Broadcaster Harry Gration MBE, who died suddenly earlier today at 71, was a true friend of the Albion who spoke up on the club’s behalf at a difficult time.
Many who had known him previously as a rugby league-loving Yorkshireman were surprised when he suddenly appeared as a co-presenter of BBC’s early-evening regional programme, South Today.
His spell alongside Sally Taylor in the BBC’s Southampton studios between 1995 and 1999 coincided with the darkest days in the Albion’s history. But he developed what he frequently admitted on air was ‘a soft spot’ for the struggling Seagulls as they fought to overcome the loss of the Goldstone Ground, the threat of relegation from the Football League, and two years’ exile at Gillingham.
He was a supportive and sympathetic voice at a regional broadcaster that had previously seemed much more concerned – perhaps understandably – with events at Southampton and Portsmouth than in East Sussex.
But as the good journalist that he was, he made the effort to find out what was really going on rather than taking the bland assertions from the club’s chief executive, David Bellotti, at face value. Such was his in-depth knowledge that he managed to name-check John Baine aka Attila the Stockbroker, later the Withdean PA announcer, in his report on the 1-0 victory over Doncaster in the last match at the Goldstone.
He was also at Hereford on that dramatic Saturday in 1997, reporting live from the Edgar Street pitch not long after the final whistle signalled Albion’s survival in the League, interviewing new chairman Dick Knight and signing off with ”Brighton have survived – great news!”
Even after returning to his more natural habitat in the north, he continued to do what he could to further the Albion’s cause, writing letters of support to fellow Yorkshireman and deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in support of the bid for the new stadium at Falmer.
Born in Bradford in 1950, he seemed set for a career as a history teacher, but when given a chance to commentate on rugby league for the BBC, it was clear he had found his true calling.
He later presented Look North from Leeds in two spells, eventually spending over 40 years with the BBC that included presenting and commentating on everything from the Olympic Games to Match of the Day.
Harry was a complete professional but, more importantly, one of the most genuine and likeable of men. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.