Not a supporter of another club but came to the Albion late. My dad is from Middlesex and not into football at all. My mum is from Yorkshire and I was born in the NE, then family moved around a bit for my dad's work and settled finally in south London for my senior school years. (Saying all this to point out I was a bit rootless when it came to claiming allegiance to a certain area.) Then moved to Brighton in early 20s and been here ever since. My kids were really keen on football and I'd never been that into it as had never had a team but started bringing them to Albion games and got myself hooked. I've basically gone native and fully support Albion and Sussex CCC and proudly get my Martlets flag out on Sussex Day.
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
[Albion] Who on here has switched allegiance from another League club to the Albion?
- Thread starter Icy Gull
- Start date
Kind of - born and brought up in Devon, me and my cousin followed Liverpool from primary school age (virtually everyone was either Man U or Liverpool at the time without anyone ever going anywhere near the North West, obviously). 'Following' continued pretty loosely in the intervening years until we moved to Sussex in the early 90s, started going to football when junior got interested at a very early age (2001-ish) and went to our first Albion game at the Withdean - can't even remember who it was against but it was crap and it pissed down. Occasional games became more regular, followed by season tickets and away games.
Pogue Mahone
Well-known member
- Apr 30, 2011
- 10,946
I was born and bred in Cambridge, and supported Cambridge United from their first league season in 1970. I watched them home and away from the late seventies, and off and on during the eighties when I had moved to London.
I moved to Brighton in 1992, and became quite regular at the Goldstone whilst still being a CUFC fan first and foremost.
The gory years sucked me in and my first son was born in 1997 - I was determined that he would grow up to support his local club, as I had. By then I had lost most of my community feeling for Cambridge and utterly fallen in love with Brighton, and many of my friends and colleagues supported the Albion.
I barely went to Gillingham, but when we returned to Withdean I went, often, with mates. I was still taking in Cambridge games at this point.
I took Pogue Junior (@Ovingdean seagull) to his first game in 2004 and this was when I began to accept that my allegiance had changed, I was Albion through and through (though still going, occasionally, to the Abbey and southern away games of CUFC due to unexplainable feelings of guilt).
My last Cambridge game was in November 2010, v Newport. Standing on the terraces I had a deep realisation that I no longer cared, and looking around I thought “these aren’t my people”.
Sharing the Albion with Pogue Junior, who was born one month before Hereford away (I remember being with him, thinking he may not have a club to support if this goes wrong) has been one of the joys of both of our lives.
I moved to Brighton in 1992, and became quite regular at the Goldstone whilst still being a CUFC fan first and foremost.
The gory years sucked me in and my first son was born in 1997 - I was determined that he would grow up to support his local club, as I had. By then I had lost most of my community feeling for Cambridge and utterly fallen in love with Brighton, and many of my friends and colleagues supported the Albion.
I barely went to Gillingham, but when we returned to Withdean I went, often, with mates. I was still taking in Cambridge games at this point.
I took Pogue Junior (@Ovingdean seagull) to his first game in 2004 and this was when I began to accept that my allegiance had changed, I was Albion through and through (though still going, occasionally, to the Abbey and southern away games of CUFC due to unexplainable feelings of guilt).
My last Cambridge game was in November 2010, v Newport. Standing on the terraces I had a deep realisation that I no longer cared, and looking around I thought “these aren’t my people”.
Sharing the Albion with Pogue Junior, who was born one month before Hereford away (I remember being with him, thinking he may not have a club to support if this goes wrong) has been one of the joys of both of our lives.
Robinjakarta
Well-known member
Was there too. That was the match that had all around me resigned to only going to be having one season in the First Division so outclassed were we. We underestimated our manager and team.
Not exactly switched....my first match was Brighton versus Barrow in 69 when I was ten and I have always followed the Albion. But when I started at the grammar school in 69, all of us followed a division 1 side. All of us. We all had our little plastic football club bags that we carried our homework in. Nobody had a Brighton bag. Probably because a little division 3 club didn't have such a thing.
