Stefan Gross struggled to see his son play at times in Germany.
That was because he was busy with his own coaching and management role elsewhere.
Things have changed a bit since then.
Which is why Albion playmaker Pascal Gross will be well supported at the Amex when Everton visit.
And well advised too, should he require, when the time comes after the game to mull over what has gone on.
The fact Gross has a famous footballing father is well documented.
Ironically, though, Dad gets to see his son in action these days as much as he ever has during his professional career, even though he has moved abroad.
And he is relishing the chance to broaden his footballing horizons.
Stefan Gross played in the Bundesliga for Karlsruher back in the 1980s.
He made 113 top-flight appearances, making his debut in a 3-0 defeat to a Bayern Munich side who goals were scored by a pair of true German legends â Paul Breitner, with two, and Karl Heinz-Rummenigge.
He then went on to become a recognised coach, bringing through young talent including his own son at his local club in the familyâs home city of Mannheim.
Now he is keeping a very close eye on Albion with regular trips to England to see his son play following his summer move from Ingolstadt.
Gross junior told The Argus: âUp to now he has come to every game.
âHe was himself a professional footballer and a coach but now he has finished his career. He now has time to watch me and watch the Premier League.
âHe knows a lot about the Bundesliga. He knows nearly every player in the Bundesliga so for him it is always nice to see the Premier League â and of course his son!
âHe comes over with friends, other coaches or with my mum and sister.
âI have a really good relationship with my family and friends and they come when they can.â
Gross is on the record as saying he owes an awful lot to his dad for guiding him through to the professional ranks.
The current Seagulls star was part of what his local club Kurpfalz Mannheim-Neckarau described as their golden generation when he played and his dad coached.
Pascal Gross has described that as âthe coolest time Iâve ever had - so much fun.â
The Kurpfalz club was also a rich seam of talent under the supervision of Gross senior.
They did their stuff at a neat an tidy little home ground right on the banks of the Rhine in the Neckarau district of Mannheim and have remained in contact with each other Several members of that side turned pro, including current Freiburg duo Marco Terrazino and Manuel Gulde.
Gross junior made his debut in the big league for Hoffenheim when he was still six weeks shor t of his 18th birthday. âToo young,â was his dadâs verdict.
The current Albion man played for Dadâs old side Karlsruher but thought it was a good idea to branch out on his own.
He made his own name for himself after moving east to Ingolstadt.
But it became harder for his father to get to his matches.
He told The Argus: âMy father missed a lot of my football.
âWhen he was a coach and I was playing he couldnât see a lot of games.
âHe was my coach in the youth team. He trained me for five years and helped me a lot.
âAfter that he helped a team again so he couldnât see the games.
âWhen he does something he does it 100% so he had no time to watch my games.
âNow it is over for him over and itâs nice to see the games and be a bit more relaxed.
âItâs an easy trip. He has one hour to the airport and a one-hour flight from Frankfurt or Stuttgart.â
Asked if his dad was full of praise or more critical after a match, Gross replied: âCritical! Every game he can say you could do something better. No game is perfect.
âHe wants to make me better but itâs not as intense as it was in the youth team.
âHe gives me some advice if I want it. I can ask him, âWhat do you think about this situation?â and he will give me his opinion.
âHe doesnât just come out and tell me everything after a game. But I can ask him.â
Gross has been involved in all five goals scored by the Seagulls to date in the Premier League.
That is two goals, two assists and what they refer to in American sports as an assist for an assist when he flighted a free-kick on to the head of Dale Stephens for Tomer Hemed to finish against Newcastle.
âHe was more defensive than me,â he said of his dad. âAnd he played on the right-hand side.â
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