What was Brighton like in 1984?

[getreal1]

Comet was like going to a clearance warehouse, I think the shop floor was up loads of stairs.

Many thanks to Large for the photograph and to you for the further recollection. I remember being in there amongst a mass of white goods, displayed with loads of cardboard and plastic around, no carpeting on the floor. Quite a different experience than that available at say Rayford Electrics in Sydney Street.

 

[s5.bha]

Yeah I think it was 1982, I went as well

And me........

 

[getreal1]

Brilliant, thanks.

 

[The Modfather]

Mmmm, I'm doubting myself now, it was about 30yrs ago but I'm sure it was Pompey, maybe someone else can help us out?

Remember it kicking off down West Street with Pompey one Sunday afternoon, possibly around '84. We had not played them the day before, they just turned up mob handed for a ruck so it may be the same one that you are thinking of.

 

[BN9 BHA]

I read somewhere that Brighton developed a casual scene around this time - perhaps a few years earlier - mainly because the town had quite a few locals who supported London teams, Manchester United, Liverpool etc, and they adopted the look which was then copied by local Albion fans.

Any truth in this?

The casual scene was already in full swing in 1984.
Personally I think it started in Brighton in 1980-81, my school class photo 1981 some of us are wearing Lyle & Scott and Pringle jumpers. This was just the start of the casual scene before Fila, Taccini and Ellesse sportswear appeared.

1984 saw loads of lads and lasses wearing casual gear and not just football fans.

 

[scousefan]

One pf my happiest years. I got to a lot of football (even though wed just been relegated) and worked as a scoreboard operator at the county cricket ground. Brighton was less smart than now. Hove could be very stuck up.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Mmmm, I'm doubting myself now, it was about 30yrs ago but I'm sure it was Pompey, maybe someone else can help us out?

I heard Some Pompey lads did turn up and cause trouble, don't know any exact facts.

 

[Norman Potting]

Has anyone mentioned the "Hungry Years" yet??

 

[Dover]

Many thanks TLO. From The Regency Society, I have found quite a bit about the Hanover and Queens Park areas.

 

[origigull]

Thats interesting i always thought that was Saints fans , i was in a empty ish sherrys on a thursday night during closed season unless it was a different occasion it kicked off with a load of Southampton inside , police were caught completley unaware and by the time they showed there were quite a few bloody noses ect, we left sherrys and id say within a hour or so there was a sizeable mob of Brighton roaming around looking for the Southampton , what happend after that im not sure as it was free entry in Snoopys before 11pm .

I seem to remember something like this in the early 1970s when a couple of coaches of Saints lads turned up and smashed up the Top Rank one night. It seems that a couple of coaches from Brighton doing the same in Southampton a few months later I was told, just to even things up.

 

[smeg]

I seem to recall that BHS in Churchill Square had a restaurant where we'd eat lunch when Mum was on a shopping trip in Brighton... but mostly I recall clambering over that awful sculpture outside!!

Biggest difference between Brighton of '84 and now though is the number of cars!

Miss Selfridge had a coffee shop downstairs I think? It near WH Smith

 

[Insel affe]

The Long Tall Texans busking in Churchill Sq 80s

 

[Return of the Rev]

Has anyone mentioned the "Hungry Years" yet??

First ventured in the hungry years around 1974:guitar:

 

[s5.bha]

The Long Tall Texans busking in Churchill Sq 80s

Blimey , Andy Standen in the Clash tshirt and the top of my head just below him !!!
God I feel old........

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

The Sea Life Centre was called the Dolphinarium on account of having a pool with three dolphins in it. The pool was murky and cramped and the dolphins did tricks for kids birthday parties, like pulling the birthday boy or girl round the pool in a little boat. Some kids were known to have up to half a dozen birthdays a year...

Following a campaign in the late eighties/early nineties the dolphins were transported to I think the Caribbean and released into the wild.

 

[Willow]

1984, I was sporting a pair of these;



And 9pm weekdays I was tuned into Timbo on Southern Sound.

 

[Insel affe]

Blimey , Andy Standen in the Clash tshirt and the top of my head just below him !!!
God I feel old........

Nice flat top, Mark Carew worked at Virgin did he not.

 

[s5.bha]

Nice flat top, Mark Carew worked at Virgin did he not.

Thanks , he worked at Virgin western rd but feel it was a few years later as Im sure it wasn't open in 84.

 

[Insel affe]

Thanks , he worked at Virgin western rd but feel it was a few years later as Im sure it wasn't open in 84.

I think Theo still has that jacket !! He is a season ticket holder at the Albion still

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Some big films that year...

Terminator
This Is Spinal Tap
Ghostbuster
A Nightmare on Elm Street
The Killing Fields
Beverly Hills Cop

And that Bank Holiday on ITV regular, Romancing The Stone.