New Albion shirts fly off rack at club shop

The tills were ringing on Sunday with shop staff surpassing their previous match day record by a massive 40 per cent.

It comes as the club prepares for its first Premier League game against Manchester City on Saturday.

Club merchandise bosses said they have nearly sold out of some sizes from the first batch of home shirts.

Brighton and Hove Albion retail manager Claire Britton said: “We have been so busy at with fans keen to get their hands on the new home and away kits before the start of the club’s first season in the Premier League.

“We had record sales in the shop on Sunday, at the Atletico Madrid game, surpassing our previous best by a massive 40 per cent - and there is a real buzz around the city, ahead of our game against Manchester City on Saturday.”

But there is no need for panic as there is still good availability for away shirts which were worn for first time against the Spanish side at the Amex.

In July the 2017/18 Nike alternative kit was unveiled at a launch in Sydney, Australia.

The gold strip will set you back £48, the same price of the home kit.

On Saturday The Argus told the story of a dedicated six-year-old Albion fan who saved his pocket money for more than a year to buy his new kit.

Elliott Ayling, from Hove, said his favourite players are Anthony Knockaert and Beram Kayal and now rarely takes the kit off.

The Seagulls will play in the Premier League for the first time at the weekend with Albion mania gripping the city.

But long-time supporter Les Parnum, 70, from Ditchling, who has was supported the Albion since 1954, was more cool-headed.

He said: “We have been there before when we went to the first division in 1979, and we were cockahoop.

“But when we got to the Goldstone Arsenal thrashed us four nil in the first game of the season.

“But I think we will have a good season and will upset some of the bigger clubs.”

To buy your Albion shirt visit the club shop or go to seagullsdirect.co.uk.