So.....age 11 to 14 I was a Leeds fan. Saw them play at Stamford Bridge and the Dell (and later when I was at uni, and no longer supported them, I watched them play at Shitehole park one drunken Saturday with someone whose brother I know is a Brighton supporter and used to post on the 'Mailing List'). I still have a scrap book full of pictures of Sprake Reaney Cooper Hunter Madely Lorimer Clark Giles Bremner Jones and Charlton, but I can't even remember the names of the players any more.
I went to the Goldstone whenever I could as a teen (I worked Saturday afternoons so it was mostly the 7.30 KOs as there were most of the time) but didn't properly start supporting Brighton, feeling it, obsessing about it, till the Taylor year, when the crowds at the Goldstone were more than the 11,000-14,000 it used to be under McCauley, Goodwin, Saward....
But I didn't become a noisy obsessive, travelling to more than 10 away games a season till I was 40, and had the time and money to do what I wanted. That was 25 years ago, when it all got seriously messy, as most of us will recall.
Leeds mean nothing to me now, and my childhood obsession is now tainted by the knowledge that Revie was a cheating god-bothering weirdo, and I have no lingering nostalgia. To me, now, Leeds are simply The Dirty.
My little brother, however, remains an obsessive Leeds fan and won't sit with me when we play Leeds at the Amex. And the other brother is Chelsea
. My son is Brighton through and through, even though he has never lived in Sussex. I've been taking him to Brighton games since he was 4.
Such is the situation with what is essentially a middle class town that has had, till recently, a third division football club.
So.....age 11 to 14 I was a Leeds fan. Saw them play at Stamford Bridge and the Dell (and later when I was at uni, and no longer supported them, I watched them play at Shitehole park one drunken Saturday with someone whose brother I know is a Brighton supporter and used to post on the 'Mailing List'). I still have a scrap book full of pictures of Sprake Reaney Cooper Hunter Madely Lorimer Clark Giles Bremner Jones and Charlton, but I can't even remember the names of the players any more.
I went to the Goldstone whenever I could as a teen (I worked Saturday afternoons so it was mostly the 7.30 KOs as there were most of the time) but didn't properly start supporting Brighton, feeling it, obsessing about it, till the Taylor year, when the crowds at the Goldstone were more than the 11,000-14,000 it used to be under McCauley, Goodwin, Saward....
But I didn't become a noisy obsessive, travelling to more than 10 away games a season till I was 40, and had the time and money to do what I wanted. That was 25 years ago, when it all got seriously messy, as most of us will recall.
Leeds mean nothing to me now, and my childhood obsession is now tainted by the knowledge that Revie was a cheating god-bothering weirdo, and I have no lingering nostalgia. To me, now, Leeds are simply The Dirty.
My little brother, however, remains an obsessive Leeds fan and won't sit with me when we play Leeds at the Amex. And the other brother is Chelsea
. My son is Brighton through and through, even though he has never lived in Sussex. I've been taking him to Brighton games since he was 4.Such is the situation with what is essentially a middle class town that has had, till recently, a third division football club.
Silverhatch
Well-known member
Brighton born & bred. Old enough to remember MOTD in Black & White, and transfixed by the 1970 FA Cup Final replay and the 70 World Cup in colour. Primary school was all about playground, tennis ball, football and trying to be Peter Osgood. I’d been to the Goldstone with my dad a few times but ‘supporting’ the club only happened when I was old enough to go with my brother and his mates. Fortuitously that corresponded with Peter Taylor handing over to Alan Mullery and BANG. Hooked for life! However, nothing could have prepared me for what’s happening to the club now. Beyond my (but probably not Mike Bamber’s) wildest dreams.
Ludensian Gull
Well-known member
Not switched as such but living in Ipswich as a 10 year old it was difficult to make my way down to Sussex on my own. Watched Ipswich for many years whilst living there interspersed with holidays in Sussex with the Grandparents when I watched the Albion mid 70s . From 1979 0nwards myself and half a dozen others used to travel down every week on the train . So in essence always followed the Albion but watch Ipswich as well ,although always in away end when Brighton visited Portman Rd
Not ex-Palace...but... I lived in my maternal grandparents' fishing tackle shop (well, the house behind the shop for the pedants amongst us) in Whitehorse Road for 10 years - literally in easy walking distance of Selhurst. However, I never went to a game. I didn't get into football until I was in Sussex (aged 13), and the Albion were the first professional team I ever watched - and thus the only team I have ever supported.Spurs seem to have lost quite a few fans to the Albion
I wonder if anyone is going to out themselves as ex Palace
Nixonator
Well-known member
As did I. There were two sets of gentleman in seats nearby who followed Albion as a secondary. Neither are there anymore, replaced by younger lads over the years, which leads me to believe they have mostly been phased out around the ground. There is one chap who remains, but he seems to talk more about Albion these days rather than his (ex?)beloved Spurs.
