What was your first Albion game and what do you remember about it?
Brighton v Shrewsbury, February 1969 and Albion won 3-0. Hooked forever after that. Didn’t miss a home game for years after that, even when I was supposed to be in school on Saturdays! In fact, my attendance at the “Wardy” game at Hereford in 1976 where he scored his first goal for the club after 50 seconds almost got me suspended!
Who was your first Albion hero?
Ken Beamish. Always loved No.8s. I had a Teddy Bear (yes, even at age 11) which I painted in blue and white stripes with a number 8 on his back with the words, “Hello, I’m Ken!”
What is your favourite Albion game?
Really tough one. The Hereford survival game stands out because I was listening to it down a very expensive phone line from California. But Liverpool away during the 1983 Cup run is probably the one that I would choose, because of the sheer improbability of the result. They were the best team in Europe by a mile at the time and hadn’t been beaten at home for what seemed like 100 years! I’ll never forget the reaction when Jimmy Case scored the winner and at the final whistle. Nuts!
The most unusual venue where I saw the team was in San Diego in June 1979. Me and three friends had literally driven across America from New York, with the express intention of getting to San Diego (we had about a week to do it) to watch the Albion on their post season tour.
There were about 5,000 fans in a stadium that could hold about 70,000 and there we were hunched in a small corner singing ‘Alan Mullery’s Blue and White army!’ Not sure what Mullers felt as he walked past us having been ‘sent off’ for walking on the field and pushing a player who fouled Peter ‘Leo’ Sayer. Final score was 2-2.
We ended up at a bar afterwards with the team and the late, great John Vinicombe talking about the beauty of American stadia and discussing American beer with Alan Mullery’s assistant, Ken Craggs. Truly surreal. And with a touch ironic as, 15 years later, I ended up emigrating to the US and lived in… San Diego!
Which season stands out as your favourite?
Has to be 78/79. The first time we got promoted to the top-flight. Saw pretty much every game home and away. The Seagull line, the Seagull Specials, and that magical day (and night!!) at Newcastle. Never to be forgotten.
What have been your favourite home and away shirts?
The 78/79 blue and white stripes with the all yellow away kit.
All-time favourite Albion XI?
Ryan; Bruno, Foster, Lawrenson, Catlin; Vicente, Horton, O’Sullivan; Ward, Zamora, Nelson