standing on a wooden crate beside a Brighton, Hove & District Bus Conductor * My Dad had driven the football special out to the Goldstone, but because he viewed football with distain (and supported Charlton Athletic in a lukewarm way) he sent me in with his conductor while having a nap in his cab alongside Hove Park. I remember next to nothing about the game except that the crowd was so enormous (and I was so small) that everything was blocked out to me.

Note the former Albion manager playing for Villa at left half, the size of the crowd and the famous international referee (of the time) I think he refereed the controversial World Cup game between Chile and Italy in 1962.

For the next couple of seasons I probably didn’t see any games, but after starting at the Grammar School I became a regular. Best season was undoubtedly 64-65 (Bobby Smith, Archie Macauley and 102 goals = Div 4 Championship) My personal highlights in 50 years were:-
1965 Darlington (h) 1967 Chelsea (cup) (h & a) 1971 Villa (h) & Rochdale (h) 1974 Charlton (a) – my biggest away win and only one under a Mr Clough, 1978 Blackpool(h) 1979 Arsenal(h), Wolves(a) and Man City(h) 1983(cup) Liverpool (a) Semi Final and both Finals.
Personal favourite ever player: Kit Napier (controversial ?)
Personal most influential ever player : Brian Horton
Personal best ever player: Peter Ward
Biggest name player ever signed: Bobby Smith
Favourite Managers: Alan Mullery and Steve Gritt
Biggest win : 10-1 v Wisbech Town, closely followed by 9-1 v Southend in same month
Worst defeat (surprisingly) 0-5 v Northampton (h) and v Palace(a)
Best ever game: 4-4 v Chester in 1965, 3-1 v Wolves(a) in 1979
Favourite away ground (for results) Molyneux (w 4 d 1 lost 0)
Most depressing experience (choice of many) Performance by team in my only game at Priestfield. Walsall(a) last season wasn’t far behind.
Feel free to discuss/ comment.

* For the younger readers amongst you (ie most of you), a bus conductor collected the fares before buses had doors, a left half was a kind of midfield player and players didn’t have numbers above 11. Subs didn’t exist. Also: Tamplin’s Ales were not very good (although I was an under age drinker then). I don’t know where Harveys were advertising then. Fourpence was a thruppny bit and one old penny (less than 2p now)

Finally, a word of warning. Whenever I go to an anniversary match (thirtieth, fortieth) we bloody well lose !

 

[wolfie]

Afraid the pics have come out a bit on the large side ! Sorry.

 

[Taybha]

anythings better than the Murray witch hunt atm and any brighton player with the name bertolini in a number 4 shirt deserves a mention

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

0 points from the first two league matches in the current 1959-60 season - Billy Lane OUT, I say!

Seriously, congratulations on reaching 50 years of supporting the Albion, Wolfie.

P.S. What were Fryco soft drinks like?

 

[BHAFC4EVER]

Congrats Wolfie.

 

[Bwian]

P.S. What were Fryco soft drinks like?

Good Lemonade if my memory isn't playing tricks. Made in Portslade wasn't it?

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

We'll done Wolfie - are you sure it's 50 years and not just the last 20 or so that feels like 50?

 

[Jahooli]

Congratulations and a huge thank you for sharing that.

Brilliant post.

31,828 !

 

[skipper734]

Eric Gill, my hero. Watney's Red Barrel.

 

[dougdeep]

64/65 was indeed a great season. Probably my favourite ever. Never known so many big home wins.

 

[The Oldman]

Such memories Wolfie. Were you a HCGS boy like me? My first matches were in 1953 but I do agree 64/65 was a great season. Alas I had to move away after that and until returning to Sussex in 1997 I missed a lot of games.

You are right too about Tamplins beer. Mind you watney's red barrel was no good either but somehow we all drank the stuff. I quite liked Fremlins brews although I think they were Kent based.

Your post shows again that managers, players, directors come and go but we the supporters are here for the long haul.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Nice work Wolfie

 

[wolfie]

Thanks for all the congrats. Hope I don't spoil it (by being at Withdean on Saturday - causing us to lose) ! To answer a few points: I don't really remember Fryco, went to BH&SGS and it seems more like 100 years ! And Watneys bleeding Red Barrel was awful.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Was that Pat Saward playing for Villa ?

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

He shot. He scored. It must be Pat Saward!

 

[wolfie]

He shot. He scored. It must be Pat Saward!

Certainly was - see my first post in this thread.

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

Kit napier was a class player, he scored at least 2 goals direct from corners and from opposite sides too so truly two footed. Somebody has him on their vavtar, an old pic.

Was the 3.15 KO a standard thing in those days?

Well done on such long service, Wolfie.

 

[1234andcounting]

Always pleased to know that there is someone who has been going longer than me. Like FG, surprised at the 3.15 ko, when did they stop, because they certainly had by '67. But congrats on following them through 50 years. The great thing about following the Albion is that it is never dull...

 

[ewe2]

Fantastic !wolfie ......Bobby Smith........now he could score ! despite everything......

 

[csider]

Eric Gill, my hero. Watney's Red Barrel.

Used to work with his son.