Barham's tash
Well-known member
Not me as have been Albion through and through thanks to very early parental indoctrination but of my group of historical STH buddies (there were 10 us I count from) there were the following:
2 Spurs fans
1 Chelsea
1 Leeds
1 Arsenal/Newcastle/whoever was easy on the eye and winning*
And most of those are as die hard Albion as I know - STH at Goldstone, Gillingham, Withdean and Amex - so not JCLS…
I’m not claiming moral superiority over them but wondering at what age is it acceptable to realise the error of your ways and switch to the wider footballing fraternity?
For me anything over 13 and you’re in serious trouble of giving those clowns up the road way too much ammo for their generalisation of our supporter base.
2 Spurs fans
1 Chelsea
1 Leeds
1 Arsenal/Newcastle/whoever was easy on the eye and winning*
And most of those are as die hard Albion as I know - STH at Goldstone, Gillingham, Withdean and Amex - so not JCLS…
I’m not claiming moral superiority over them but wondering at what age is it acceptable to realise the error of your ways and switch to the wider footballing fraternity?
For me anything over 13 and you’re in serious trouble of giving those clowns up the road way too much ammo for their generalisation of our supporter base.
I'm just about to start the fatherhood gig again.
I failed miserably with my first three (my younger daughter kinda follows the Albion, just enough to let me know that she knows the results, and to attend a game with me two or three times a season; the other two have zero interest).
I'm determined to succeed with this imminent new daughter (temporarily named Steve).
1. She has to be into football. No ifs, no buts.
2. By age 9, she has to be a season ticket holder at either her local club (Watford) or the Albion.
3. If the Albion are playing (home or away) when Watford are, then I'm going to the Albion game. She'll be very welcome to join me . If she chooses to support Watford, she can either go alone or persuade her mother to take her.
4. If she comes with me to Albion games, she'll get sweets/chocolate, and pocket money. If she goes to Watford she will not. If she chooses not to support a club at all, I'll write her out of my will. And tell her.
I've had enough of my kids not being into football.
slartibartfast
Active member
I was born and bred Newcastle , first toon game at St James Park was in 1969, aged 6. We moved around a bit, but I didnt come to Brighton at all until I was 28, in 1991. Moved down here , a fully fledged Newcastle fan, but started going to see my new local club (because I love football) - a basket-case , struggling team, in a crumbling ground , who were plummeting down the league structure - as a neutral at first.
But started to really get passionate about the plight of the Albion in the mid 90s, in those last few seasons at the Goldstone.... I could nip round in 10 minutes from my house, pay on the gate, and watch proper league football, in Divs 3 and 4 (or 2 and 3 as they had now become post Premier League) - with absolutely NO clash or fear of conflict of interest with Newcastle. After all, Keegan's Newcastle were often top of the Premier league at this time, and Brighton were bumping along at the the foot of the football league without a pot to pee in. No danger of that ever becoming a conflict!!
SO, I was at the Goldstone through the furnace of the "Build a Bonfire " season, the storming recovery in the home games as we gradually reeled in Hereford, that 4-4 draw v Leyton Orient, the wins over Cardiff and Swansea, that nail biter v Barnet.... I stood outside the ground for Doncaster, with no ticket, taking my son to play in the kids park in Hove Park during the game, so that I could at least be "in the vicinity"...
No conflict of interest with Premier League Newcastle United , as I became a season ticket holder from day 1 at Withdean (6-0 v Mansfield), and have been passionate ever since.
And suddenly, after 20 years or so, the two clubs were neck and neck in the Championship in 2017, and I now find myself with (ahem) ... TWO Premier League clubs, quite accidentally. Not only that, but this season, I appear to have two top 7 clubs !
I cannot ditch the Toon,.... no matter what the ownership situation is, or how infrequently I get to see them now... when you go to your first game aged 6 , something stays.
