[Albion] We’re All Going On A European Tour!

[el punal]

With fingers crossed, legs crossed and buttocks clenched and a prevailing wind - maybe. So being super optimistic about getting a slot for Europe I thought about doing a bit of research. I have always promised myself that if our beloved Brighton ever made it to a European competition I would go to our first away fixture. There in lies a possible problem - and a test for the most loyal supporter’s resolve.

The worst case scenario for our first ever visit (apart from going to Total Network Solutions in Wales!) would be a trip to Astana in deepest, darkest Kazakhstan. Depending on which airline you choose, which date and time, and which route, you could end up with an expensive logistical nightmare. A couple of examples for you to ponder on :

Lufthansa. Depart Heathrow 07.30 - Arrive Astana 23.55 for round trip costing £334. Don’t know how/when you get back.

Turkish Airlines. Depart Gatwick 12.35 - Arrive Astana 03.25 (with a layover overnight in Istanbul) making the journey time 32 hours! Round trip costing £502.

As you can see, not the easiest gig to get to, but if Southern did Europe

If it all pans out though a lovely trip to Barcelona or Madrid would be ideal doncha think?

 

[Albion Robster]

Knowing Albion, we'll probably get drawn against Aberdeen and then go out over two legs.

 

[Falmer Flutter ©]

Worst case? Astana on a Thursday night is the stuff of dreams! Would bloody love that. Sure the club would do a travel package as well.

 

[Official Old Man]

I wasn't going to say anything, but my passport runs out this summer and I've quickly renewed it, just in case!
Having a chat with my wife, who hates football and would never come to the Amex. She actually showed an interest and I couldn't work out why until she slipped in the words 'and where would we go if Brighton got into Europe?'

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Wrong thread, but let’s do it anyway, altogether now:

Spurs are on their way to Wembley
Tottenham's going to do it again
They can't stop 'em
The boys from Tottenham
The boys from White Hart Lane
Spurs are on their way to Wembley
The Kings are claiming their crown
Everybody will be singing, When the Spurs go marching home

 

[Springal]

As someone who has travelled internationally for football for a long time now, it’ll be fascinating on this forum if we get to Europe.

- how many would we take away to far flung European destinations on a Thursday.

- the blow up for the additional games midweek and how the club price it / handled with season tickets.

- the interesting travel plans people put together to save £20 by taking multiple flights

 

[Stat Brother]

Astana away is the dream, not the nightmare.

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

Personally I’m holding back, I’d be happier if they resurrected the Intertoto cup

 

[Brovion]

It doesn't matter where though does it? IF we eventually realise our European dream and our first game is away against a team I've never heard of who are based in an inaccessible region of Outer Mongolia - I don't care I would like to go, and I can't be the only one.

(My only concern is that European football may prove to be a poisoned chalice as it has for so many mid-ranking clubs before us, and that our first Euro campaign will co-incide with a drop in our PL form - but I appreciate I am getting WAY ahead of myself there).


NOTE: I'm aware that Outer Mongolia isn't technically in Europe, but then Australia enter the Eurovision Song Contest so anything's possible.

 

[Perry's Tracksuit Bottoms]

It doesn't matter where though does it? IF we eventually realise our European dream and our first game is away against a team I've never heard of who are based in an inaccessible region of Outer Mongolia - I don't care I would like to go, and I can't be the only one.

(My only concern is that European football may prove to be a poisoned chalice as it has for so many mid-ranking clubs before us, and that our first Euro campaign will co-incide with a drop in our PL form - but I appreciate I am getting WAY ahead of myself there).


NOTE: I'm aware that Outer Mongolia isn't technically in Europe, but then Australia enter the Eurovision Song Contest so anything's possible.

Mongolia is only about 30km from Kazakhstan so you're not far off.

 

[hart's shirt]

The worst case scenario for our first ever visit (apart from going to Total Network Solutions in Wales!) would be a trip to Astana in deepest, darkest Kazakhstan.

One of the Seagulls over Dubai is married to a Kazakh lady.

Would you like me to make a provisional accommodation booking for 5,000 now or should I leave it a bit?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

One of the Seagulls over Dubai is married to a Kazakh lady.

Would you like me to make a provisional accommodation booking for 5,000 now or should I leave it a bit?

I think I might know him. Is his name Stan?

 

[hart's shirt]

I think I might know him. Is his name Stan?

Believe it or not, that's what he named his youngest boy.

Never let it be said that football fans don't have a sense of humour.

 

[Gabbafella]

Don't care who we're playing, I'll try my hardest to be there.

 

[worthingseagull123]

Personally I’m holding back, I’d be happier if they resurrected the Intertoto cup

I think it is a great cup.

Open it up to all pro clubs to be played in Summer (means competitive football for all that want it rather than pointless friendlies). Have a dozen odd spots available in Europa Conference to winners. Give the lower league chance of a bit of adventure and a chance to play competitive European football. What is there not to like.

 

[BNthree]

If (and a big IF) we qualified for Europe the demand for tickets would be huge. Imagine the binfest!

 

[Beanstalk]

I was just looking at Leicester's run in the Europa and Conference League last season and dreaming of some of those games...

Europa Group Stage - Napoli, Legia Warsaw, Spartak Moscow (obviously not going to be an option going forward)
Conference League - Randers, Rennes, PSV Eindhoven, Roma

That's 2 of the most historic clubs and cities in Italy plus Denmark, Poland, Russia, France and the Netherlands all in one season. What a dream.

 

[Wozza]

If (and a big IF) we qualified for Europe the demand for tickets would be huge. Imagine the binfest!

*Pulls out Albion @ Gillingham ticket stubs*

 

[dazzer6666]

If (and a big IF) we qualified for Europe the demand for tickets would be huge. Imagine the binfest!

Indeed. I wonder how the pubs of Livingstone are going to cope (capacity 9,500, min away allocation 475)

 

[AmexRuislip]

I think I might know him. Is his name Stan?

Probably N. Orth St And