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Withdean
- Thread starter pasty
- Start date
SUIYHP
The King's Gull
Im sure everyone can remember some good moments at Withdean, but Im glad to see us gone from the place, sorry, no rose tinted glasses here, the place was a dive and all of you know it.
Seems weird though after all that's happened since we've been at the Amex, you forget what this club once was, those relegation battles in league 1, those moments when we were promoted (or winning playoffs) to get into the Championship, it truly was a special era, very few teams can share an experience quite like ours, and for what it's worth, it's made us a stronger team in the long run. Even if we don't get to Wembley today, considering all we've been through, this is easy. We're proof of what passion and loyalty can achieve for a club when everything else runs out. If it weren't for those 7-8,00 or so fans who sat in the freezing rain every week, we wouldn't have been here today.
Seems weird though after all that's happened since we've been at the Amex, you forget what this club once was, those relegation battles in league 1, those moments when we were promoted (or winning playoffs) to get into the Championship, it truly was a special era, very few teams can share an experience quite like ours, and for what it's worth, it's made us a stronger team in the long run. Even if we don't get to Wembley today, considering all we've been through, this is easy. We're proof of what passion and loyalty can achieve for a club when everything else runs out. If it weren't for those 7-8,00 or so fans who sat in the freezing rain every week, we wouldn't have been here today.
Return of the Rev
Well-known member
Old Varndeanians now play there and have just won southern counties division 2! The silverware keeps coming!
Attachments
Nor do I.
Cian
Well-known member
Seemed like such a difference from having to deal with planning objections and stunts from other elderly residents in the area.
That last match summed up what the rare good weather games could be like - including actually losing as was so regular!
atfc village
Well-known member
Always enjoyed all 11 visits to The Withdean ,but i always had good weather .
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
I sat in said seats on Saturday vs. Wealdstone. It felt a little bit odd.
That's what it was like on my first visit in the 50s. My parents thought I'd enjoy the zoo, but what I really liked was the pedal cars you could drive around a small road layout. One of my abiding memories.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
During the last war, Withdean was used as a prisoner of war camp, housing mainly captured Italian soldiers.
Not a lot of people know that.
Not a lot of people know that.
glasfryn
cleaning up cat sick
I can remember booking there when it was a zoo
melias shoes
Well-known member
- Oct 14, 2010
- 4,830
Spot on.
Cadiz Seagull
Grey bearded old man
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
I may be making this up but wasn't it used as a tennis centre for the Olympics back in the early 20th century? Or maybe Davis Cup tennis?
I get what you mean.
I went to a game at Adams Park couple of weeks ago, Brighton were not playing so I went to watch Wycombe v Accrington. That had a the similar feel to going to Withdean, Small stadium, genuine fans, league two football, trees all around it, even a couple of ex Brighton players. Enjoyed it. So if you a looking for a Withdean style fix and Brighton are not playing, it is only 35 mins from Reading. Obviously it not the same being a neutral, it's more relaxing
Saying all that I am really looking forward to Friday, taking my seat in WSU, meeting up with my friends, singing sussex by the sea, and seeing our boys put in a massive effort against Manchester United.
Monkey Man
Your support is not that great
I'm one of those annoying people who constantly droned on about "not being that bothered about the Premier League" and happy to think of the Championship as the pinnacle of Brighton's ambitions. But now we're there I dread the idea of relegation.
However, I do think there's a lot to be said for small grounds, and small, passionate crowds. Non-league football ticks that box for me and I would happily go and watch Lewes, Eastbourne Borough or other local sides if for some reason I couldn't get to Brighton games any more. Maybe even Crawley, if I was a bit closer. It's a different football experience – in some ways better, in many ways worse – but something all fans should experience from time to time.
However, I do think there's a lot to be said for small grounds, and small, passionate crowds. Non-league football ticks that box for me and I would happily go and watch Lewes, Eastbourne Borough or other local sides if for some reason I couldn't get to Brighton games any more. Maybe even Crawley, if I was a bit closer. It's a different football experience – in some ways better, in many ways worse – but something all fans should experience from time to time.
Paul Reids Sock
Well-known member
Good shout. i work over in Marlow so have been invited to a couple of Wycombe matches with colleagues. I am at the AMEX on Friday night so may take in their home game on Saturday i the wife will let me off the childcare for the day
Should be really good if you can. They just sealed their promotion back to league one in their last away game, so should have a party atmosphere.