But I also know that I am rabidly passionate about Brighton and Hove Albion , have been through the 1997 season, and seen us climb slowly and legitimately up through the leagues, bit by bit, and now sit watching the best ever Brighton team.
Its complicated , but ...It's a bit like having two kids. I just want them both to do well, and when they play each other, I really am totally conflicted.
But started to really get passionate about the plight of the Albion in the mid 90s, in those last few seasons at the Goldstone.... I could nip round in 10 minutes from my house, pay on the gate, and watch proper league football, in Divs 3 and 4 (or 2 and 3 as they had now become post Premier League) - with absolutely NO clash or fear of conflict of interest with Newcastle. After all, Keegan's Newcastle were often top of the Premier league at this time, and Brighton were bumping along at the the foot of the football league without a pot to pee in. No danger of that ever becoming a conflict!!
SO, I was at the Goldstone through the furnace of the "Build a Bonfire " season, the storming recovery in the home games as we gradually reeled in Hereford, that 4-4 draw v Leyton Orient, the wins over Cardiff and Swansea, that nail biter v Barnet.... I stood outside the ground for Doncaster, with no ticket, taking my son to play in the kids park in Hove Park during the game, so that I could at least be "in the vicinity"...
No conflict of interest with Premier League Newcastle United , as I became a season ticket holder from day 1 at Withdean (6-0 v Mansfield), and have been passionate ever since.
And suddenly, after 20 years or so, the two clubs were neck and neck in the Championship in 2017, and I now find myself with (ahem) ... TWO Premier League clubs, quite accidentally. Not only that, but this season, I appear to have two top 7 clubs !
I cannot ditch the Toon,.... no matter what the ownership situation is, or how infrequently I get to see them now... when you go to your first game aged 6 , something stays.
But I also know that I am rabidly passionate about Brighton and Hove Albion , have been through the 1997 season, and seen us climb slowly and legitimately up through the leagues, bit by bit, and now sit watching the best ever Brighton team.
Its complicated , but ...It's a bit like having two kids. I just want them both to do well, and when they play each other, I really am totally conflicted.
I was born in the Northwest and moved here in 1988 as an 11 year old. Prior to that I mostly watched Crewe Alexandra and even had a few games at their school trials (in the 'danger' years!). Me and my dad noticed Brighton were playing Crewe. Would have been 90 ish I suppose. In my head it was a friendly but may have been a league game. So got away tickets at the Goldstone. After that realised we could just go to the Goldstone whenever we wanted! Our first full season going together was 1991 and ended at Wembley at the hands of Tommy Fùcking Johnson or whatever his name is. I'd like to say that was a precursor of things to come but that's the best it got for a good while!
richoseagull
Member
Not so much switched, but followed Man United as well as a child due to a glory supporting older brother and the fact we grew up 2 hours from Brighton (can't stand them these days). My dad is Brighton born and raised so I always followed the scores in the 90's and early 2000's but cost, travel and my dad's work commitments meant we couldn't get to home games at Gillingham or the Withdean during my younger years, but did go to many away games around where I grew up (Watford, Wycombe, Oxford, Milton Keynes 
, as well as many midlands away days). Following a lower league team at the time from afar was more challenging then without the internet and having to wait till page 12 of teletext to see the latest scores!
When I then came to choosing Universities it was Brighton or nothing as all that mattered was being able to live in the city and watch my team week in week out, and then proceeded to have a Season ticket for the last 4 years at the Withdean and most of the years since. Starting a family has meant the last couple of years I've only been to 5 or 6 games a season, but the 2 year old already runs around the house shouting Seagulls, Lewis Dunk and Solly March amongst other players names so he's got no chance of supporting anyone else!
