Withdean Generation

[its-a-seagull]

For most of you, tomorrow will be the long-awaited return of the Albion to a ground that we can truly call our own. However, for those of us in the 'Withdean Generation' it will be the first time that we have ever known such a wonderful feeling.

My Dad took me to my first Albion game at the Goldstone as a naive four year old. Regrettably I decided to waste the afternoon by running around the back of the stand. Four years later I was taking my seat in the South Stand of a shabby, tree-lined, rented athletics track. Ten seasons, two relegations, four promotions and one Bobby Zamora later I am 18 and tomorrow I will be settling in to my (padded) seat in the West Stand Upper of a shiny, full and beautiful football arena.

How lucky I am.

But remember, I am one of the minority from this generation that managed to fall in love with the Albion during those long Withdean years. Unfortunately far too many potential Brighton fans will have fallen by the wayside. Tomorrow sees the day that this trend will change. How can any young kids from Sussex not support the Albion in the future? It would be ludicrous!

I for one CANNOT WAIT for tomorrow.

Thank you all from the generation previously that has made this day come!

 

[Fred Oliver - Legend]

Good words.

 

[Smithy]

That is a quality first post.

 

[mrbigshot]

Well said. You saved your post for fantastic times and it's bloody good post too

 

[Seaber]

Speaking as one of the Withdean generation myself, many nails have been hit on the head, well said

 

[Buzzer]

That is a quality first post.

I hope you agree with me Smithy but I think the Family Stand at Withdean had the best atmosphere a lot of the time.

As an addendum to the comment about youngsters not supporting the Albion - when my youngest (now 9) started school there was him and one other lad in his class who were Brighton fans. Along came Albion in the Community and first Tommy Elphick (who went to my son's school) and then Dicker used to go regularly to meet the children, the club have given away loads of free tickets and now most of the class are in Gully's Gang and about half the class of 30 are Brighton fans to a greater or lesser degree. I'd say 6 or 7 are absolute die-hard whereas the other 7 or 8 have Brighton as their second team.

All that in the space of 5 years. The club are doing this right across Sussex and if we do well in the championship and sustain the success then the lost generations will come back.

 

[Uwinsc]

I'm in the same boat as you, I don't come from a brighton supporting family but my dad decided he wanted to go to a game the first season we were playing at Withdean (2000?) and took all the family with him. I have never been to another stadium (although I have been back to Withdean many times since) and am incrediably excited about tomorrow.

 

[Smithy]

I hope you agree with me Smithy but I think the Family Stand at Withdean had the best atmosphere a lot of the time.

As an addendum to the comment about youngsters not supporting the Albion - when my youngest (now 9) started school there was him and one other lad in his class who were Brighton fans. Along came Albion in the Community and first Tommy Elphick (who went to my son's school) and then Dicker used to go regularly to meet the children, the club have given away loads of free tickets and now most of the class are in Gully's Gang and about half the class of 30 are Brighton fans to a greater or lesser degree. I'd say 6 or 7 are absolute die-hard whereas the other 7 or 8 have Brighton as their second team.

All that in the space of 5 years. The club are doing this right across Sussex and if we do well in the championship and sustain the success then the lost generations will come back.

Absolutely. Over 10,000 members in Gullys Gang I believe!

 

[BUTTERBALL]

That is a quality first post.

 

[Lewes' best seagull]

"Why do you support shitty Brighton?"

"Which REAL team do you support?"

"What's the point in supporting Brighton?"

TOMORROW is our revenge. Those Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal 'fans' can go f*** themselves, we're the real football fans, this is the real football.


One of the Withdean Generation

 

[1066gull]

Ive been to f*** all games since we have been 'so good' lately but I did go to loads during the middle of the noughties. Cant wait to see it when I got time but football is not a priority in my life at the moment

 

[Seagull Steve]

Well all I can say to the Withdean generation is................

WELCOME HOME


Boy does that sound good.

 

[its-a-seagull]

Well all I can say to the Withdean generation is................

WELCOME HOME


Boy does that sound good.

Thank you! Let's hope for a true HOME win.

 

[BrickTamland]

I was old enough to go to the goldstone but never went. My first game was when I was 3 or 4 at gillingham against Rotheram, and have been a s/t at with dean for the last 10 years, and tomorrow is my first ever "real" home game. Certainly seems weird saying that after supporting the club for 12 or 13 years. Cannot wait for tomorrow. We are back

 

[Shoreham Beach Seagull]

For most of you, tomorrow will be the long-awaited return of the Albion to a ground that we can truly call our own. However, for those of us in the 'Withdean Generation' it will be the first time that we have ever known such a wonderful feeling.

My Dad took me to my first Albion game at the Goldstone as a naive four year old. Regrettably I decided to waste the afternoon by running around the back of the stand. Four years later I was taking my seat in the South Stand of a shabby, tree-lined, rented athletics track. Ten seasons, two relegations, four promotions and one Bobby Zamora later I am 18 and tomorrow I will be settling in to my (padded) seat in the West Stand Upper of a shiny, full and beautiful football arena.

How lucky I am.

But remember, I am one of the minority from this generation that managed to fall in love with the Albion during those long Withdean years. Unfortunately far too many potential Brighton fans will have fallen by the wayside. Tomorrow sees the day that this trend will change. How can any young kids from Sussex not support the Albion in the future? It would be ludicrous!

I for one CANNOT WAIT for tomorrow.

Thank you all from the generation previously that has made this day come!

You share the exact same supporting years (I didn't go to The Goldstone though) I've had a season ticket for 10 years at Withdean, but for the first time tomorrow will really feel like we have a home. Wetting myself in excitment now that I've finished making the pies

 

[brightn'ove]

"Why do you support shitty Brighton?"

"Which REAL team do you support?"

"What's the point in supporting Brighton?"

TOMORROW is our revenge. Those Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal 'fans' can go f*** themselves, we're the real football fans, this is the real football.


One of the Withdean Generation

this 1000x

"what football team to you support?"
"Brighton"
"no what proper club"
"f*** OFF"

 

[bennibenj]

Brilliant post OP, fantastic words and Welcome to the board

 

[StillHateBellotti]

Thats why my 12 year old is coming and all the Man U shite she collected on holiday in Cyprus went in the bin last night! How dare she? Im the opposite, dipped out for sitting in the tree lined Withdean, could not afford it at the time, could not get on the season ticket list, did away games when able too. Was well involved in the demonstrations during the Goldstone years. Just glad tomorrow is almost here! Brighton is in my blood and always will be........................................ Time to bring through a new generation.

 

[Phat Baz 68]

Why are you wearing a Man U, Liverpool, Spurs shirts walking round Sussex ?

Well my dad comes from Manchester ! My mum comes from Liverpool ! My Great Uncle Silas comes from Tottenham !

MY ADVICE.......f*** OFF THERE, LIVE THERE, AND WEAR YA SHIT STAINED SHIRTS THERE !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Shooting Star]

"Why do you support shitty Brighton?"

"Which REAL team do you support?"

"What's the point in supporting Brighton?"

TOMORROW is our revenge. Those Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal 'fans' can go f*** themselves, we're the real football fans, this is the real football.


One of the Withdean Generation

This. One of my old Arsenal friends from primary school recently found me on Facebook, and when I was celebrating our promotion a few months back, he commented on how he was amazed that I had remained a Brighton fan for all this time. I am so proud to support a team that means everything to me.
Am 19 but never went to the Goldstone. Dad took me to my first game when we were playing at Priestfield and then was a season ticket holder at Withdean for five years. I'd become fond of Withdean, but it was always temporary. Never experienced us having a home. But the wait is over...

WE ARE COMING HOME