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Big match clash could test football fan's loyalty
11:39am Monday 22nd September 2008
Football mad Lewis Thomsett's loyalties could be divided on Wednesday when his two favourite teams take to the pitch.
The engineering student has been a lifelong fan of Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City who are due to thrash it out at Withdean stadium in the Carling Cup.
In a strange twist of fate, Wednesday also happens to be Lewis's 18th birthday and his mother Lisa Thomsett said tickets to the match were the best present he could possibly have. He will watch the match in the away stand with his father Barry and a friend.
Lewis, 17, a former Argus newspaper delivery boy, has been a Manchester City supporter since the day he was born and also supports Albion because they are his local team.
Mrs Thomsett said: "He has been a lifelong junior blue and a junior Seagull. In October 1997, he was a mascot for Manchester City when they played against Ipswich Town and he loved it.
"Then two years later he was a mascot for Albion when they played against Peterborough.
"He tries to go to the Manchester City games as much as he can but it's not always easy because he is working and Manchester is quite far.
Lewis, of Pelham Rise, Peacehaven, has a large collection of memorabilia for both teams including programmes, ticket stubs, football shirts, scarves and hats.
Mrs Thomsett said: "We have got the Brighton and Manchester City programme from 1982 and we think that was the last time they played each other.
"It's such a coincidence that the game is on his 18th birthday. We could not believe it when we found out.
"Lewis will be supporting Manchester City. I think his heart's always been with them. He's looking forward to the match. It's the best birthday present ever for him. You can't really top that."
Manchester City has been bought by an Abu Dhabi investment group in a deal believed to be worth up to £200 million.
The club's fortunes could not be more different to that tight finances at Albion, which is struggling to balance the books before the move to the new Falmer stadium in 2010.
But fans are optimistic that Albion will win Wednesday's game.
It is the first time that Withdean has played host to a premier league team in a competitive match since 2001, when Southampton beat Albion in a league cup clash.
Don't miss The Argus for the build up and previews of the big match, and remember to send us your pictures on the night to 80360, starting your message with the word SUPIC, or email them to news@theargus.co.uk.
Let us know your predictions and thoughts on the big game by calling 01273 544543, emailing simon.barrett@theargus.co.uk, or leaving your comments below.
Your Say YourArgus
Jim the postman, Worthing west tarring says...
3:04pm Mon 22 Sep 08
With a small ground a team that have to show something to the manager and the fans the city big boys will wonder whats hit them.
Come on you SEAGULLS you can do this.
Gentleman Jim, North Brighton says...
4:29pm Tue 23 Sep 08
Losing to 8 1/2 men at home however was a disgrace.
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Lewis Thomsett supports both Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion
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Charismatic Andrew, Patcham says...
2:55pm Mon 22 Sep 08
Don't be ridiculous. How could he have been a Manchester City fan from the day he was born? On the day I was born I was recovering from a slightly pointy head as a result of passing through the birth canal. I was traumatised after a long and difficult labour. I was covered in a white coating which protected my skin from the constant exposure to amniotic fluid in the womb. I had my nasal passages cleared with a suction pump and I was given a vitamin K by injection.
The last thing on my mind was which football team I was going to support.