, as well as many midlands away days). Following a lower league team at the time from afar was more challenging then without the internet and having to wait till page 12 of teletext to see the latest scores!When I then came to choosing Universities it was Brighton or nothing as all that mattered was being able to live in the city and watch my team week in week out, and then proceeded to have a Season ticket for the last 4 years at the Withdean and most of the years since. Starting a family has meant the last couple of years I've only been to 5 or 6 games a season, but the 2 year old already runs around the house shouting Seagulls, Lewis Dunk and Solly March amongst other players names so he's got no chance of supporting anyone else!
slartibartfast
Active member
I'd also like to point out, for all the times Ive been called a "Glory Hunter" (or not a true fan)- I have supported two "local teams", for legitimate regional reasons, from two different periods of my life, due to circumstance. I have not picked either club "off the telly", and have so far experienced exactly ZERO major trophies following them. In a way, my attachment to both clubs is a proper organically grown one, and I defy anyone to deny that I am totally passionate about them when watching the games - those who know me at the Amex /WIthdean etc would vouch for that!
albionfan37
Well-known member
As a very young kid I think I went through half a dozen teams from Ipswich to Man U but never had a real affinity with them. We then moved to hove from Kent and I went to my first game on my own against wolves. I believe 91ish and I went again a couple of weeks later and that was me I was totally hooked on the albion
Taken to the Goldstone from the age of about 6, so was there on and off from 92-97.
Did Gillingham ONCE.
Brother went to Uni and I wasn't old enough/too far to go to games on my own - Missed pretty much all the Zamora glory years, double promotions etc.
Decided to start following a Prem team just to have someone to follow on Match of the Day as a lad.
Didn't want to be a glory hunter so chose whoever was midtable.
Chose ASTON VILLA.
Followed them for a few years.
Brother came back from Uni and I started going to games again around 2006-07, Dean Wilkins era. Became hooked due to the live experience.
Moment of truth was going up to Villa Park to see Brighton v Villa in the FA Cup in 2010 - that was the moment I knew for sure I was Albion for life.
Did Gillingham ONCE.
Brother went to Uni and I wasn't old enough/too far to go to games on my own - Missed pretty much all the Zamora glory years, double promotions etc.
Decided to start following a Prem team just to have someone to follow on Match of the Day as a lad.
Didn't want to be a glory hunter so chose whoever was midtable.
Chose ASTON VILLA.
Followed them for a few years.
Brother came back from Uni and I started going to games again around 2006-07, Dean Wilkins era. Became hooked due to the live experience.
Moment of truth was going up to Villa Park to see Brighton v Villa in the FA Cup in 2010 - that was the moment I knew for sure I was Albion for life.
I wouldn't say swapped allegiance but in the 80/90s, whilst in the Army, I was living in Germany, Horsham, Romford, Watford and Cheltenham, so found myself going into London to watch games, yes even Palace, going to Werder Bremen, Watford and Cheltenham and lost touch with The Albion. I'd still look out for the result but didn't feel any pull. When the club returned to Withdean I purchased a season ticket the first season, having left the forces, and have had one ever since, 23 years!
ChickenBaltiPie
Well-known member
- Jan 3, 2014
- 937
I was never a fan of football before becoming a fan of the Albion, as strange as that might sound… my father was a HUGE fan and would occasionally take me to the Goldstone, Gillingham, Withdean and I was even privileged enough to hang out with all the players at every game, and felt nothing haha.
Fast forward to adulthood and I found myself visiting the AMEX for work with clients and just got the bug. Started inviting clients to every game haha and as and when the Corp opportunities started to become harder and harder to obtain, as the club became more and more successful, I would buy the odd one in the stands (when I couldn’t do hospitality) and fell IN LOVE(!) I didn’t have to wear a shirt and jacket and could relax and revel in the atmosphere and get excited, and BOOM! Season ticket!
Now I actively avoid having to take customers haha, so I can sit in MY SEAT!
I still don’t consider myself a football fan. I’m a fan of the Albion, and any interest I show in football is with the Albion in mind only. Always!
Fast forward to adulthood and I found myself visiting the AMEX for work with clients and just got the bug. Started inviting clients to every game haha and as and when the Corp opportunities started to become harder and harder to obtain, as the club became more and more successful, I would buy the odd one in the stands (when I couldn’t do hospitality) and fell IN LOVE(!) I didn’t have to wear a shirt and jacket and could relax and revel in the atmosphere and get excited, and BOOM! Season ticket!
Now I actively avoid having to take customers haha, so I can sit in MY SEAT!
I still don’t consider myself a football fan. I’m a fan of the Albion, and any interest I show in football is with the Albion in mind only. Always!
Last edited: